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WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 22, 2017
FBISD authorizes reappraisal Staff Reports FOR FORTBEND STAR.
During its board meeting on Nov. 13, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution to request a reappraisal of homes and businesses located within Fort Bend ISD that were damaged during Hurricane Harvey. FBISD joins other Fort Bend County taxing entities in authorizing reappraisals that would give qualified residents and business owners some tax relief for certain months of the 2017 tax year. “Hurricane Harvey impacted many of our community members,” said board president Kristin Tassin. “In requesting the reappraisal of homes and businesses, we are recognizing the continuing effects of the storm, and we hope that this will help our taxpayers as they continue the recovery process.” Under the tax code, the governing body of a taxing unit located partly or entirely inside an area declared to be a disaster area by the Governor of Texas may authorize the reappraisal of all property damaged in the disaster at its market value immediately after the disaster. “Fort Bend ISD’s action means that taxpayers impacted by Hurricane Harvey will be able to have their property reappraised, and they will receive prorated taxes on the property for this tax year,” said Steve Bassett, Fort Bend ISD’s chief financial officer. “The application of the reduced value is only for the days following the damage of the disaster, but this will still result in approximately four months of a reduced value for our taxpayers.” Based on the information presented by the Central Appraisal District, FBISD has calculated that the benefit to approximately 4,300 Harvey-impacted taxpayers (representing an estimated market value of $1.462 billion) would amount to an estimated $348 in relief for the tax year. However, those who are over 65 who have value frozen at a set ceiling may not achieve tax relief because their value is higher than the cap and the reappraisal may not dip below the set ceiling.
FBC Appraisal District to consider the damage Staff Reports
Property owners affected by Hurricane Harvey may be eligible to have their homes re-appraised by the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District. Some taxing units have authorized a reappraisal of property damaged during Hurricane Harvey. That action by the entities requires the district to reappraise the affected properties upon notification. It is imperative for the district to receive assistance in identifying all damaged properties. In order for the district to thoroughly identify which properties suffered damage, residents should submit evidence via the website at http://www.fbcad. org/Forms-Submissions/Disaster-Reappraisal, by mail or in person at 2801 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, TX 77471. Evidence may include any of the following: photos of damage, insurance estimates, contractor estimates, FEMA documents, receipts for repairs due to disaster damage and/or for properties that flooded. Also, please include the amount (feet, inches, etc.) of water that caused any damage. This information will be used to assist the district in determining the damage to the property. Once the damage assessment is completed, the district will send a Natural Disaster Notice of Appraised Value to all property owners that were affected. The reappraisal notice will highlight the Aug, 28, 2017, and the Jan.
Primary Election dates Feb. 5: Last day to register to vote Feb. 20: First day of early voting March 2: Last day of early voting March 6: Primary Election
General Election dates Oct. 9: Last day to register to vote Oct. 22: First day of early voting Nov. 2: Last day of early voting Nov. 6: Election Day
Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 Deirdre Dickson-Gilbert announced her candidacy for Fort Bend County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2. DicksonGilbert filed for election as a Democrat. State Representative, House District 27 State Rep. Ron Reynolds announced his intention to run for his fifth term in the Democratic Primary. He was elected in 2010 as the first black state representative from Fort Bend County since Reconstruction. Wilvin J. Carter, an attorney, announced his candidacy for the position of Texas State Representative for House District 27 in the 2018 Democratic Primary. Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 4 Judge Attorney Amy Mitchell has filed to run for Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 4 on the Republican ticket. She currently serves on the Sugar Land City Council.
Candidates Academy
Have you ever thought of running for office or being part of a political campaign? The Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and 180 Messaging are organizing a Candidates Academy – a comprehensive series dedicated to training future politicians and those that want to work on campaigns. The goal is to assist the learning curve and play a small role in getting qualified and informed constituents into
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Hurricane reappraisal
Compiled by Joe Southern
Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees, Position 2 Grayle James will seek re-election to the Fort Bend Independent School District Board of Trustees, Position 2. James is currently serving her second term as a trustee and is the immediate past president of the board.
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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 40 • No. 15
More hats tossed into political ring The list of candidates filing for election and re-election continues to grow. Several candidates have recently announced their bids for office. Below is a listing of some of the more recent filings:
Luke Matthews selected to play in Army All American Bowl
FOR FORTBEND STAR.
Homes and businesses to receive tax releif
JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.
Students sign letters of intent to play in college
the process. The program will be nonpartisan and highlight key expectations for anyone running, regardless of their affiliation. The program consists of four breakfast sessions. Nov. 28 – The Internal Campaign Should you run? Do you understand the time commitment? Do you know the financial commitment? Are you ready to take this step? We break down the 10 essential questions you must ask before running. Then we explore the first steps in building or being a part of a campaign. Dec. 12 – External Alignment You’ve decided to run. Now you need to learn how to effectively promote your campaign. We start with the goal of alignment: how you synchronize your audience’s thoughts with what you want them to believe after they see your message. From there, we discuss the tools of the trade. From process to tactics, it is an in-depth crash course in messaging. Jan. 9 – Ethical Fundraising
SEE ELECTION, PG 2
(Photo by Corey Jefferson)
Homes flooded like these in Riverstone during Hurricane Harvey are eligible for re-appraisals by the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District.
1, 2017, values. The first portion of the value will be based on the Jan. 1 certified value, which totals 240 days or 65 percent. The second portion of the taxes will be based on the Aug. 28 disaster value, which will be for a total of 125 days or 35 percent. Both values will be added together for the adjusted appraised value. Property owners will have 30 days to
protest the natural disaster value. Affected property owners will still receive a regular tax bill from the taxing entities. Once the reappraisal damage assessment is complete, the entities that authorized the reappraisal will receive a supplement record from the district. The entities will then process the district supplement, and will send a supplemental tax
bill for the damaged property. This will only be for the entities that have authorized the reappraisal. It is important that the district is informed of any changes, temporary or otherwise. Those with a change of address should immediately notify the district in writing via email at info@fbcad. org, by mail or in person.
Missouri City resumes trash can fines Staff Reports FOR FORTBEND STAR.
In the months after Hurricane Harvey, Missouri City suspended enforcement of trash screening and fence and debris violations to assure homeowners in all communities had an opportunity to focus on rebuilding and recovering from the storm. The deferment will continue through the end of November. Then, starting on Friday, Dec. 1, code enforcement officers will resume issuing warnings and citations for trash screening offenses. On Feb. 1, staff will resume enforcing fence and debris regulations. “We implemented the grace period to assist our citizens during an unprecedented public emergency,” said City Manager Anthony J. Snipes. “And, as part of our commitment to superior customer service, especially following a crisis such as Harvey, staff wanted to provide residents adequate
notification of the December first plan of action.” Snipes said code initiatives are integral in keeping the city landscape clean and green and a collaborative effort by citizens and staff in that regard is reflective of the city’s designation as a Platinum Scenic City. The distinction reflects the area’s utilization of strict ordinances and regulations, resulting in increased economic development and property values. Missouri City is the only municipality in the region to hold a Platinum-level Scenic City designation. To assure strategic enforcement of codes and consistency overall, Snipes convened a Nuisance Abatement Committee in August, 2016 to develop the philosophy, processes, communications and means to measure the outcomes and reporting out on code enforcement initiatives. “The task force is making strides and includes employees in my office, code enforcement, police, fire and rescue services, development
services, legal and communications,” he said. “Based on recommendations the committee made to City Council last year, members unanimously approved an ordinance that establishes graduated minimum penalties for certain violations, including solid waste and recycling receptacle screening.” Council approved fines for violation of the Solid Waste Receptacle Placement ordinance which include $50 for a first conviction, $250 for the second conviction, and $500 for three or more convictions. “There are a high number of trash screening violations citywide and the December sweep will serve as a reminder to homeowners that any device used for trash collection or storage must be screened from public view,” said Code Enforcement Supervisor Cynthia Rex. “Code of Ordinance also prohibits trash and trash containers being placed at the curb prior to 6 p.m. the evening before scheduled collection and after midnight of the scheduled collection day.”
Knights make a living by dying in the jousts at TRF By Joe Southern JSOUTHERN@FORTBENDSTAR.
It’s not often one makes a living falling off a horse and sword fighting to the death, but that happens on a regular basis for Kent Shelton and the performers from the Hanlon-Lees Action Theater. Shelton and his company put on the jousts each season for the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, just north of Magnolia. “Something always hurts. We try to take the fall so to speak, but yes, we’re falling and it’s all part of the joust,” he said.” People want to see someone (Photo by Joe Southern) get knocked off the horse, that’s what The Spanish knight shatters his lance on the shield of the English knight jousting is.” Based out of Luther, Okla., the during a joust at the Texas Renaissance Festival. The knights usually troupe tours the country performing break about five lances a day during the performances. their jousting act at renaissance festivals. When they aren’t wearing suits of competes against knights representing with it and we do three to four differarmor and falling off horses, they shoot France, Germany and Spain. ent shows a day. They’re all different ’em up in a Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. “This is what we call theatrical joust- and they build to the finale show which Shelton is the star of the show at TRF, ing as opposed to that wham, bam, playing Sir Thomas, the English knight. slamming stuff, which to me is not that SEE KNIGHTS, PG 10 For four shows a day each weekend he interesting. We try to put a storyline