Township approves bus design, accepts strong financial report

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors convened on May 28, where they accepted a report detailing the deployment of license-plate-reading cameras, approved a new design for bus wraps, and reviewed the organization’s robust financial performance.

Officials from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Flock Safety, unveiled proposals to deploy 30 cameras that read license plates across The Woodlands, a move included in the township’s fiscal year 2026 budget. Officials announced that the system will aid law enforcement investigations and enhance crime prevention efforts.

Authorities have made it clear that the sheriff’s office will own and operate the cameras exclusively. Township officials will not have access to the data or operate the system. Officials stated that the technology captures information about publicly visible vehicles, does not employ facial recognition, and automatically deletes data after 30 days.

Board members expressed concerns regarding privacy, transparency, and the implementation of system safeguards. Key issues highlighted included the necessity for audit trails and restricted access during searches. Officials have reported that the system has been used in cases of stolen vehicles and missing persons. The board has reached a unanimous decision to accept the report.

In a recent development, the board has approved a new wrap design for The Woodlands Express bus fleet. The design was crafted internally and completed by the Ad Hoc Communications Committee. A new fleet is anticipated to arrive between November 2026 and February 2027, alongside plans to update the wraps on 14 existing buses.

The board has approved a financial report indicating robust performance up to April 30. Sales tax collections have increased by 7.6% compared to the same period last year, surpassing budget projections by 3.8%. This growth comes in conjunction with stable property tax revenue and investment earnings.

Trustees received an update from the Village Presidents’ Council, which highlighted ongoing community discussions and developments in park activities.

Officials reported that all items presented during the meeting received unanimous approval or acceptance.