Zooming in
Commissioners voted 3-2 to unbind the newly formed CRAC from the Texas Open Records Act, with Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers calling their powers “strictly advisory.” Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage and Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy dissented.
Meyers cited an opinion from the Texas attorney general’s office that states advisory committees are not subject to open meetings acts. He also said he objected to holding meetings privately due to past concerns about how redistricting was done after the 2020 census.
“I thought it was wrong then, and I think it is wrong now,” Meyers said.
The new discussion comes after the CRAC met Sept. 15 without public notice and refused to allow McCoy’s nominee, Nicole Roberts, to attend virtually.
Prestage, McCoy and the county attorney’s office argued the move was illegal.
“I don’t think the court has the authority to make a motion that is not legal, and telling them that they are suddenly, by command of the commissioners court, not required to follow state law is not something that I think the commissioners court is authorized to do,” Assistant County Attorney Michelle Turner said. “Otherwise, you could suspend all kinds of rules and laws and just continue to do however you want to, unchecked.”
Prestage urged the court to consider future damage and stand by the county attorney.
“In the four different redistricting processes I’ve been a part of, never have we participated in risky behavior,” Prestage. “I think right now, we have to stand by the opinion of our council, and our official council, by statute, is the county attorney.”
McCoy said taxpayer time and money could be better spent on housing affordability, law enforcement salaries and health care.
What else
A motion to give law firm Rogers, Morris & Grover the power to provide legal advice on the redistricting process with no involvement from the county attorney passed 3-1, with McCoy dissenting and Prestage absent for the vote.
Turner said the court lacked the legal authority to pass the motion, which usurps the power of the county attorney’s office. She cited Cascos v. Cameron, which states that the Fort Bend County attorney has the exclusive right to represent the court in all civil and county matters.
“That’s not my opinion, that’s written in the law,” Turner said.
What’s next?
According to the county calendar, the CRAC will host four public hearings—one in each precinct—to hear public input on redistricting. Meetings will be held on:
- Precinct 1: Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy, Sept. 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Precinct 2: Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Precinct 3: Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Precinct 4: Historic Fort Bend County Courthouse, 401 Jackson St., Richmond, Sept. 22 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
