Thank you Mayor White. This agreement represents a historic shift in how communities in our region work together. I want to thank the Mayor for his commitment to a solution that works for The Woodlands, works for Houston and benefits our entire region.

The Regional Participation Agreement provides for The Woodlands to determine their own future and form of self government. It removes the threat of unilateral annexation by Houston. The Woodlands will decide what form of self government they desire. This agreement also provides a framework for our participation in regional projects mutually beneficial to both communities. It also provides a mechanism to lower reliance on property taxes and assessments to fund local services in The Woodlands. A locally elected board will provide residents the high quality services they have come to expect during the transition period to our permanent form of local governance.

In addition to thanking Mayor White for his commitment, vision and hard work on this issue I'd like to recognize some folks who were instrumental in getting us to this point.

• Mike Page, of Schwartz, Page & Harding has labored tirelessly for many years, often on an unpaid basis, to craft the current moratorium agreement. His work on crafting the Regional Participation Agreement has been invaluable.
• State Representative Rob Eissler from The Woodlands. His support of this agreement and the related legislation is critical to our success.
• Bruce Tough and Joel Deretchin, co-chairs of the Governance Steering Committee. Their leadership has been critical in developing realistic expectations and consensus with stakeholders in The Woodlands regarding local governance options.
• Dr. Ed Robb, Chairman of the TCID Board of Directors,
• Rosemary Roe, President of The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency representing the Woodlands area MUDS who are parties to the existing moratorium agreement.

I will depend on all of these folks to help me take this Agreement back to the local government units they represent and develop support for the appropriate action.

Attachment: Proposed Regional Participation Agreement Between the City of Houston, Texas and the Woodlands - (330 KB, PDF)