The Woodlands Township, TX

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Incorporation, Transition and Governance

1. How can I find the most recent FAQs?: Please visit www.thewoodlandsincorporationstudy.com for the most up-to-date FAQs and information.

2. Could a newly incorporated city adopt a 65 and older or disabled tax freeze (also known as a tax ceiling)?: Link to response

3. Will the 2007 legal agreement entered into by the Township to continue to enforce our covenants be binding on a future city, whether it be a General Law or Home Rule City?: Link to response

4. I escrow taxes. How do I know if The Woodlands Township Property Tax has been paid?: The best way to determine if The Woodlands Township Property Tax has been paid on the property or properties you own, check the Tax Assessor Collector website for either Montgomery County or Harris County. The phone number is 936-539-7897.

5. When will The Woodlands become a city? Why are we not a city now?

The Woodlands was built as an unincorporated master-planned community within Montgomery County and the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston. This means that prior to 1999, the City of Houston had the ability to annex The Woodlands with a vote of the Houston City Council. Parts of The Woodlands were also built within the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the City of Conroe.

In 1999, an agreement was signed that in essence put a moratorium on the ability for Houston to annex The Woodlands and on the ability for The Woodlands to incorporate.

In late 2007, The Woodlands Township signed an agreement with the City of Houston, as well as the City of Conroe, that will allow The Woodlands to contribute to projects of regional and mutual benefit (such as better access to the Houston Medical Center or extending the Hardy Toll Road) in exchange for those cities releasing The Woodlands from potential annexation for a period of 50 years. This agreement gives The Woodlands freedom to determine its future governance once the moratorium agreement expires. Based on legal requirements related to these agreements, the earliest date that an election could be held to determine whether or not The Woodlands residents choose to become a city was May 2014.

In August 2012, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors adopted Resolution 011-12 related to the recent 18-month governance study and community outreach efforts. The resolution states that an incorporation election will be deferred indefinitely. Transition and Governance

6. When are the Township elections?: The Village Associations and the Residential Design Review Committees are elected annually in February. The Woodlands Township Board of Directors election is held in November. Elections

7. What is the current property tax rate?: Current rates can be viewed online at the Montgomery County website.

8. What exemptions are applicable towards The Woodlands Township tax?: The Woodlands Township Board of Directors adopted a resolution April 2010 establishing a $25,000 residential homestead exemption for individuals who are disabled or are sixty-five (65) years of age or older. The other applicable homestead exemption is the State-mandatory Veterans exemption which will vary from 25 percent to 100 percent depending on disability rating by the Veteran's Administration. Other exemptions provided apply to personal property and are also State-mandated exemptions: Lease vehicles not used for earnings, and the Freeport exemption (goods in transit).
The forms to apply for these exemptions can be requested at the appropriate Central Appraisal Districts. In Montgomery County, call 936-756-3354, Metro Line 936-441-2186, or visit the Montgomery Central Appraisal District website. If in Harris County, call 713-957-7800 or visit the Harris County Appraisal District website

9. In the event of a sale of a home, would the seller be reimbursed of the tax for the remaining months of the year by the buyer?: Prorated taxes between buyers and sellers are calculated by title companies at the closing of the transaction in accordance with applicable laws and regulations that govern such matters. Please contact your title company representative for questions regarding prorated taxes due at closing.

10. Is The Woodlands, including the new village of Creekside Park, subject to annexation by Houston?: In 2007, The Woodlands Township, including The Village of Creekside Park, entered into an agreement (with Houston) which provides that the City of Houston shall not take any action to annex any part of The Woodlands Township for a term of 50 years. This agreement also provides that on or after May 29, 2014, The Woodlands Township may incorporate as a municipality or adopt an alternate form of local government under Texas State law and upon doing so, will be released from the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston.

11. Does Harper’s Landing have representation in The Woodlands Township and the Village Associations?: The neighborhood of Harper’s Landing is located within the boundaries of The Woodlands Township. Residents in Harper’s Landing are able to vote in The Woodlands Township Election. Voters must be registered though, to vote in this election. Additionally, the neighborhood of Harper’s Landing is located within the Village of College Park and is part of the College Park Village Association. As a courtesy, the bylaws and a link to the College Park Village Association website are included on The Woodlands Township website.

In addition to the College Park Village Association, Harper’s Landing residents are eligible to run for and vote for the College Park Residential Design Review Committee (RDRC). The election for the RDRC and Village Association positions are usually held in February and information is available on the Township Election website.