#hcfcd

[mrstephenscorner-acts]

[mrstephenscorner-acts]

Equality funding and projects for Black and Brown communities never guaranteed even when its known by all entities that there’s been decades of neglect and no services.

[mrstephenscorner-acts]

Flooding In HarriS County, Houston Texas

Commissioners want tax increase or reallocation of funds to fight flooding By MIHIR ZAVERI | August 10, 2016 Harris county's four commissioners said Wednesday they could support either a property tax increase or reallocation of funds in the county budget to better fund flood control projects after a series of storms and floods this spring destroyed property and claimed the lives of more than a dozen people. On a conservative county court dominated by Republicans, the sentiment for more spending comes as the public is increasingly wary of damage wrought by the floods. Anger has been growing in neighborhoods across the county where civic leaders say flood control efforts have not kept pace with development, and attorneys representing one neighborhood have gone so far as to sue the city. Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack said he would support a tax increase if there was a concrete plan on what to do with the extra revenue, and Gene Locke of Precinct 1 said through a spokeswoman he could likely get behind such a measurebut also would want the federal government to help pay more for flood control projects. The two other commissioners - Jack Cagle in Precinct 4 and Jack Morman in Precinct 2 - said they would not support increasing the tax rate but could support reallocating funds to tackle flooding problems. County Judge Ed Emmett declined to comment, but said through a spokesman he would not weigh in before a specific proposal was on the table. The discussion about a possible property tax rate increase was sparked by recent comments Radack made at a meeting with a civic group in Cypress, which was recently hard-hit by flooding. "I will tell you right now, I will vote for a tax increase for the Harris County Flood Control District," Radack said to dozens in the audience last week, noting that he's the only commissioner on court who has ever voted for a property tax increase. "But I'm one person. I'm not criticizing my colleagues. I'm just telling you this. That's the way it is." On Wednesday, Radack reiterated his support for a tax increase, but qualified his position somewhat saying he would want to see a list of projects vetted by the public and by county government and would want to involve the city of Houston and the federal government in helping fund the projects. He said he would want to have county voters weigh in on a potential bond issue that outlined that list of projects. "I would support a tax increase for flood control, I would support it," he said. "Now bear in mind, you don't just have a tax increase without a plan." The Harris County Flood Control District receives about $160 million each year, with roughly $40 million tied to previous debt service and another $60 million for maintenance and operations, said county budget officer Bill Jackson. That leaves about $60 million each year for new capital projects. But the amount recommended for several recent years has been something close to $200 million, said Mike Talbott, the district's executive director. "That's just trying to be all things to all people," Talbott said. Talbott said the wish list could include helping the 100,000 households currently in the flood plain and which are in danger of flooding, among other projects including flood reduction on the area's waterways and their tributaries. "How do you prioritize and how do you get the funding to be all things to all people?" Talbott said. "The practical matter is how do we best utilize the funds we do get and try to keep a lot of things moving at the same time?" The tax rate for the flood control district is currently about 4 cents per $100 of assessed property value, Jackson said. That includes the amount designated directly for the flood control district - 2.7 cents per $100 - as well as a chunk that's being used by the county to pay down debt. The flood control district's property tax rate can be raised by commissioners to no more than 30 cents per $100, Jackson said. Morman was adamant, however, that he would not support an overall tax increase to solve the problem. "I'm a homeowner, most of my constituents are homeowners, we already pay enough property taxes," Morman said. "It's kind of like enough is enough at some point." Morman said he could also support reallocation of funds, but did not know exactly where that money would come from. Locke could in theory support a tax rate increase, though he would need to see the final plans and would want the federal government to help pay for more flood control projects, spokeswoman Mary Benton said. Cagle said he would not support an overall tax increase, but would support reallocating funds toward flood control from the county's public hospital district. In the past, they had been reallocated toward the hospital district and away from flood control, he said. "I believe the taxpayers are interested in a reallocation of the tax base back to making flood control the priority that it once was," Cagle said. Radack, a Republican and 28-year veteran of the county commissioners court, raised the issue of a tax increase while describing the pinch declining federal funding has put on the flood control district as well as the more than $1 billion the county directs toward the criminal justice system and the public hospital system. Radack also stirred controversy by saying last week some flood victims may have liked being flooded. "There are some people, frankly, over the years, many years I've been doing this, that frankly enjoy floods," he told the audience. "They like to see a flood about every seven years because they want new cars, they want their homes redone." Residents, including many flood victims, took to social media criticizing Radack's comments as indifferent toward the impact floods have had on the region. Radack said Wednesday his comment was "misinterpreted" and that he was describing how some people take advantage of federal aid and insurance payouts, filing fraudulent claims and possibly causing flood insurance rates to increase. "I resent that for the people who really need the money and deserve the money," he said. Reporter E-mail: [email protected] Comments : The city has to address their problems also with HCFCD, this is a multi - jurisdiction problem.

[mrstephenscorner-acts]

Infrastructure Racism

I love this city and its responsiveness. After flooding in Westbury 4 times in less than a year the city and county are actively looking for solutions. So sad for those who flooded and are now fearful as they watch the water rise closer and closer to their homes when it rains. Something has changed as these homes were dry for 40 years. This post makes we happy and hopeful. Westbury Drainage Infrastructure Action Plan Announced by Department of Public Works and Engineering The Westbury Community Engagement meeting on Thursday, April 21, 2016 provided the Department of Public Works and Engineering (PWE) with great information about the neighborhood. Public engagement with Westbury residents on long term solutions resulted in the residents helping PWE to understand areas needing immediate attention that would not have been known through just a field visit. PWE is reviewing ways to quickly provide a localized project to help mitigate some of the flooding in Westbury. Based on this community input, the study focus will include the length of Willow Waterhole Bayou that traverses Westbury. Using engineers already under contract with PWE, we expect to identify minor improvements or modifications to existing drainage infrastructure and then implement appropriate solutions in an expedited manner. A team of PWE consultants and engineers will walk-through the area this week to identify potential short-term actions to be taken in Westbury. Harris County Flood Control is also planning similar assessments of their drainage infrastructure serving this neighborhood. Boots on the ground experience is invaluable to PWE teams as we seek solutions. Westbury storm sewer inspection and cleaning is ongoing to ensure that all storm sewer capacity within the subdivision is available. A few locations were recently found in need of minor maintenance work which is being scheduled. Comment: why never a plan of action for our Black and Brown communities that have been flooding for 40 years, where services have been neglected for decades, where's their infrastructure drainage action plan??????