District Updates

Hello Residents!

The Board of Directors of Fort Bend County MUD No. 46 would like to offer some recent updates going on within our District. We hope these will allow everyone to stay up-to-date with our activities and understand how we are here to better serve you!

Belmont Shore Walking Trail

As many of you have seen or even begin to utilize, we have designed and completed an overlapping 1-mile walking trail around the detention pond within the Colony Lakes neighborhood. The trail allows our residents to enjoy fresh air while appreciating time for health and wellness. We have installed multiple benches and trash receptacles around the trail for your convenience as well as informative signage regarding the trail. We hope everyone is able to check out our new project and benefit from it.

New Fountains

We have authorized the installation of two new fountains within the Belmont Shore detention pond to add to the aesthetics of the new walking trail.

New Fencing

New fencing has been installed on the west side of the walking trail to prevent hogs and alligators from entering the trail and detention pond. The fence will add another layer of security to keep our residents safe while using the walking trail.

Pump Station

The design phase of the construction of a District pump station is well underway. A pump station allows the district to better manage the flow of water during heavy rain conditions and to prevent flooding within the District.

Mowing Services

We have recently hired Gruene Landscaping to maintain the fine mowing around the detention pond and surrounding areas. We look forward to working with Gruene Landscaping and their efforts to keep our walking trail looking beautiful.

MUD Property Taxes

The Board of Directors has taken measures to simplify the taxpaying process and to save MUD residents taxes. The Board of Directors voted to use the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector to collect MUD taxes, saving MUD residents money and consolidating your tax bill.

Effective April 1, 2020, Fort Bend County will assume delinquent tax collections for the District, and your MUD 46 taxes will be included on your tax bill from Fort Bend County for 2021.

You will not receive a separate bill from MUD 46. To obtain a copy of your bill, please contact the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector at 281-342-3411.

Weekly Brazos River Outlook

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 11.16. The Brazos River is slightly rising due to rainfall and releases that occurred upstream of Bryan/College Station over the past week or so. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

The excessive heat continues this week with limited to no chance for rain through the weekend with highs in the mid to upper 90s and lows in the mid to upper 70s. Based on the NWS 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF), the Brazos River Watershed, including Fort Bend County, should see less than 0.1 inch of rainfall over the next 7 days.

Reservoir Status

Weekly Brazos River Outlook

The Brazos River in Richmond is currently at Gage Elevation 9.37. Based on the 7-day extended forecast, no flooding along the Brazos River through Fort Bend County is anticipated.

This Week

We will start the week with slightly elevated rain chances (25% to 50%) with the highest chance for rain on Tuesday. The remainder of the week should include Sunny to Partly Cloudy Skies with highs in the mid to upper 90s and lows in the mid to upper 70s. Based on the NWS 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF), the lower Brazos River Watershed, including Fort Bend County, should see less than ½ of rainfall with portions of the upper watershed potentially receiving up to 1.5 inches over the next 7 days.

Reservoir Status

What You Should Know About Hurricanes

Call to Action from Commissioner DeMerchant – Property Tax Relief

Dear Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Residents,

This past week most of us received our 2020 Notice of Appraised Value with increases in our taxable property values. This came at a time when most of us have anxiety and fear regarding our job security, paying our mortgages, and other expenses. The increased property tax burden resulting from the surge in property valuations will harshly affect and compound our hardships.

Many of you have contacted me regarding your increased valuations. I immediately contacted Fort Bend County’s Appraisal District to provide instant relief to our residents. Even though they were very sympathetic to the current situation, this requires our State Legislators, Attorney General, and Governor to make an exemption. In addition to my letter to Governor Abbott, Attorney General Paxton, and our State Representatives and Senators, I am calling on you to reach out to our State officials respectfully requesting and strongly urging the following:

  • Roll back the 2020 valuations to the 2019 valuations
  • Create payment plans without fees
  • Reduce late fees
  • Extend deadlines
  • Change payment due dates

To make it easier, I have provided their information below as well as link – https://www.texastribune.org/directory/#txhouse

Thank you. I hope you and yours stay healthy. Together we will make a difference.

SAMPLE LETTER / EMAIL

Dear Governor, Attorney General, State Senators and State Representatives,

For most of us, our homes are the most expensive item we will ever purchase. A home is more than a residence. It is a family dwelling place, shelter, and refuge from the outside world. I recently received my 2020 property valuation and was shocked with increase in taxable values. This increase comes at time when job security, paying home mortgages, and other expenses weigh very heavily on my family.

The disastrous situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, downturn in the economy at all levels, and the alarmingly ill-timed record-high property tax appraisal valuations collectively pose a danger to my health, welfare, and safety. I respectfully request and strongly urge all state governmental officials, representatives, senators, and directors of the Fort Bend County Appraisal District in taking immediate action with the following:

  • Roll back the 2020 valuations to the 2019 valuations
  • Create payment plans without fees
  • Lower late fees
  • Extend deadlines
  • Change payment due dates.

Thank you.

SAMPLE PHONE CONVERSATION / MESSAGE

Hello, My name is ____________, I am a Fort Bend County resident. The reason why I am calling you is for you to take immediate action regarding property tax relief and on the following:

  • Roll back the 2020 valuations to the 2019 valuations
  • Create payment plans without fees
  • Lower late fees
  • Extend deadlines
  • Change payment due dates.

The disastrous situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, downturn in the economy, and record-high property tax appraisal valuations collectively pose a danger to my health, welfare, and safety. Thank you.

Office of the Governor Greg Abbott

P.O. Box 12428
Austin Texas 78711
(512) 463-2000
https://gov.texas.gov/contact

Office of the Attorney General Ken Paxton

PO Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
800-252-8011
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/contact-us-online-form

Office of State Representative Rick Miller – District 26

Room E1.304
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0710
Rick.miller@house.texas.gov

Office of State Senator Borris Miles – District 13

P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0113
borris.miles@senate.texas.gov

Office of State Representative Ron Reynolds – District 27

Room E1.320
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0494
ron.reynolds@house.texas.gov

Office of State Senator Joan Huffman – District 17

P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0117
Joan.Huffman@senate.texas.gov

Office of State Representative Gary Gates – District 28

Room CAP GW.11
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0657
gary.gates@house.texas.gov

Office of State Senator Lois Kolkhorst – District 18

P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0118
Lois.Kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov

Office of State Representative Phil Stephenson – District 85

Room E2.902
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0604
Phil.Stephenson@house.texas.gov

Emergency Preparedness

Fort Bend County has experienced destructive high water events in the recent years. We must be prepared not only during Hurricane Season but all year round.

With this in mind, Fort Bend County Commissioner Ken R. DeMerchant would like to share some important Emergency Preparedness tips with our residents.