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The Stafford Newsletter

March 2022                                       City of Stafford                                                      Vol 40 Issue 1

The Stafford Newsletter

The 2022 Officers election will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022.

The following positions are up for election in the 2022 General Officers Election for a three (3) year term.

  • Councilmember At Large Position # 3 [Office is currently held by Virginia Rosas]
  • Councilmember At Large Position # 4 [Office is currently held by Don Jones
For more information visit https://www.staffordtx.gov/departments/city-secretary/elections.html 

Message from the Mayor 

After much uncertainty from the pandemic, natural weather events, social uncertainty and economic up evils that have confronted us all, I would like to share that Stafford stands strong and is alive and well! I want to acknowledge City Council, city staff, our residents and the business community. Everyone played their part in getting us to this point. I would also like to recognize all those that preceded us and played an important role in the foundation we have today in this city. Their efforts have served us well.
 
City government is evolving and streamlining  in several areas to improve our services and productivity. Regarding finances, our fund balances have increased along with our net worth, the city audit confirms these facts. In addition, sales tax receipts continue to reflect increases. Our 7 sq mile city has ranked from 64-69 in the entire state of Texas for the past 15 months of my administration. We even ranked 56th in January out of the 1,000 + that receives sales taxes. It may be hard to believe but it's true that Stafford’s is in the top 7% in generating sales tax receipts.
 
We are continuously looking at ways to improve our total city operation.
  • Staff and I have reached out to our surrounding entities regarding mobility and drainage concerns.
  • Internally we are improving our technology infrastructure along with our facilities.
  • Development has not stopped during this two year period. This last year alone $136,000,000+ in new commercial and $1,800,000 in public projects were added. Multiple residential areas are also being added.
 
The city is currently reviewing our comprehensive plan for future development. I personally feel one vital component has to be strongly formulated and that is redevelopments.

The city and our partners at SMSD are working closely to elevate the educational climate. Several exciting pronouncements have been made including the new stem academy and the Dual Credit program with HCC. We look forward to several more exciting announcements.  

In closing, I want to recognize and tout the diversity of this community. In the end it is the people who decide who and what we want to be. That principle has been the cornerstone of this great nation. Please feel free to reach out to me or any of our department heads to assist you.

Best,
Mayor Cecil Willis

City of Stafford News

Legacy Opens Clinic in Stafford

The City of Stafford is proud to be the home of Legacy Community Health Services, Inc.’s first clinic in Fort Bend County. This clinic is designed to meet the unique health and wellness needs of seniors.

For more information on this new clinic, visit www.legacycommunityhealth.org/seniorcare

Stafford Police Department promotion 

Congratulations to Detective Molina on her recent promotion to detective. "We know Detective Molina will be a true asset to our Criminal Investigations Division, the Stafford Police Department, and our citizens," Stafford Police Department said.

Stafford Fire Department assists with Texas wild fires

Firefighters D. Merchant and K. Lightfoot deployed for a week as part of a Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual-Aid System (TIFMAS) strike team to assist with wild fires in the panhandle of Texas.
 

Join our team!

We are hiring! Learn more about our open employment opportunities by clicking here. Employment with the City of Stafford offers a wealth of opportunities to serve your community while building a career.

Mayor Willis Receives TAF&E's Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award 
Congratulations to Mayor Cecil Willis for his induction to TAF&E's Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Texas Association of Fair & Events.
“As TAF&E's highest honor, this award inducts those who have exceeded the expectation of those around them and shined brightly as an example of dedication, integrity and professionalism. Mayor Willis has been a Longtime board of director and fair supporter.”
Congrats Mayor Willis!

Employee Appreciation Dinner 

“Our employees are the ones that implement and carry out all the tasks that make Stafford function. Without the efforts each employee puts in, none of the great things that occur in the city would be possible, thank you for all you do,” Mayor Cecil Willis said to employees during the 2022 Employee Appreciation Dinner.

City of Stafford Finances 

The city of Stafford's external audit firm, Whitleypenn has completed the State required financial audit for our fiscal year 2021 and provided an ‘Unmodified Clean’ opinion without any comments. This is the highest level of opinion given by the audit firm.

Financial statements will be filed with City Council on March 2nd.  In addition,  the Net Position balance has increased from the prior year. The net position increased by $4.7 million or 8%. 

Re - Recognition Program
On June 18, 2018, the Stafford Police Department received the award of “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency” from the Texas Police Chiefs Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program.  Created in 2006, the Recognition Program evaluates a Police Department’s compliance with over 170 Best Business Practices for Texas Law Enforcement.  These Best Practices were carefully developed by Texas Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service and the protection of individual’s rights. These Best Practices cover all aspects of law enforcement operations including use of force, protection of citizen rights, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, and patrol and investigative operations.
 
The Re- Recognition program currently being conducted is a voluntary process which requires the Stafford Police Department to conduct a critical self-review of the agency’s policies, procedures, facilities, and operations. Beginning January 2022, the department began the lengthy process to become a “Re-Recognized” Law Enforcement Agency by preparing proofs of compliance for each of the Texas Law Enforcement Best Business Practices. Upon completion of the internal review, an outside audit and review will be scheduled.  The final on-site review will take place in June 2022. The on-site review will be conducted by trained Police Chiefs and assessors from other areas of our state.  The result of this review will be then sent to the Texas Police Chiefs Association’s Recognition Committee for final analysis and decision to award the Stafford Police Department “Re-Recognized” status. 
 
The Stafford Police Department has always considered itself to be one of the best in the state.  This process will provide for an independent review of the department’s operations and should assure both local and visiting citizens that the Stafford Police Department is conforming to the best law enforcement practices in the State of Texas.
 
The actual presentation of the Re-Recognition award will take place once final analysis is completed.
 
More information a description of the program may be viewed on the Texas Police Chiefs Association website at http://www.texaspolicechiefs.org.

On January 10, Mayor Cecil Willis presented Stafford Municipal School District School Board of Trustees with a proclamation declaring January as SMSD School Board Month. We celebrate all of our SMSD Board trustees who volunteer their time to work closely with the community while supporting Spartan success, attending workshop trainings and monthly meetings, and overseeing the superintendent. This team works hard to encourage constant growth and ensure our students have the best school district. Thank you for being #CommittedToSMSD! 

Black History Month

SMSD celebrates Black History Month from our youngest Spartans to those who have served in leadership year after year. We celebrate the achievements, the leadership, and the contributions from yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Lego League Competition

The first Lego League Competition for Robotics will be hosted at Stafford MSD from March 11-12. 

Elections

Board of Trustee Elections for positions 3, 4 and 5 will be held on May 7, 2022. 

Career Technical Education Month

Students in this program who are completing a 60-hour associate degree will enter college as a college junior after graduating from high school, saving the student and parent approximately $30,000. Visit our website at www.staffordmsd.org/secchs for more information.
  • Number of students with Associates Degrees before walking the stage to receive their Stafford High School diploma:
    • 3 in Class of 2020
    • 10 in Class of 2021 + 8 who received a Level 1  Certification in Film / Video specialization
    • 18 candidates in the Class of 2021 + 24 candidates for a Level 1  Certification in Film / Video specialization

2022 Freedom Fund Outstanding Community Leader


On April 2, 2022, Superintendent Dr. Robert Bostic has been selected for the 2022 Freedom Fund Outstanding Community Leader Award, and he will be honored at a breakfast hosted by the NAACP – Missouri City Chapter. The award is to honor exemplary leaders who foster change through services and bring about significant improvements in the lives of those in the community. Dr. Bostic was chosen due to his excellent leadership and contributions to opportunities for those living in Fort Bend County.

Stafford Economic Development Corporation News

Stafford continues to grow economically with the projects at hand. To start off, we are excited to announce that the 7-Eleven in The Grid has opened it's doors. The 7-Eleven is serving the community with a convenient store and their breakfast tacos and lunches at Laredo Taco within it.

Additional Projects
  • The Lazy Dog is under construction and hopefully will be opening in 2 to 3 months.
  • The ground is being graded for the Kelsey Seybold Clinic. It’ll be completed in the Fall, weather permitting.
  • The Avenue at South Main is complete, and the owner is taking applications for office rental.
  • The Chevron station on the east side of the Island continues to move forward on completion.
  • Main  Park and business condominium is 90% finished.
  • Trinity Dr. is currently being completed and anticipated completion is end of March.
  • Cash Road extension is in full use bringing in extremely better circulation in the area. You can drive from Stafford Road to Highway 59.

 Best Regards,
 Wen Guerra, SEDC President

Coming up in Stafford

Lots of fun coming up in Stafford! Find out about all events hosted at Stafford Centre by clicking here.

City Updates

Tree Limb Pick up
Week of April 4th
City offices will be closed 
Friday, April 15th
Monday, May 30th 
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Contactus@StaffordTX.gov

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