May Cover Story 2010
Commissioner Jerry Eversole Talks About the Economy and the Future of Precinct 4
Commissioner Jerry Eversole was the guest speaker at this month’s HCA luncheon and gave a straight-forward and entertaining update on the status of the County, the Toll Road and Precinct 4. The Commissioner opened his comments by stating that he tries to attend events like our luncheon, have a good time and give out some useful information. This year however has not been a good year. In fact the Commissioner stated that this year has been the most difficult period that he has been through in the twenty years that he has been in office. Commissioner Eversole was commenting on the state of the economy, saying that the problems started in 2009 and he believes that they will continue into 2011 when the midterm elections are over. The Commissioner stated that he is hopeful that President Obama will do something about the economy, saying that the U.S. cannot continue on the path that it is on now for another three years while he (The President) piddles around. Eversole said that he hopes that the President will start taking some advise from some true leaders, and start doing some things that are advantageous to everybody. Eversole stated that he understands why the president would be mad at Texas, but he said he hopes the president does not hold the type of grudge that costs us in the long run. We cannot wait another three years for another president, we need this president to do his job.
This is also the first time in the twenty years that Commissioner Eversole has held his seat that Harris County has had to lay off employees. There have been times in the past where the County has had hiring freezes, said Eversole, but this is the first time that layoff’s have actually occurred. The Commissioner went on to state that this is also the first year where the County has had to deal with significant cuts in the general revenue fund that were not expected.
Turning the topic to the general makeup of the County, Commissioner Eversole stated that Precinct 4 has over one million people in it at this time. Redistricting will occur in 2011. Both precincts 3 and 4 will start will population numbers over one million while precincts 1 and 2 will fall just under that but not by much. Precinct 3 and 4 will have to give up some population to precincts 1 and 2, but not much in the way of road miles. Precinct 4 is the third largest precinct in the United States size-wise. Precinct 4 is bigger that six states in the U.S. population-wise. Harris County as a whole is bigger than 27 states in the United States. According to Eversole, the number of people that the Commissioners and the County Judge represent places burdens upon them much like those that face a governor.
Looking at the financial situation of the County, Commissioner Eversole said that the County’s problems are with maintenance dollars. Currently the County is $17 million down in their maintenance budget. The capital budget is fine and that is what most contractors are concerned about. There is $136 million worth of construction projects in design right now that should be out in the next nine months. The County is also attempting to get another $35 to $55 million into the system for additional construction projects. The Commissioner stated that they have had a difficult time moving projects forward over the last two years because of the health problems of the budget director. Dr. Dick Raycraft had been extremely ill for the last two years, but he is now back and in good health and now funds for projects are moving and the projects are coming out much faster than before.
The Commissioner said that there is a big story going around about Exxon Mobile and that he could tell you quite a bit about that, but then he would have to kill you. He did say that there is a very high likelihood that it will happen in the north part of Harris County, but what makes the project so good is that it is such a large project that it brings with it other large projects as well.
When asked about the status of the Grand Parkway the Commissioner stated that it is not the dead horse that everyone thinks it is. Segment E is the piece that everyone thought we were getting ready to build. The Commissioner stated that segment E is not ready to go at this time. There are lawsuits filed and permits that are still pending and it will be one to two years before it is ready to go. The Commissioner said that with what is going on in Precinct 4, segment F-1, F-2 and G are all now under the microscope to be considered for construction before segment E. He also went on to state that the primary reason for the project’s delay has been a requirement from TxDOT that the entire Grand Parkway be built all at one time. This would cost the County approximately $5 billion and Harris County cannot afford that much debt. The Commissioner stated that the County has made a request to TxDOT to allow the Grand Parkway to be built in three phases, with F-1, F-2, E and G being the first phase. Completion of these sections would allow the County to bring in toll revenues to help subsidize the construction of the other two phases. According to the Commissioner this is the only way that the entire project can be completed because the other sections are losers that will be lightly used compared to the E, F and G sections. TxDOT has made it clear that all sections must be built.
When asked about the health of the Toll Road Authority, Commissioner Eversole stated that it is fantastic and commented that it is in such good health that TxDOT has done everything in its power to become part of that program. Commissioner Eversole said that the Toll Road is a winner and he recognized the wisdom of Commissioner’s Court in not selling it to TxDOT, or to the two other interested groups one Australian and one Spainish. Eversole stated that at the time, those proposals would have given Harris County a cash influx of one billion dollars. Eversole pointed out that $1 billion does not even equal the County’s annual budget, and if we had sold it, we would have been rich for one year and broke in two. The Commissioner stated that the County has a good relationship with TxDOT, the Toll Road Authority in strong and hopefully the Grand Parkway will under construction soon.
When asked about a problem concerning change order approval and pay estimates with the County, Eversole stated that he would look into the issue, but said that he never wants to hear that Harris County pays like the City of Houston. He went on, saying that he never wants to hear that the County’s permit department is as bad as the City of Houston’s. He closed his remarks by saying that if the County ever starts to head in that direction, he wants to know about it right away.
After these remarks, Commissioner Eversole turned the podium over to Pamela Rocchi the Director of Road and Bridge Projects for Precinct 4. Pamela gave a detailed power point presentation that gave overview of the precincts capital improvement program. A complete copy of the presentation is at the HCA offices and can be sent to anyone that wishes a copy. Some of the projects that were covered in her presentation were Champions Forest Drive from Spring Cypress to Boudreaux. Champions Forest will be updated to a four lane concrete boulevard, estimated construction cost is $3.2 million and is scheduled to be put out to bid in September of this year. East Ritchie Road from Hardy to Aldine Westfield will be upgraded from a two lane asphalt road to either a four or five lane concrete boulevard. Estimated cost of construction is $5.2 million. Fallsdale Road from Ella to FM 2920 will be upgraded to a four lane concrete boulevard with storm sewer system and traffic signal modifications at 2920. Estimated construction cost o $1.7 million and they plan to put this out to bid on April 27th of this year. Hollister Road segment 3 will include the installation of a four lane concrete roadway, storm sewer system and the upgrading Duncan road from two lanes to four lanes. Estimated construction cost is $5.2 million and the plan is to put it out to bid in December of this year. For a complete list of proposed construction projects contact the HCA offices.
