Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 46

Tropical Storm Beta has tightened up projections on path and rainfall. As of now, we are seeing a path into Matagorda County and moving Northeast along the coast of Texas and into Louisiana. Rains in the Fort Bend County area are to begin Sunday morning and progress throughout the week dropping a projected 4-6” over 5 days into Thursday 9/24. LMS is making final preparations in all districts per LID EAPs and will patrol each district throughout the week to insure proper drainage.

The Brazos River is currently still below Action Stage, sitting at 14ft which allows all districts to be able to drain water via gravity flow. At this time, predictions are showing the rainfall along the Brazos River watershed to be minimal, so it is possible we will remain on gravity flow for the duration of this Tropical Storm. Please note, as always, during high intensity rains you can expect high water throughout the district and severe street flooding until areas are able to drain.

Please refer to the Fort Bend County Homeland Security and Emergency Management website for accurate information throughout the week.

There remains significant uncertainty the track for Tropical Depression No. 22. We should anticipate more changes in its forecast, but currently the Greater Houston area is within the Cone of Uncertainty. The forecast shows TD 22 moving in a NW direction over the western Gulf of Mexico as it strengthens into a Tropical Storm (Wilfred) today or possibly tomorrow morning. By Saturday, conditions could push TD 22 in a western direction toward the south Texas coast potentially reaching Hurricane Strength as it stalls off the south Texas Coast. This storm due to its movement could bring some Tropical Storm Force Winds t the central and south Texas coastal areas, but water (storm surge and rain) is the biggest threat to this system. These impacts could start as early as Sunday night into Monday morning as squalls begin to approach the coast. The heaviest amounts of rain are currently along and off the coast with 10 to 12 inches and widespread amounts in the 15 to 20 inches over the Gulf of Mexico. The current 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) has the western portions of our Region, including Fort Bend, Harris, and Waller Counties, possibly receiving between 2 to 6 inches over the next 7 days. The majority of this rainfall could occur Sunday evening into Thursday morning. Based on the uncertainty, these rainfall amounts will likely change.

As mentioned, there is currently low confidence in the overall track and development of TD 22 and changes in this forecast are possible. The District’s Engineer and Operator are continuing to monitor the conditions. The District’s facilities are operational and ready if needed.

We encourage everyone to stay informed by visiting your favorite local weather source, including the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, and West Gulf River Forecast Center. If you have not ready done so, please remember to sign up for Emergency Updates from Fort Bend County.

 

Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 46 will hold a public hearing on a proposed tax rate for the tax year 2020 on Tuesday, September 22nd at 11:00 a.m., by videoconference at https://zoom.us/j/95839244228 and by teleconference at +1-346-248-7799, Meeting ID: 958 3924 4228.

Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the tax rate that is adopted and on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property. The change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in the taxable value of all other property determines the distribution of the tax burden among all property owners.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.