The $350 Million Question Just Got Postponed

Issue #4  |  Sunday, August 16, 2026

The Montgomery County Brief

THE

MONTGOMERY
COUNTY BRIEF

Local news. Real people. Stronger together.

Montgomery County Courthouse

This Week's Lead

The $350 Million Question Just Got Postponed

Commissioners walked away from a November bond — and the reason is worth understanding.

Inside this week's Brief

🏛️ Why the courthouse bond didn't make the ballot
💰 Three tax rates being set right now
🎒 What your school bond actually built
🏥 New businesses opening across the county
🛍️ A mother-daughter shop opens in Montgomery

⏱ 3-Minute Read
Jennifer's Letter
Jennifer Jelks

Good morning, Montgomery County.

One of the things I love most about putting this newsletter together is seeing how connected everything really is.

A courthouse debate becomes a conversation about growth. A school project becomes a reminder of how quickly our communities are changing. A new business opening represents another family choosing to invest here.

Montgomery County isn't standing still.

This week, we're looking at one of the county's biggest public projects, several important tax decisions, new businesses opening across the area, and a local boutique built by a Montgomery family.

My goal with The Montgomery County Brief is simple: give you the information you need without making you dig through meeting agendas, government websites, and dozens of headlines.

Whether you're a homeowner, a parent, a business owner, or someone who's simply trying to keep up with how quickly Montgomery County is growing, I'm grateful you're here.

Thank you for spending part of your Sunday with me. Have a great week.

— Jennifer

The Lead

Commissioners Looked at a $350 Million Courthouse and Said Not Yet

On August 6, Montgomery County commissioners were scheduled to call a November bond election for a new justice center in downtown Conroe. After more than 45 minutes of discussion, a motion tied to the bond was rescinded and the court took no action at all.

The state deadline to place a measure on the November 3 ballot is August 17. After that, the question is off the table until at least a later election cycle.

The Numbers

$342.3M
2029-dollar estimate		21
courtrooms planned		27
judges potentially needed

Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects presented several options, including a ten-floor concept with a basement — roughly 316,000 square feet, a 777-space parking garage, and two unfinished shell floors left for future expansion.

Then Judge Kristin Bays of the 284th District Court told commissioners that the county currently runs 23 judges out of 17 courtrooms. If the Legislature approves four additional courts the county has backed, Montgomery County could need 27 judges.

“Here we are sitting here, and we're still confused about this. I don't think we're ready to move forward on this at all.”

— Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough

The site itself also came under scrutiny. Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Walker said the county needs a bigger footprint so the building can spread outward instead of being forced upward. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler called for a broader committee before anything gets locked in.

What happens now: the project goes back into workshops, tentatively after September 1, once the county finishes its budget process.

★ Why It Matters

The courthouse need didn't disappear on August 6. It was deferred. That means voters will likely see the question again — and possibly with a higher price tag after more planning and construction-cost escalation.

Money Watch

Three Tax Rates Are Being Set Right Now

Budget season is happening in three places at once this month.

Conroe ISD • Aug. 18

$0.9348 projected

The district projected a $770.42 million balanced budget and a rate of $0.9348 per $100, down from $0.9496. That figure is still a projection until the hearing.

Oak Ridge North • Aug. 24

$0.4615 proposed

Staff recommends an increase from $0.4268. City documents estimate about $78.95 more per year on the median $230,176 homestead.

City of Montgomery • Sept. 14

$0.40 proposed

Council advanced a $9.45 million general fund budget while holding the rate flat. Public works spending jumps 55%, including $800,000 for park improvements.

★ Why It Matters

Different taxing entities can move in different directions at the same time. The number that matters most is the combined rate where you actually live.

Growth Watch

What a School Bond Looks Like When It Works

Conroe ISD back to school

Worth putting next to the county story: while commissioners debated a building that doesn't exist yet, Conroe ISD spent August opening ones that do.

Kacy Arnold Elementary opened this month in Spring. The $23.8 million renovation of Knox Junior High wrapped in time for the first bell. So did work at McCullough Junior High in The Woodlands.

At Oak Ridge High School, interior renovations finished this month, with new fine arts additions scheduled to complete in December. Grand Oaks Ninth-Grade Campus opens January 2027.

All of it funded by the 2023 bond that voters approved. Bonds are abstract when you vote on them and concrete when your kid walks into the building.

New & Noteworthy

What's Opening Around Montgomery County

Cooking Girl — Sichuan cuisine, now open in The Woodlands

PostNet — family-owned shipping and printing, now open on Rayford Road

Curry & Grill — fourth location now open

Center for Vein Restoration — now open in Shenandoah

GolfTRK — indoor golf training center planned off Robinson Road in Oak Ridge North

Kumon The Woodlands West — marking 15 years in business this fall

Eat. Sip. Support Local.

Little Jules Children's Boutique

Little Jules Children's Boutique

Local Business Spotlight

Montgomery • 302 John A. Butler St.

A children's clothing boutique opened by Isabella Gorka and her mother, Julie — Montgomery locals building something in their own hometown.

“What began as a dream has grown into something we hope will become a lasting part of the Montgomery community.”

Grand opening party: Wednesday, August 26
Opens: Saturday, August 29

Know a Montgomery County business I should visit?
Reply and send it to me.

Local Housing Intelligence

Jennifer's Real Estate Insight

Deferred Isn't Free

The courthouse story is a housing story, even though it doesn't sound like one.

When a large public project gets postponed, the cost doesn't pause with it. Construction pricing, land, labor and borrowing costs all keep moving.

For buyers: when you compare neighborhoods, look at what bonds have already passed in that district or city, and what's still pending. Debt service is a real line on your tax rate.

For sellers: buyers are increasingly asking about total carrying cost, not just price. Knowing your area's rate picture is a genuine advantage.

My takeaway: a postponed bond isn't a cancelled bond. Plan like it's coming back.

Real estate information provided by Jennifer Jelks, Texas REALTOR® with Epique Realty LLC. License #690020. This is general information, not personalized financial or investment advice.

One More Thing

About Those New School Ratings

The Texas Education Agency released its 2026 A–F accountability ratings on August 14. Statewide, 24% of districts and 24% of campuses improved over last year, and 85% of rated campuses landed at a C or above.

I'm not printing letter grades for our local districts this week. A lot of what's circulating online right now is last year's numbers wearing this year's headline, and after the correction at the top of this issue, I'd rather be a week late than wrong twice.

You can look up any campus yourself at txschools.gov. I'll have verified local numbers for you next Sunday.

Looking Ahead

What We're Watching

● August 17: State deadline to order a November 3 ballot measure. The justice center is officially off.

● August 18: Conroe ISD public hearing on its budget and tax rate.

● August 24, 6 p.m.: Oak Ridge North tax rate and budget hearings.

● August 26: Little Jules grand opening party in Montgomery.

● After September 1: County justice center workshops resume.

● September 14, 6 p.m.: City of Montgomery budget hearing.

Question of the Week

Commissioners said a $350 million courthouse might already be too small. Would you have put it on the ballot anyway — or waited?

Hit reply and tell me. I read every one.

Jennifer Jelks

Publisher, The Montgomery County Brief

Texas REALTOR® | Epique Realty LLC

Helping Montgomery County stay informed, connected and moving forward.

The Montgomery County Brief

Published every Sunday by Jennifer Jelks
The Montgomery County Brief

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