In November 2013 Fort Bend County voters overwhelmingly approved the County’s mobility bond, but thanks to the Texas Public Information Act we now know WHO claimed credit for passage of the burdening property owners with repayment of $184.9 million bond package debt.
On page seven of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Review, the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, in their own words, described their Geo Political Problem Solving success:
“Stated simply, one of our charges is dealing with problems on a community wide basis, wherever possible and practical. This comes in the form of issue advocacy both for development and issues that positively affect our community as well as working to defeat issues or development that negatively impacts our community. This is broadly referred to as public policy within the organizational functions of the GFBEDC.”
“On the public policy front, the EDC remains active in a number of areas essential to continued growth and success of the county. Substantial effort and time was spent over the fiscal year on the following areas:
- Keep Fort Bend Moving—Provided advocacy for passage of essential mobility enhancements throughout the county*
Three months later—on September 25, 2014 and October 7th, 2014, Jeff Wiley, President of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council and Robert Hebert, County Judge, executed a renewal agreement between the GFBEDC and Fort Bend County
For the period October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015 and in exchange for $250,000 of County taxpayer support the GFBEDC agreed to administer the County’s program for local economic development.
In the Scope of Services the GFBEDC agreed to develop a program to solicit businesses for location in Fort Bend County, implement a marketing plan and make recommendations necessary for Fort Bend County to compete more successfully for business and industry.
Exit question: Is the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council a “governmental entity” under the Texas Public Information Act?
Stay tuned.
* That’s a really nice way of saying “provided advocacy for passage of the bonds”.