February 25, 2025 City Council Meeting
The Weston Lakes City Council will meet on February 25th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Weston Lakes Country Club Ballroom. Please find the agenda below.
General News
Proposition A- A General Revenue Sales and Use Tax in Weston Lakes
January 28th, 2025 the City Council voted to approve Ordinance 03-2025.
This ordinance calls for a special election to take place on the May 3, 2025 Uniform Election Date for the qualified voters of the City of Weston Lakes to consider “Proposition A”. The City is currently seeking to conduct a Joint Election with the County to provide election services, this will allow the Weston Lakes voters to vote on this proposition at any Fort Bend County polling location.
CITY OF WESTON LAKES SALES AND USE TAX ELECTION
PROPOSITION A
The adoption of an additional sales and use tax within the city at the rate of two percent (2%).
FOR _____ AGAINST _____
The above language is the statutorily required language to be used.
We are in the process of scheduling a town hall-style event for questions sometime in April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please submit further questions to CitySec@WestonLakesTexas.gov and we will try and answer them to the best of our ability and add them to the FAQ.
What has actually been done at this point?
At this point, the City Council has just called for an election. This means the qualified voters of the City of Weston Lakes will get the opportunity to vote “For” or “Against” Proposition “A” during the May 3, 2025 uniform election date election cycle.
So a new Sales and Use Tax is in place?
No, A tax has not been put into effect and the majority of qualified City of Weston Lakes voters in the May 2025 special election would have to vote “For” the proposition before the City could take further action to implement the tax.
Why is the City Council doing this?
The City Council has called this election to “put the issue of taxation to the voters” and, if passed, to block any other entity from collecting the sales and use tax.
During the past November 2024 election season it came to the City’s attention that if a special purpose district (MUD, ESD, Hospital, etc) orders an election for a sales tax and the boundaries of the district encompass more voters than just the City of Weston Lakes then people that wouldn’t be affected by the tax would get to vote on if Weston Lakes Residents had to pay a sales and use tax.
Other people who could vote on the tax but would not be included would be most cities around us. Simonton and Fulshear already collect a 2% sales tax and therefore their residents would be unaffected by a new sales and use tax.
Using the ESD #4 election as an example. Fulshear and Simonton’s residents are already capped at a 2% local sales and use tax, and Weston Lakes Residents are at 0%. During the election registered voters from Fulshear and Simonton got to vote on allowing ESD #4 to collect a 2% sales tax anywhere it wasn’t already being collected, the City of Weston Lakes being one of the largest areas it would apply to.
What will the money be used for?
The City currently doesn’t have a plan for the funds, this is because we are unsure of how much revenue would be collected. The City doesn’t want to overpromise and underdeliver.
There is also the issue of currently proposed bills in the state legislature that would severely reduce the amount of Sales and Use Tax collected by entities that do not have delivery warehouses within their jurisdictional boundaries.
House Bill 924 authored by TX State Rep. Mike Schofield – District 132 is of particular concern for the City. In effect, residents of the City of Weston Lakes would pay sales tax to whatever jurisdiction the delivery warehouses are located in (for many big e-commerce stores in our area this would be Katy).
A general revenue sales and use tax can be used for almost any lawful purpose of the city. Generally a general revenue sales and use tax may not be pledged to pay off bonds.
What is House Bill 924?
House Bill 924 authored by TX State Rep. Mike Schofield – District 132 is of particular concern for the City. In effect, residents of the City of Weston Lakes would pay sales tax to whatever jurisdiction the delivery warehouses are located in (for many big e-commerce stores in our area this would be Katy).
A bill relating to the location where certain sales are consummated for purposes of local sales and use taxes.
Why not another type of tax?
The City was founded on the principles of providing minimal services (as most are already provided by other entities) and not taxing its citizens.
The City is only considering a sales and use tax to prevent another entity from collecting the tax and using it outside of the City where it may not benefit the Citizens of Weston Lakes.
By keeping the funds “local” it gives residents easier access to the officials that would control the funds. Your Mayor and City Council members are elected by the qualified voters of the City, not others outside the City, nor are they appointed by another entity. Weston Lakes City Officials are elected by the City of Weston Lakes voters and therefore are directly responsible to the residents.
So what is the City’s stance on the proposition?
The laws of the State of Texas and more specifically the Texas Election Code (Title 15, Chapter 255) places restrictions on the ability of a city to have a stance on elections, therefore the City has no stance on whether voters should vote “For” or “Against” the City’s Proposition “A”.
Any views expressed by City officials are not the official views of the City.
When would the Sales and Use Tax go into effect if passed?
The effective date should be July 1, 2025. (The next fiscal quarter start date after the election passed.)
Texas sales and use tax rates normally go into effect the next fiscal quarter after passing. This delayed effective date allows vendors to update their software/tax calculation tables on a uniform date.
The following days are the possible sales and use tax effective dates in Texas: October 1, July 1, April 1, and January 1.
Additional Information:
A sales and use tax would not apply to the following:
- Residential use of Gas and Electricity
- Telecommunication Services
- Items/Sales that a Sales and Use Tax Exemption form would be applicable for
Office Closure January 29, 2025
Due to staff illness the city office will be closed today.
Questions and permits can be sent to: CitySec@WestonLakesTexas.gov
January 28, 2025 City Council Meeting
The Weston Lakes City Council will meet on January 28th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Weston Lakes Country Club Ballroom. Please find the agenda below.
Winter Storm Enzo
January 21, 2025 Update 1330- Over the course of the next couple hours snow is expected to continue to melt, however with more freezing temperatures tonight it is expected that ice will form on many roadways. Again citizens are asked to please not travel unless absolutely necessary until road conditions improve. Ice will be a concern starting this evening through the morning tomorrow.
The city office will be closed tomorrow January 22, 2025.
MUD 81 Trash and Recycling Services
Due to severe weather Texas Pride will not be collecting trash or recycling on Tuesday January 21, 2025. For the latest updates contact Texas Pride.
The Passing of Alderman Bill Ragle
The City of Weston Lakes regrets to announce the passing of Alderman William “Bill” Ragle. His celebration of life will be 2-5 pm on January 19th, 2025, at the Weston Lakes Country Club.
We appreciate Alderman Ragle’s dedication and selfless service to the city for the last 14 years. He will be deeply missed by all; Council and Community.
Bill Ragle
05/28/1950 – 01/08/2025
It is with profound sadness and immense gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Bill Ragle, a man of extraordinary brilliance, boundless whimsy, and a heart that embraced the world. Born on May 28, 1950, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bill was a man of many talents and endless curiosity. His keen intellect and creative spirit were felt by all he came into contact with, leaving a legacy of laughter, insight, and joy. Known for his quick wit and genuine kindness, he had a rare gift for making everyone feel valued and seen. Bill graduated from Wasson High School, Macalester College, and did several postgraduate stints at Johns Hopkins. He is survived by his wife Rhea, sister Liz, brother-in-law Ken, 3 nephews, their families, and countless friends. Bill will be remembered for his love of cars, music, fountain pens, jewelry, shoes, a sleeve of saltines and a tall glass of milk, his dogs and his friends and family. A lifelong rule of Bill’s was to give back. Examples include Special Olympics Board of Directors, Lion’s Club vision screening, Alderman for the City of Weston Lakes, City coordinator of the swimming lessons, Weston Lakes Christmas Carolers, mentoring of many, and providing countless entertainment with his stories.
The family kindly requests that donations be made in Bill’s memory to:
Fulshear-Simonton Lion’s Club PO Box 435 Fulshear, TX 77441
His parting words to all: “Peace, Love, and Granola!”
From the Office of the City Secretary:
Although I have only known Bill for the last two and a half years, it can be said with confidence he has made me a better person, both personally and professionally. Bill’s cheeriness was contagious; he was extremely knowledgeable about any number of topics, and he could make any problem seem quite small and manageable. His life was, without a doubt, full of experiences. Since I have known Bill, he has become one of my closest friends and a cherished advisor. He will be deeply missed.
Water System Information and Winter
While temperatures are forecasted to stay above freezing for the next 10 days, freezing weather could be right around the corner. Please take the time to save and share these phone numbers and read over some tips.
FBC MUD 81 (Inframark)
If your water provider is FBC MUD 81 (operated by Inframark), your 24-hour contact number is: 281.398.8211.
Fort Bend County MUD 81 – Weston Lakes (TX0790268)
Aqua Texas
If your water provider is Aqua Texas, your 24-hour contact number is: 877.987.2782
During your conversation, mentioning that you are a “Riverwood Water System” customer might be beneficial.
Riverwood Water System (TX0790405)
Private Wells
If you have a private well, some good tips are insulating above-ground components, sealing gaps and cracks in your wheelhouse, installing a well-house heater if possible, protecting the pressure tank, and winterizing unused wells.
Tips
Learn where your water shutoff valves are located, winterize irrigation systems as needed, or hire a company to do so. It would also be a great idea to have the numbers of a few plumbers selected and on hand for emergencies.
December 2024 City Council Meeting Canceled
The Regular December 2024 City Council meeting was canceled at the Regular November 2024 City Council meeting.
Election 2025
On November 4, 2025, the City of Weston Lakes will go to the polls to elect the positions of Mayor and two (2) Council Members for a two (2) year term. If you wish to run for these positions (beginning July 16, 2025), you can find a “Candidate Packet” with an application for a place on the ballot, on the City of Weston Lakes website at, westonlakestexas.gov, or pick up a packet at the Weston Lakes City office at 8045 FM 359, Fulshear, TX. 77441, during regular office hours (Monday & Wednesday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.).
Applications must be filed with the City Secretary by 5 p.m. on August 18, 2025.
Write-in candidates may declare between July 20, 2025 and August 23, 2025 by 5 p.m. (In order to be a write-in candidate one must have registered in the same way as regular candidates with the exception of paying a filing fee and having extra days to file the paperwork. The name must appear on the official ballot.)
The City of Weston Lakes does not charge a filing fee.
To be eligible for municipal office, a candidate must be a US citizen, 18 years of age or older, have not been found mentally incompetent or convicted of a felony and have resided continuously in the state for 12 months and in the city for 6 months preceding the deadline for filing.
Please be sure you are registered at your present address in order to vote in this election. The last day to register to vote in time for the municipal election is October 6, 2025.