Only 16% Believe Board of Directors Listens to Residents
Preserve The Woodlands today released the results of a community survey that reveal residents of The Woodlands overwhelmingly object to putting incorporation back on the ballot, and clearly express a desire for The Woodlands Township Board of Directors to turn its focus to addressing community priorities.
Danny Signorelli of Preserve The Woodlands said: “If the overwhelming defeat of incorporation at the ballot box last fall wasn’t a clear enough signal, the results of this survey should be a wake-up call for our Board of Directors. Residents are ready to move past incorporation and for the Board to focus on the legitimate needs and priorities of our community.”
The survey, which was conducted via email to residents over two weeks in February 2022, received more than 500 responses from residents and generated the following results:
· By a 69-31 margin, voters rejected the incorporation of The Woodlands in Nov 2021. Do you believe the Township Board of Directors should place incorporating The Woodlands on the ballot again in Nov 2022?
o 86.1%: No – Incorporation should not be on the ballot again in 2022
o 13.9%: Yes – Incorporation should be on the ballot again in 2022
· Are you satisfied that The Woodlands Board of Directors listens to residents and is responsive to community priorities?
o 44%: No
o 40.4%: Unsure
o 15.6%: Yes
· Which of the following issues do you believe should be the Board’s three highest priorities?
o 65.1%: Lowering property taxes
o 52.8%: Returning $21 million in incorporation reserve funds to taxpayers
o 45.6%: Improving public safety
o 40.5%: Balancing the budget
o 37.5%: Increasing homestead exemption
o 11.7%: Continuing studying incorporation
o 13.5%: Other
· Which community initiatives would you like to see the Board of Directors address first?
o 52.7%: Supporting the redevelopment of aging village centers
o 22.9%: Repairing The Woodlands fire station.
o 9.4%: Creating a school crossing at Creekside Park
o 6.4%: Building a Performing Arts Center
o 8.62%: Other
Signorelli went on to say, “Just as Preserve The Woodlands stood against Incorporation and higher taxes, we are committed to ensuring community priorities, not personal political agendas, are the focus of our local elected officials. We are growing participation in Preserve The Woodlands to provide an even louder, united, and resident-centered voice for local government and leadership. This is what it takes to keep The Woodlands as the best place in the country to work, live, and raise a family.”