Fort Bend County’s months-long political stalemate is beginning to disrupt county operations, with officials warning Tuesday that planned employee raises could be eliminated, major infrastructure projects could be delayed and the proposed fiscal 2027 budget could lose millions in projected revenue.
During a budget workshop, finance officials warned that if Commissioners Court cannot assemble enough members to adopt next year’s tax rate, the county would lose about $21 million in revenue, likely eliminating planned employee raises and delaying major road, parks and flood-control projects.
Battle over judge’s seat stalls county operations
The stalemate stems from a months-long legal battle over whether acting County Judge Daniel Wong is still authorized to serve. Democratic Commissioners Grady Prestage and Dexter McCoy have refused to attend Commissioners Court meetings since June 25, arguing Wong lacks the authority to preside. Their absence has left Wong and Republican Commissioners Andy Meyers and Vincent Morales as the only three members regularly attending meetings and conducting county business while a court decides Wong’s legal status.
Fort Bend County Director of Finance and Investments Pamela Gubbels said the county’s proposed $792 million budget assumes the overall county and drainage tax rate will remain unchanged at 42.2 cents per $100 of taxable value. But Texas law requires at least four members of Commissioners Court to be present to adopt a tax rate…