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Missouri City built strong partnerships with businesses during 2010. The City received $2,275 from a new AT&T outlet to use for the preservation of the historic Dew House. From left to right, Ivan Butterfield, Museum Board Member, Diane Ware, DeWalt Heritage Society, Mayor Allen Owen, Lisa Glenn, Dew House Volunteer Coordinator, Alice Aanstoos, AT&T Regional V.P. External Affairs, and Anthony Morado, AT&T Southwest Houston Sales Manager were at the ceremony.

Photos courtesy of Missouri City

Missouri City has achieved significant successes in 2010, continuing strong collaborations with citizens, building on the City's infrastructure, gaining new business partnerships, planning future amenities, and earning local, state and national distinction for excellence.

"In 2010, we focused on capital improvements and economic development," said City Manager Frank Simpson. "By leveraging funding from others, less than 25 percent of all capital improvement projects are being paid for with City property taxes."

The cost of all current infrastructure improvements is more than $82 million; the City's share being paid for from property taxes is $18 million. The remaining $64 million comes from, state and federal funds, Fort Bend and Harris Counties, utility user and capital recovery fees and Special Districts. Here are some of the major projects under way:

*Texas Parkway Revitalization: Phase I of the transformation is taking place and features sidewalks and drainage improvements; completion is expected to take nine months. Phase II will involve landscaping and signage.

*Community Center & Golf Pro Shop and Tennis & Recreation Center: With City Council approval of a $7.375 million settlement for the Quail Valley Golf property, community meetings followed seeking citizen input on development of the two projects. The design process is under way for both facilities and construction for the structures is targeted to begin in summer 2011.

*Surface Water Treatment Plant: The state-of-the art plant is currently being constructed and will have the capacity to produce 10 million gallons of water per day. Completion is scheduled for next winter, ahead of the deadline to meet the mandated groundwater reduction requirements.

*Gessner Road Revitalization: A full reconstruction of South Gessner Road from Beltway 8 to Cravens Road is ongoing; completion is scheduled for summer 2011.

*Intelligent Transportation System: Along Murphy Road and State Highway 6, major intersections underwent turn lane and traffic signal improvements, with median installation on State Highway 6 continuing into 2011. These are the first steps of the synchronization of city traffic signals so that they can communicate with each other and adapt to different traffic patterns. Overall, this project will improve mobility and safety and shorten travel times.

*Emergency Communications: City Council approved the installation of a new low-power AM radio station-1690 AM. Staff will follow FCC guidelines for station usage and transmit emergency information, weather bulletins and traffic and road construction updates, featuring directions to City landmarks and events.

Facing Challenges with Proactive Policies

Last June, City Council approved the fiscal year 2011 operating budget of $31.2 million, a 6 percent reduction from the previous year, with no tax increase for residents. "We have had a very busy and productive year in our City, however, we are not without our challenges," Mayor Allen Owen said. "Like other cities across the country, our revenues from sales tax and property taxes have been reduced. We are faced with doing what everyone else has to do, and that is to look for ways to do more with less. Our employees rolled up their sleeves, tightened their belts, and made a commitment not to let this affect the service levels to our citizens."

New Services Benefit Residents

Based on two voter referendum items on the May election ballot, City Council passed two ordinances-one bans smoking in public places and the second implemented a city-wide municipal trash program.

The solid waste collection service will be provided by Republic Services for the next five years. Service for subdivisions was chosen by homeowner associations and municipal utility districts and will result in savings for about 75 percent of residents.

In other City Council action, members took a step further with the state ban on most cell phone use in school zones and passed an ordinance that bans motorists from texting throughout the city.

Economic Growth on the Upswing

The "Show Me City" was also prosperous on the business front the past 12 months and announced numerous developments city-wide.

In the northern part of Missouri City, the newly developed 168-acre Lakeview Business Park is home to three new tenants. Lufkin Automation, an oil and gas services company, settled into its headquarters building situated on s

Citizens attend a crime prevention workshop hosted by the Missouri City Police Department.


Photos courtesy of Missouri City

Missouri City has achieved significant successes in 2010, continuing strong collaborations with citizens, building on the City's infrastructure, gaining new business partnerships, planning future amenities, and earning local, state and national distinction for excellence.

"In 2010, we focused on capital improvements and economic development," said City Manager Frank Simpson. "By leveraging funding from others, less than 25 percent of all capital improvement projects are being paid for with City property taxes."

The cost of all current infrastructure improvements is more than $82 million; the City's share being paid for from property taxes is $18 million. The remaining $64 million comes from, state and federal funds, Fort Bend and Harris Counties, utility user and capital recovery fees and Special Districts. Here are some of the major projects under way:

*Texas Parkway Revitalization: Phase I of the transformation is taking place and features sidewalks and drainage improvements; completion is expected to take nine months. Phase II will involve landscaping and signage.

*Community Center & Golf Pro Shop and Tennis & Recreation Center: With City Council approval of a $7.375 million settlement for the Quail Valley Golf property, community meetings followed seeking citizen input on development of the two projects. The design process is under way for both facilities and construction for the structures is targeted to begin in summer 2011.

*Surface Water Treatment Plant: The state-of-the art plant is currently being constructed and will have the capacity to produce 10 million gallons of water per day. Completion is scheduled for next winter, ahead of the deadline to meet the mandated groundwater reduction requirements.

*Gessner Road Revitalization: A full reconstruction of South Gessner Road from Beltway 8 to Cravens Road is ongoing; completion is scheduled for summer 2011.

*Intelligent Transportation System: Along Murphy Road and State Highway 6, major intersections underwent turn lane and traffic signal improvements, with median installation on State Highway 6 continuing into 2011. These are the first steps of the synchronization of city traffic signals so that they can communicate with each other and adapt to different traffic patterns. Overall, this project will improve mobility and safety and shorten travel times.

*Emergency Communications: City Council approved the installation of a new low-power AM radio station-1690 AM. Staff will follow FCC guidelines for station usage and transmit emergency information, weather bulletins and traffic and road construction updates, featuring directions to City landmarks and events.

Facing Challenges with Proactive Policies

Last June, City Council approved the fiscal year 2011 operating budget of $31.2 million, a 6 percent reduction from the previous year, with no tax increase for residents. "We have had a very busy and productive year in our City, however, we are not without our challenges," Mayor Allen Owen said. "Like other cities across the country, our revenues from sales tax and property taxes have been reduced. We are faced with doing what everyone else has to do, and that is to look for ways to do more with less. Our employees rolled up their sleeves, tightened their belts, and made a commitment not to let this affect the service levels to our citizens."

New Services Benefit Residents

Based on two voter referendum items on the May election ballot, City Council passed two ordinances-one bans smoking in public places and the second implemented a city-wide municipal trash program.

The solid waste collection service will be provided by Republic Services for the next five years. Service for subdivisions was chosen by homeowner associations and municipal utility districts and will result in savings for about 75 percent of residents.

In other City Council action, members took a step further with the state ban on most cell phone use in school zones and passed an ordinance that bans motorists from texting throughout the city.

Economic Growth on the Upswing

The "Show Me City" was also prosperous on the business front the past 12 months and announced numerous developments city-wide.

In the northern part of Missouri City, the newly developed 168-acre Lakeview Business Park is home to three new tenants. Lufkin Automation, an oil and gas services company, settled into its headquarters building situated on six acres; Kusha Foods, a rice distributor, and Flair Flexible Packaging, a plastic bags manufacturer, will occupy 38,000- and 50,000-square feet, respectively.

On Gessner Road in the Beltway Crossing complex, Professional Packaging has leased 96,000 square feet of space; Mission Foods has let another 23,000 square feet and Charming Charlie, Inc. occupies 166,000 square feet of th