Reading through the pages of this edition of the Fort Bend Star, it’s easy to come away with a feeling for the size, scope and ambition of Fort Bend County
Ever since Leonard Scarcella – the longest-serving mayor in America before his death in June 2020 – eliminated the tax in 1995, the city has generated revenue primarily through sales
It’s usually the first thing most people learn about the place – Stafford is the city without a property tax. Ever since Leonard Scarcella – the longest-serving mayor in America
 Stafford MSD has a dilemma, and itâs not unlike that of many school districts across Texas.Â
The COVID-19 pandemic forced school districts to implement or accelerate plans to provide students with tablets or laptops for use in the classroom and for at-home virtual learning.Â
As I wrote in the top story on our front page this week, the SMSD Board of Trustees voted to cut two administrative positions this week as a result of budget strains caused by the pandemic.
The district saw a decrease in enrollment of 300 students from the start of the 2019-20 school year. The result is a loss of $9,948 in local revenue and $2,384 in state revenue per student, or $3,699,600.
The Stafford City Council voted 6-0 to make Alice Chen the cityâs new Mayor Pro Tem during a Jan. 20 council meeting, following Don Jonesâ resignation from the position.Â
 Jones read his resignation letter to the council during the meeting, and cited among the reasons for his decision to step down from the Mayor Pro Tem position the length of the term, which was shortened to six months due to a change in the cityâs election cycle brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also postponed the 2020 city council and mayoral elections from May to November, mandated by orders from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.Â