Kill Texas House Bill 5403 City of Manvel Sports Complex
Kill Texas House Bill 5403 City of Manvel Sports Complex
The Issue
With these dire economic times we are currently experiencing, the LAST thing we need is for the city to build a $90 million sports complex geared towards a three month period in the summer of 2026 for the World Cup in Houston
Our former city officials are moving forward on this frivolous development even though we have been vocally against it, even going so far as to make sure they did not win in the May 6th election.
This petition is for the state officials to know exactly how we, the taxpayers, in the City of Manvel feel about Texas HB 5403. They have already used taxpayer money to purchase the property without voter approval. Not only is the cost going to be fully funded by our tax dollars, but there are no contracts in place that would guarantee usage by any soccer team for 2026 World Cup in Houston. Also, the usage of the complex after the 2026 World Cup is currently nonexistent. Maintenance on this complex will cost a minimum of $2,000 a month that the city taxpayers will have to pay.
We are a small city in a big state, but our former city officials seem to think that they are big fish in a small pond. Hopefully the May 6, 2023 election brought them back down to size.
Other issues that are extremely concerning is that they have already selected board members without input from city council or voter approval. The former mayor, Debra Davison was selected to be on the board as well as Derek Hehn, who happens to be the husband of mayor pro-tem Lorraine Hehn, who ran for mayor on May 6th, but was voted down by a 2/3 majority! Does this tell you anything? 66% of the voters in Manvel do not want this sports complex!
In short, due to the current inflation that has engulfed our country, as well as the higher interest rates that have sabotaged current home buyers, we feel that this burden will be far too great for our small city to take on. The majority of homeowners in our area moved here for the peace and quiet our community afforded us. Yes, we have growth, but that growth is not nearly as rampant as expected, and with another year and a half to go before it can possibly be turned around, spending money on a pet project just doesn't seem like a good idea. Heck, we still have many streets in need of repaving!
Now, if the Major League Soccer came in and offered to pay for it, as it was done in Houston by the Major League Baseball for Minute Maid Park or the National Basketball League for The Summit, then we would not need this petition. This is about using taxpayer money on a development that does not benefit the taxpayer.
We urge you to follow through on your campaign against higher taxes and kill this bill before it progresses any further.
Thank you from Citizens Against Tax Abuse and the citizens of the City of Manvel for your consideration on this issue.
310
The Issue
With these dire economic times we are currently experiencing, the LAST thing we need is for the city to build a $90 million sports complex geared towards a three month period in the summer of 2026 for the World Cup in Houston
Our former city officials are moving forward on this frivolous development even though we have been vocally against it, even going so far as to make sure they did not win in the May 6th election.
This petition is for the state officials to know exactly how we, the taxpayers, in the City of Manvel feel about Texas HB 5403. They have already used taxpayer money to purchase the property without voter approval. Not only is the cost going to be fully funded by our tax dollars, but there are no contracts in place that would guarantee usage by any soccer team for 2026 World Cup in Houston. Also, the usage of the complex after the 2026 World Cup is currently nonexistent. Maintenance on this complex will cost a minimum of $2,000 a month that the city taxpayers will have to pay.
We are a small city in a big state, but our former city officials seem to think that they are big fish in a small pond. Hopefully the May 6, 2023 election brought them back down to size.
Other issues that are extremely concerning is that they have already selected board members without input from city council or voter approval. The former mayor, Debra Davison was selected to be on the board as well as Derek Hehn, who happens to be the husband of mayor pro-tem Lorraine Hehn, who ran for mayor on May 6th, but was voted down by a 2/3 majority! Does this tell you anything? 66% of the voters in Manvel do not want this sports complex!
In short, due to the current inflation that has engulfed our country, as well as the higher interest rates that have sabotaged current home buyers, we feel that this burden will be far too great for our small city to take on. The majority of homeowners in our area moved here for the peace and quiet our community afforded us. Yes, we have growth, but that growth is not nearly as rampant as expected, and with another year and a half to go before it can possibly be turned around, spending money on a pet project just doesn't seem like a good idea. Heck, we still have many streets in need of repaving!
Now, if the Major League Soccer came in and offered to pay for it, as it was done in Houston by the Major League Baseball for Minute Maid Park or the National Basketball League for The Summit, then we would not need this petition. This is about using taxpayer money on a development that does not benefit the taxpayer.
We urge you to follow through on your campaign against higher taxes and kill this bill before it progresses any further.
Thank you from Citizens Against Tax Abuse and the citizens of the City of Manvel for your consideration on this issue.
310
Petition created on May 6, 2023