[1. Call to Order.]
[00:00:05]
>> GOOD MORNING. SO GREAT TO SEE Y'ALL.
TODAY IS MONOPOLY, MONDAY, AUGU, 2026.
IT'S NOW 9 A.M. I CALL TO ORDER THIS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FORD BENT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.
PLEASE WELCOME TO THOSE IN THE COURTROOM AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE JOINING US THROUGH THE LIVE STREAM.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE HAVE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM.
NOW PROCEED TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2, PUBLIC COMMENT.
[2. Public Comments regarding item(s) on the Agenda. ]
>> YES, JUDGE, WE HAVE TWO. THE FIRST ONE IS MR. JIM RICE.
>> GOOD MORNING. >> COMMISSIONER MORALES,
COMMISSIONER PRESTAGE. >> COULD YOU LIFT THE MIC UP,
>> JUDGE WONG, COMMISSIONER MORALES, CUSTOMERSER PRESTAGE, COMMISSIONER MEYERS, COMMISSIONER MCCOY, GOOD
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS MORNING. MY NAME IS JIM RISE AND I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE CREATION OF A RE-INVESTMENT ZONE. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF RICE AND GARDNER CONSULTANTS, CHAIR OF THE FORD BENT COUNTY TOW CHORT AND THE RECENTAL PAST CHAIR OF THE FORD BENT REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP WHICH PUBLISHED THE FORT BEND 2050 PLAN MUCH THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE PROVIDED ME WITH INSIGHT INTO THE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY AND THE ISSUES WHICH MUST BE ADDRESSED TO SUPPORT CONTINUED GROWTH. I SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A RE-INVESTMENT ZONE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS... 1, RE-INVESTMENT ZONES HELP FORD FT BEND COUNTY COMPETE FOR INVESTMENTS WHICH CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR RESIDENTS, YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE. 2, THEY ALLOW NEW TAX VALUE CREATED BY DEVELOPMENT TO HELP FUND NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS DRAINAGE, ROADS, UTILITIES AND SITE ACCESS.
IN SIMPLE TERMS, GROWTH HELPS PAY FOR GROWTH.
3, FORT BEND COUNTY SHOULD HAVE EVERY RESPONSIBLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL AVAILABLE WHEN COMPETING FOR SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS, WHICH IS AND HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM GOAL OF OUR COUNTY. I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU ON COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SUPPORT THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF RE-INVESTMENT SO FORT BEND COUNTY CAN COMPETE FOR QUALITY JOBS, MAJOR INVESTMENT AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND SUPPORT FUTURE GROWTH. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS GERONIMO CORTINA AND HE'S ALSO HERE TO SPEAK ON GENDER ITEM 3.
>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE ONCE AGAIN.
I'M THE AUTHOR OF THE FORT BEND 2050 REPORT COMMISSIONED BY THE FORT BEND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP. AND I'M HERE ALSO TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF INVESTMENT ZONES. I BELIEVE THAT INVESTMENT ZONES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF HOW TO USE THE LEGAL -- ECONOMIC TOOLS FOR DEVELOPMENT.
ECONOMIC INVESTMENT IS NOT A BLANK CHECK, IT'S SOMETHING THAT PROJECTS STILL NEED TO BE APPROVED.
AND PROJECTS NEED TO ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC GOOD.
INVESTMENT ZONES ALSO HELP DEVELOP UNDERDEVELOPED PROPERTY INTO PRODUCTIVE BUSINESS, INTO JOBS, INTO MORE IMPORTANTLY QUALITY OF LIFE. THESE TOOLS THAT IS RE-INVESTMENT ZONES SUPPORT THAT WE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IN TERMS OF THE USE OF THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL.
WHEN WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS, WHEN WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPORTANT COMPETITION IN OTHER COUNTIES, OTHER STATES, OTHER PLACES, WE HAVE A TOOL THAT SOME OTHER PLACES DO NOT HAVE. SO I ENCOURAGE Y'ALL AND ENCOURAGE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SUPPORT THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF RE-INVESTMENT ZONES. SO IN FORT BEND COUNTY, WE CAN COMPETE FOR QUALITY JOBS, GOOD PAYING JOBS FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND MAJOR INVESTMENTS SO WE CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF
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OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> NO MORE PUBLIC SPEAKERS. >> ALL RIGHT, WONDERFUL.
BEFORE WE PROCEED, I WOULD LIKE TO -- THE RECORD TO REFLECT THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHAPTER 176 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, I HAVE COMPLETED AND FILED A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICER CONFLICTS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT FORM, CIS REGARDING TESLA. THE DISCLOSURE HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY RECORDS ADMINISTRATOR AND IS BEING MADE TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.
I ASK THAT THE RECORD REFLECT MY DISCLOSURE AND THE FILING OF FORM CIS. WITH THAT DISCLOSURE MADE, LET ME ASK IF THERE'S ANY COMMENT FROM MY COMMISSIONERS.
>> BEFORE WE TAKE UP TODAY'S BUSINESS, I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHY I'M HERE TODAY. I HAVE RETURNED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY BECAUSE MR. WONG HAS AGREED TO ABSTAIN FROM THIS ITEM. WE ARE HERE TO CONSIDER A RE-INVESTMENT ZONE, WHICH IS A TOOL TO DRAW ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO THE COUNTY. TODAY MR. WONG HAS CHOSEN TO STEP ASIDE BECAUSE HE HAS DISCLOSED THAT HE HAS LONG STANDING BUSINESS INTERESTS WITH COMPANIES THAT MAY LOOK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE DEVELOPMENTAL INCENTIVES.
BECAUSE OF THAT CONFLICT, HE HAS APPROPRIATELY AGREED TO RECUSE HIMSELF AND I RESPECT THAT DECISION.
BUT IT RAISES THE OBVIOUS QUESTION: IF MR. WONG CAN STEP ASIDE TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF A VOTE INVOLVING A COMPANY WITH WHICH HE HAS BUSINESS INTERESTS, WHY WON'T HE STEP ASIDE TO PROTECT THE INTEREST AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS? THAT IS ALL COMMISSIONER PRESTAGE AND I HAVE BEEN ASKING HIM TO DO WHILE THE COURTS DETERMINE WHETHER HE HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO EXERCISE THE DUTIES OF COUNTY JUDGE. INSTEAD, HE CONTINUES TO INSERT HIS DISPUTED VOTE INTO CONVENTION SHALL COUNTY BUSINESS WHILE ALSO DISMANTLING LONG STANDING PRACTICES DESIGNED TO PROTECT TRANSPARENCY AND GOOD GOVERNMENT.
THE AGENDA BRIEFING WHICH ALLOWED DEPARTMENTS TO VET PROPOSALS, COORDINATE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND IDENTIFY PROBLEMS BEFORE ITEMS REACH THIS COURT HAS BEEN UNILATERALLY ELIMINATED ELIMINATED. WE ARE NOW SEEING CONSEQUENTIAL ITEMS APPEAR AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR WITHOUT ADEQUATE DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW OR PUBLIC SCRUTINY.
AND WE ARE SEEING THE CONSEQUENCES.
THE FIRING OF TENURED STAFF AS A CONSEQUENCE FOR DOING HER JOB AND REPLACING HER WITH AN UNQUALIFIED MEMBER OF A COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICE STAFF.
LATE ON FRIDAY, HOPING THE PUBLIC WOULD NOT NOTICE, MR. WONG PUBLISHED AN AGENDA ITEM TO DISMANTLE THE OFFICE OF OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY ON THE AGENDA FOR THE COURT THIS THURSDAY.
STEALING HER STAFF, HER FUNDING AND HER AUTHORITY RIGHT AWAY FROM HER. WE MUST CALL THIS OUT FOR WHAT IT IS... POLITICAL RETRIBUTION DIRECTED AT OUR INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR CARRYING OUT HER CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVANT WHO WAS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF FORT BEND COUNTY TWICE AND RECOGNIZED THIS YEAR BY THE TEXAS DISTRICT AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION AS ITS 2026 CIVIL PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR.
WE SHOULD NOT USE THE MACHINERY OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PUNISH AN ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR DOING HER JOB.
SEPARATELY, THERE IS NOW AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE ASSOCIATE JUDGES. THIS IS AGGRAVATING BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY HAD THIS DEBATE. LAST YEAR, THIS COURT HEARD FROM JUDGES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, ATTORNEYS AND THE FORT BEND BAR ASSOCIATION AND REJECTED TYING THE CREATION OF TWO NEW DISTRICT COURTS TO THE ELIMINATION OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
THIS COURT NEVER MADE A COMMITMENT TO ELIMINATE THOSE JUDGES IN EXCHANGE FOR NEW COURTS, AND ASSOCIATE JUDGES MATTER. THEY MOVE DOCKETS, REDUCE BACKLOGS AND HELP PEOPLE GET THEIR DAY IN COURT.
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO ELIMINATE THEM, BRING THE DATA, BRING THOSE JUDGES BACK BEFORE THIS COURT AND MAKE THAT CASE PUBLICLY. DON'T UNDO A PREVIOUSLY VETTED DECISION AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR. THAT IS EXACTLY WHY TRANSPARENCY SEASONED PROCESS MATTER. SO TODAY, I WILL CONSIDER THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL ON ITS MERITS AND VOTE BASED ON WHAT I BELIEVE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF FORT BEND COUNTY.
BUT TODAY'S MEETING PROVES A LARGER POINT.
MR. WONG CAN RECUSE HIMSELF. BEFORE DULY ELECTED COMMISSIONERS CAN GOVERN. COUNTY BUSINESS CAN MOVE FORWARD AND THE COURTS CAN RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF HIS AUTHORITY WITHOUT CONTAMINATING EVERY CONSEQUENTIAL DECISION WE MAKE WITH UNNECESSARY LEGAL UNCERTAINTY.
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IF RECUSAL IS APPROPRIATE TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF TODAY'S VOTE, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE PEOPLE'S GOVERNMENT. TODAY, WE KNOW MR. WONG WILL STEP ASIDE TO PROTECT LESS BUSINESS INTERESTS.THE QUESTION IS WILL HE STEP ASIDE TO PROTECT OUR COUNTY'S INTEREST? SO FAR, UNFORTUNATELY, THE ANSWER HAS BEEN A RESOUNDING NO. BUT I REMIND EACH OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT THE PEOPLE'S INTEREST HAS TO COME FIRST.
>> ANY COMMENTS BY OTHER COURT MEMBERS? THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND JUST BE SURE THAT I'M STILL COUNTY JUDGE RUNNING THIS MEETING.
I WANT TO WELCOME OUR COMMISSIONER MCCOY, COMMISSIONER GRADE I COMING BACK,Y COMING BACK RECOGNIZING I'M COUNTY JUDGE RUNNING THIS MEETING.
>> THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE RECOGNIZING.
WE ARE HERE TO MOVE THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS FORWARD.
>> EXCUSE ME -- >> AND BECAUSE THE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE'S INTEREST,
WE ARE RETURNING. >> THANK YOU.
[3. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 9:00 a.m.: Conduct public hearing and take all appropriate action on the following matter:]
IT'S 9:09, WE'LL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3.PUBLIC HEARINGS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING MATTER. DO YOU HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON
THIS? >> I'M NOT SURE IF THERE'S ANY ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS THAT ARRIVED AFTER, BUT THIS IS THEIR TIME TO
HEARING NONE, LET'S GO AHEAD AND AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3.
>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CONDUCTED A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CREATION OF FORT BEND COUNTY RE-INVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 34 WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 3057 ACRES AND IS LOCATED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF FM762 AND FM 1994 IN FORT BEND COUNTY, PRECINCT 2, PURSUANT TO TAX CODE SECTION 312.201C.
>> THIS IS WHAT WE HEARD FROM IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION?
NO ONE HAS SIGNED UP? >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> ITEM 4 IS THE ACTION ITEM, RIGHT?
JUDGE, NO ONE HAS SHOWN UP. I MOST OF THAT WE CLOSE THE
[4. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:]
PUBLIC HEARING. >> ALL RIGHT, PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED. LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
>> 4. >> I MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEM 4 AS
>> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION?
>> AND CAN WE HAVE SOMEONE BRIEFLY EXPLAIN --
>> CAN YOU COME UP AND EXPLAIN THIS --
>> SO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO DO.
SO UNDERSTATE LAW, IN ORDER FOR THE COUNTY TO CONSIDER ANY POTENTIAL TAX ABATEMENTS DOWN THE ROAD, WE HAVE TO CREATE A RE-INVESTMENT ZONE. SO THIS IS JUST -- FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM AN ADMINISTRATIVE. AT A FUTURE DATE WE WILL COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH A PROJECT, WITH MORE SPECIFICS REGARDING WHAT IT WOULD MEAN FOR THE COUNTY FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER. THANK YOU.
>> WAIT, CARLOS. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AROUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OVER THE LAST WEEK OR TWO.
WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WILL THE PUBLIC HAVE TO GIVE THEIR
INPUT ON THIS? >> WE WILL HAVE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, WHEN THE PROJECT COMES IN, SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT MAY COME IN, WE DO HAVE TO SAME THING WE HAD THIS MORNING, WHERE WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME AND SPEAK ON BEHALF OR AGAINST ANY PROJECT THAT MAY BE CONSIDERING LOCATING IN FORT BEND COUNTY.
THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? I CALL FOR THE VOTE. ALL IN FAVOUR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. ANY ABSTAIN DERBY ABSTAIN, -- , MOTION PASSES 4-0 AND 1 ABSTAIN. ITEM 5, DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO
ADJOURN THIS MEETING? >> WE'RE ADJOURNED.
>> MOTION CARRIED. SO MEETING ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. APPRECIATE IT.
(MEETING ADJOURNED)
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.