Houston City Council Approves $50 Million Deal with The Woodlands to Prevent Future Annexation
The Houston City Council has approved a deal to receive $50 million from The Woodlands Township over the next four years. In exchange, Houston has agreed not to annex the township. This agreement, passed by a 13-to-1 vote, amends a Regional Participation Agreement that began in 2007, which previously required The Woodlands to pay a portion of its sales tax into a Regional Participation Fund (RPF) and provided protection from annexation until 2057. The new amendment eliminates these annual sales tax payments and the long-term RPF structure. The $50 million includes $22.6 million from the existing RPF, which will be directed to Houston's general fund, and an additional $27.4 million in unrestricted funds from The Woodlands, spread over three years. Houston Mayor John Whitmire described the deal as a "win-win," stating the funds would support the city's 24 departments and 23,000 employees. However, Houston Controller Chris Hollins criticized the agreement, calling it a "bad deal" and estimating a potential lo... 
