Potential Incorporation of Woodlands Township a Hot-Button Issue

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Members of the Woodlands Township debated last week whether or not to post any information on the township website about incorporating.

The issue arose after election fliers and mailers circulated last week and providing some contradictory information.

Board member John McMullan requested that the board discuss adding some clarifying information to
the township website and adding questions to the FAQ page to address what steps would need to be taken before The Woodlands could incorporate, and under what circumstances the cities of Houston and
Conroe could annex The Woodlands before the 2057 deadline to its Regional Participation Agreement, among other issues.

"There's a ton of misinformation flying around with the word 'fact' being used," said board member Gordy Bunch, referring to fliers and advertising put out by The Woodlands Concerned Taxpayers, a group started by former chairman of the board Bruce Tough.

The group's campaign warns of a 70 percent tax increase if The Woodlands incorporates now.

"There is no tax increase. There is no incorporation on the ballot. There is no timeline established," Bunch said. "We owe our residents a clear statement that this is not occurring. You're not going
to be taxed out of your house."

Board member Mike Bass agreed, but added that information coming from another source also is misleading residents, and felt the reside4ntys deserved a clarification from their leadership.

The board voted to table the discussion, 5-2, with Bunch and McMullan against.

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