Woodlands Villager - News
Township makes move to speed up consolidation
By T.L. HAMILTON
The Woodlands Township made several moves Wednesday to usher in an accelerated consolidation of staff from the township and Community Associations of The Woodlands.
Township president Don Norrell presented a detailed plan on key tasks the two entities would undertake, and when the tasks should be completed, during a Wednesday board meeting.
Sixteen of the 18 tasks Norrell outlined will be completed by the end of 2009, with all tasks finished by June 2010.
Tasks included keeping the public and employees informed on the transition, phasing out the community association boards and uniting both entities’ financial departments.
After 2010, the township will be the only entity handling covenant administration, parks and recreation, The Woodlands Fire Department and EMS, garbage and recycling, law enforcement and the convention and visitors bureau. The township will be funded by sales taxes and an ad valorum tax.
Some steps were taken Wednesday toward the consolidation of the township’s financial department.
The board decided to extend the contract for Brian Pate, financial consultant, through March 31, 2009, at a cost of about $57,000.
Another passed motion will create an agreement with the Woodlands Community Service Corporation so Monique Sharp, vice president of finance for the corporation, can work with Pate on consolidating the entities’ financial records and eventually become part of the township’s staff by mid-December 2009.
“The reason for this measure is to phase out the consultant work and bring in some in-house finance employees,” Norrell said.
Extension of service agreements: The board also moved to extend the contracts with Stout Government Relations Consulting LLC, Education for Tomorrow Alliance, South County YMCA, The Friendship Center and the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Partnership.
Board member Tom Campbell expressed concerns that board members’ hands were tied as the extensions was presented too late in the year for the board to say no.
“There’s a lack of time for discussion or putting these contracts out for bid,” he said.
It would have been worthwhile to discuss whether or not the contract with the Friendship Center to provide transportation would be necessary for all of 2009 since the community associations are seeking to expand the existing trolley systems to serve the village centers, board member Peggy Hausman said.
“But this is at the last minute,” she said.
Campbell asked that consideration of these service agreements for the next budget cycle be reviewed in June instead of December to provide more time for discussion and bidding out.
Township president Don Norrell presented a detailed plan on key tasks the two entities would undertake, and when the tasks should be completed, during a Wednesday board meeting.
Sixteen of the 18 tasks Norrell outlined will be completed by the end of 2009, with all tasks finished by June 2010.
Tasks included keeping the public and employees informed on the transition, phasing out the community association boards and uniting both entities’ financial departments.
After 2010, the township will be the only entity handling covenant administration, parks and recreation, The Woodlands Fire Department and EMS, garbage and recycling, law enforcement and the convention and visitors bureau. The township will be funded by sales taxes and an ad valorum tax.
Some steps were taken Wednesday toward the consolidation of the township’s financial department.
The board decided to extend the contract for Brian Pate, financial consultant, through March 31, 2009, at a cost of about $57,000.
Another passed motion will create an agreement with the Woodlands Community Service Corporation so Monique Sharp, vice president of finance for the corporation, can work with Pate on consolidating the entities’ financial records and eventually become part of the township’s staff by mid-December 2009.
“The reason for this measure is to phase out the consultant work and bring in some in-house finance employees,” Norrell said.
Extension of service agreements: The board also moved to extend the contracts with Stout Government Relations Consulting LLC, Education for Tomorrow Alliance, South County YMCA, The Friendship Center and the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Partnership.
Board member Tom Campbell expressed concerns that board members’ hands were tied as the extensions was presented too late in the year for the board to say no.
“There’s a lack of time for discussion or putting these contracts out for bid,” he said.
It would have been worthwhile to discuss whether or not the contract with the Friendship Center to provide transportation would be necessary for all of 2009 since the community associations are seeking to expand the existing trolley systems to serve the village centers, board member Peggy Hausman said.
“But this is at the last minute,” she said.
Campbell asked that consideration of these service agreements for the next budget cycle be reviewed in June instead of December to provide more time for discussion and bidding out.
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