Author: FBCWCID 3

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate

Residents of Fort Bend County Water Control and Improvement District No. 3 (WCID #3) should be aware of the upcoming public hearing regarding the proposed tax rate for the 2024 tax year. The hearing is scheduled for September 20, 2024, at 11:30 A.M., and will be held at 7930 W. Grand Parkway, Suite 100, Richmond, TX.

What’s New?

The proposed tax rate for 2024 is $0.555 per $100 of property value, which is a slight decrease from the previous year’s rate of $0.560 per $100. Although the tax rate is decreasing by 0.89%, the average appraised value of homes in the district has increased from $739,634 to $800,699. This means that, despite the lower tax rate, the average homeowner will see an increase of approximately $301.92 in their annual property tax bill, a 7.28% increase from last year.

Why It Matters

Understanding these changes is important for managing your financial planning. Even with a reduced tax rate, the increase in property values can lead to a higher tax bill. This shift highlights the importance of staying informed about property tax assessments and how they impact your overall tax obligations.

Get Involved

The public hearing is an opportunity for residents to express their opinions and learn more about how the proposed tax rate might affect them. It’s crucial to participate in these discussions, as they directly impact your finances and the allocation of tax burdens across the district.

For more detailed information, including specific figures and potential impacts, please refer to the full notice provided by Fort Bend County W.C.I.D. #3. Staying informed and involved is key to ensuring that your voice is heard in decisions that affect our community.

Lake 1 Renovation Update

The renovation work on Lake 1 is now set to start within the next two weeks. The contractor selected to do the renovation has been delayed due to the wet spring and summer as well as the recent hurricane causing issues in completing current projects. Two fish harvests have been done and the lake level has been allowed to drop naturally by turning off the water well. The remaining water will be pumped out of the lake. We anticipate some odors in the initial renovations as the biologic material in the lake bottom dries out and rots. The truck traffic will be high as the lake bottom is removed and the new clay is hauled in to line the lake. Please bear with us as the renovation is underway. Once the work on Lake 1 is completed it will be filled and restocked with fish from other lakes and work will begin on Lake 4 to do the same process.

Lake 1 Renovation

The engineering work has been completed on the renovation to Lake 1 that will reduce the amount of water required to maintain the water level.  The plans are with the necessary state agencies for approval and bids will be sent out after the plans have been approved.   Work on the lake is anticipated to begin in May or June in the normal dry season to minimize work stoppages.  In anticipation of the planned start the water wells that feed Lake 1 have been turned off and the water level is being monitored for the rate of water loss.  As the lake level drops residents will notice that the dirt lake bottom will be exposed.  The lake will not drain completely before work begins but the lower level will reduce the time needed to perform the renovation since the crews can have access to the lake.  A fish harvest is planned for mid April to recover the fish and place them in various lakes within the community.  As the water level drops further an additional harvest will be made to remove as many as possible and place them in the community lakes.  We hope to minimize the loss of fish as much as possible.  More information will be provided as the start of the renovation nears.