Frequently Asked Questions

No.

We are authorized up to 67 officers.

There are two shifts:

• Days (6 am to 6 pm)
• Nights (6 pm to 6 am)

For more information on the equipment issued to new patrol officers, visit the Salary, Benefits and Rewards page.

There is a Take Home Program for Sergeants (and above), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and other specialized positions. Also we have a new fleet that revolves with less than 80,000 miles per car.

• 14 paid holidays (including 1 floating holiday)
• 12 paid sick days (3.69 hours per pay period)
• 15 paid vacation days per year (after 6 months of continuous duty)

Starting salary for entry-level police officer is $70,686 to $91,686, depending on qualifications. This does not include incentive pays which begin 6 months after start date.

Check out the detailed Pay Plan Scale on our Salary, Benefits and Rewards page.

13 months with the Friendswood Police Department as a full-time service as a Police Officer.

The background process varies from person to person but usually takes 2 to 4 months.

1. Apply online
2. Submit background packet
3. Preliminary screening
4. Written exam
5. Oral interview board
6. Background investigation
7. Command panel interview
8. Medical exam and drug screening
9. Psychological exam and interview

No, but there is a pre-employment physical administered to all applicants by a physician designated by the Police Department at no cost to the applicant. And applicant’s weight must be proportional to height.

40,827 residents.

$125,052 per year.

For more information on crime in Friendswood, visit the Annual Report page.

Yes, applicants can order a study guide from the testing company at the Bannon and Associates website.

Yes.

You may apply anytime you see a peace officer position listed under the City of Friendswood job listings.

This is determined on a case by case basis. However, we try to accomplish the hiring process for an out of town applicant in as little as two visits.

No, however, you may submit your scores from another agency where you took the same exam as long as it has been less than a year and the agency is willing to submit the score in writing on Department Letterhead with your personal identifying information.

We have not officially analyzed the data. However, I can say that our attrition rate is low. Most of our new hires are from new budgeted positions, which is usually two per year.

It varies with the budget and attrition, but it is on the average of two.

Yes. You can contact the Office of Professional Standards and Training to obtain an application.

Yes, no tattoos are allowed on the hands, face, or neck, and no tattoo may contain derogatory language or images

The test is comprised of five dimensions:

• Reading Comprehension
• Grammar
• Spelling
• Math
• Fact versus Inference

Visit the Eligibility Requirements page to learn more.

Please visit the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Out of State page. Upon appointment you will be assigned to the patrol division where you will be assigned to the Field Training Program. There is no In-house Police Academy; however, there is a short in-house orientation period before entering the Field Training Program.

Yes, this is mandated by the State of Texas (TCOLE).

21 years of age.

To learn more about the assignments, positions, and roles one might find within the Police Department, visit the Assignments and Roles page.

To view any current job openings for which the Police Department might be hiring, visit the Application Portal.

The Splashpad is open daily from 8AM-8PM. *The Splashpad is open seasonally from the months of March - November. 

Yes, the Leavesley Park Jones Hangar is often referred to as the Jones Hangar, the Hangar, and other variations of the name. It is located at 901 Buckingham in the Regency Estates subdivision.

No, Frankie Carter Randolph Park is a Harris County Park. To make a reservation, please call the Harris County Precinct 2 office at 713-274-2222.

The Leavesley Park Jones Hangar is the only indoor facility available for rent or public use. Visit the City Parks and Reservations page to find out more information about renting the Hangar.

No, a fishing license is not required to fish at the Centennial Park Pond. However, only fishing is allowed from the bank. Nets are not permitted. It is not required to catch and release.

Dogs are allowed at most City parks, with the exception of Renwick Park and the Sportspark. For those parks that do allow dogs, they must remain on a leash.

One full lap is slightly less than one half of a mile. There are markers along the trail to help you determine distance.

Only those who rent the Gazebo or the Large Rotary Pavilion at Stevenson Park OR the Old City Park Pavilion are allowed to bring inflatables to their rental. Inflatables are not allowed at the small Rotary Pavilion. The Parks and Recreation Department requires a copy of the insurance information from the inflatable rental company with the City of Friendswood listed as additionally insured. Driving into the park is prohibited. Bounce houses and other inflatables must be unloaded in the parking lot.

• Car and Bike Show - Friendswood Chamber of Commerce
  Phone: 281-482-3329
• Farmer’s Market - Benette Rowley
• Halloween in the Park - Friendswood Chamber of Commerce
  Phone: 281-482-3329
• Purple Patriot Car Show - AJ Loupe
  Phone: 281-992-0047
• Friendswood Rotary Regatta  - info@rotaryregatta.org

To volunteer to work with the City’s special events, please create an account and register online for your desired event under the "Volunteer Opportunities" tab. You can always contact the Parks & Rec department via email at rec@friendswood.com for any other inquiries and opportunities.

All City property, bulletin boards, electronic reader boards, and websites are used for City advertisements and events only. Personal or business advertising is prohibited.

To register your child(ren), please log in and create an account at least three days before the registration date. Accounts will be approved following residency verification. Once in the Catalog, click on the "Summer Camp" tab, then select the first session that you want to register for. Select the child/ children you would like to enroll, then if applicable, click the next session you would like to enroll in and go through the same process. 

Necessary Documents:

1. Current Year Registration Form
2. Birth Certificate
3. Picture
4. Health Insurance Card
5. Current Water Bill (It must be a Water Bill. Other utility bills are not accepted.)

Documents can be uploaded to your account at the Parks site in the "Document Upload" section under "My Account."

No, the deadline for documents to be uploaded is typically about a month after the start of registration. While you can still register without your documents being uploaded, if all of the required documents are not uploaded by the deadline, you may be dropped from your registered sessions.

Questions about employee conduct or allegations of misconduct, to include racial profiling, will be classified and processed for investigation. To make a complaint, you may contact the Friendswood Police Department at 281-996-3300; by email; or in person or in writing at:

1600 Whitaker
Friendswood, TX 77546

• Say as much as you can about your complaint.
• Describe what happened.
• Give the name or badge number of the officer(s) concerned (if you know them).
• Say where and when the incident took place.
• Give the names and addresses of any witnesses (if you have them).

Normally a supervisory officer will visit you on an informal basis to tell you about the complaints procedure and to give you the opportunity to discuss your complaint. Whenever possible, the supervisory officer will explain why the officer, subject to the complaint, took a certain course of action. In addition, the supervisory officer will explain what the officer’s duties were, what the police powers were, and the context in which the officer acted. 

Experience has shown that many people are unaware of the limitations of police authority and that an explanation provided by a supervisory officer may help to clarify the situation. If you are satisfied with the explanation given by the supervisory officer, your complaint will proceed no further. 

You may be asked to sign a release confirming that you are satisfied with this disposition. A record will be maintained of what has taken place. Any allegation of criminal conduct or policy violation would not be subject to informal resolution.

Internal Affairs is a staff function of the Office of the Chief of Police. The function is staffed only as there are cases requiring action. The selection of an official to investigate a complaint will be made by the Chief of Police or his designee.

The investigating officer will talk to:

• Any related information such as citations, offense reports, audiotapes or videotapes
• Any witnesses
• The officer(s) you have filed a complaint against
• You

It is important that you allow the Chief of Police a reasonable opportunity to carry out an investigation into your complaint and respond in writing to you. If at the conclusion of the investigation you are not satisfied with the manner in which the Chief of Police has dealt with your complaint, you may address your complaint to the District Attorney’s Office.

Wherever possible, you should speak to the supervisory officer to whom you first made your complaint. As an alternative, you can notify the Chief of Police. If your complaint has led to criminal proceedings against any employee any decision to continue with those proceedings will rest with the District Attorney’s Office.  

If you have a complaint about a supervisory police officer, you should contact the Chief of Police.

The Chief of Police is responsible for all internal affairs matters. Except for extraordinary circumstances, he supports the assigned investigator, assuring the investigator has access to any and all resources required, and provides staff review.

The codes are available online at the Municode website.

• Weeds and grass over 9 inches in height are in violation of the Friendswood City Code
• Inoperable vehicles, which is any vehicle which does not have lawfully affixed tags and which is:
  • Wrecked
  • Dismantled
  • Partially dismantled
  • Discarded
  • Has remained inoperable for a continuous period of more than thirty consecutive days on private property or seventy-two hours if the vehicle is on public property. If the inoperable vehicle remains on public property it would be an issue for the Friendswood Police department
• Unsanitary pools: a pool not being maintained properly results in an unsanitary situation that could cause health and safety issues as well as creating a breeding place for mosquitoes
• Drainage: side lot and rear yard swales are the most common method used to move water from a property to the storm water system. Blocking or altering these swales with fences and/or gardens so that drainage is adversely affected is a violation
• Dilapidated fence: inadequate bracing, broken or rotten posts, or loose or missing fence pickets are not only unsightly but also create safety concerns because of the damage they can cause during storm events. All fences are to be kept in good repair

Complaints may be filed at Friendswood City Hall with the Code Enforcement Officer or by phone at 281-996-3205.

Written complaints may be filed:

• Via email
• Via fax at 281-996-3260
• Via postal mail to:
  910 S Friendswood Drive
  Friendswood, TX 77546
  Attn: Code Enforcement

You may chose to stay anonymous, however, the Code Enforcement Officer will not be able to inform you of any actions taken or planned.

After the violation is confirmed, a notice is sent to the property owner directing them to remove or correct the violation within 10 days of the service of such notice. If additional actions are necessary, they will be conducted according to regulations in the Friendswood City Code.

A junk vehicle means any motor vehicle that is:

1. Inoperable and has an expired license plate or an expired inspection sticker and which is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, or discarded; or
2. Has remained inoperable for a continuous period of more than:
   1. 72 consecutive hours if the vehicle is on public property; or
   2. 30 consecutive days, if the vehicle is on private property.

A violation for having an unauthorized junk vehicle on your property visible from any city street is punishable by a fine.

The City of Friendswood has two separate departments that enforce the City’s junk vehicle ordinance depending on where the vehicle is located:

• For vehicles on a city street (public right-of-way) please call the Friendswood Police Department at 281-996-3300.
• For vehicles on a yard or private residence visible from any city street please call the Community Development Division, Code Enforcement at 281-996-3201.

Vehicles on City Streets

During the time a complaint is filed with the dispatcher, the caller will be asked to provide the license plate, make, model and vehicle color if available, and the street or address where it is parked. An officer will respond and investigate.

If it is determined that the vehicle meets the criteria of a junk vehicle, a notice is attached to the vehicle and attempts are made to notify the owner. After 72 hours, vehicles still on city right-of-way are subject to immediate removal and disposal by the City. A city-approved tow company will then remove the vehicle.

Vehicles on Property Visible from City Streets

Once the Code Enforcement division of Community Development Department receives a complaint regarding a junk vehicle on private property visible from any city street, Code Enforcement will respond to the location and investigate the complaint. If it is determined that the vehicle meets the criteria of a junk vehicle and is visible from any city street,

Code Enforcement will attempt to locate the last known address of the registered and legal owner of the vehicle.

Notices will then be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, as well as the owner of the property on which the vehicle resides and must be removed within 10 days. After notice has been sent and if no hearing has been requested, if the vehicle remains on the residence after the 10-day period, the owner will be subject to a fine. If the vehicle continues to remain, the City seeks to remove the vehicle, dispose of it by a licensed vehicle wrecker, and recover any costs from the owner.

Utility customers must complete an application for service and deliver to our office at 910 S Friendswood Drive at least one business day before services are initiated or transferred, for details visit our City Rates and Services page.

For contact information and a links to application forms, visit our Utility Billing page.

The utility services provided by the City are water, sewer and refuse (garbage) services. For details on setting up Utilities with the City of Friendswood, visit our City Services and Rates page.

The City of Friendswood requires an Application for Utility Service and a deposit. To have your deposit waived, we require a two year "payment history" or "Letter of Credit" from your current water utility provider current within last 90 days, which shows no more than one late payments. Apartment complex water payments do not apply.

For more details on current deposit rates, visit our Establish Service page.

As payment for your deposit, we accept:

• Cash
• Cashier’s check
• Check
• Credit/Debit cards (MasterCard, Visa or Discover)
• Money order

Checks are made payable to City of Friendswood. For more details, visit our City Services and Rates page.

Deposits paid to initiate water service are held for a period of two years. Within that two year period, the account must reflect no more than one late payment and no disconnects. The deposit will then be credited to the account at the two year mark or upon termination if account closed before 2 years.

A letter of credit or payment history is accepted in lieu of the deposit. It is a letter or payment history that indicates the payment status on the water account. This is provided by the previous water company.

The City of Friendswood Utility Billing department accepts letters of credit that are of a two year payment history within last 90 days and show that payments were made in a timely manner with no more than one late payments and no disconnections.

To obtain a letter of credit or payment history, contact either your current or previous water company.

Once the application for utility service and deposit is paid, water can be restored the next business day, excluding holidays.

There are various reasons for a high water bill. Each bill represents the previous two months of water, sewer and trash service. The water meter is read every two months through a contractor (Severn Trent).

• High bills may be due to:
• More water usage
• Pool fillings
• Irrigating lawns more often or during dry spells
• Leaks that are on the property

The City of Friendswood bills water, sewer and trash services on a bimonthly (every-other-month) basis.

Reasons vary as to why your bill indicates a balance forward. Either a late penalty was applied after the bill was paid, a penalty fee was applied due to disconnection of water service or a returned check, or an unpaid balance from the previous bill.

The Utility Billing Department bills four different billing cycles; two cycles per month. Although the City’s Ordinance is written in monthly terms, the City of Friendswood bills bimonthly.

At this time, there is not an expected change on billing; therefore, the City will continue to bill on a bimonthly basis.

Payments can be made over the phone by using either a MasterCard, Visa or Discover.

Contact the Utility Billing office at 281-996-3232.

Payments can be made online through our website using a MasterCard, Visa, or Discover.

To get set up, visit our Utility Billing website, and select Quick Pay or Register/Login Account if you have your current bill and enter the requested information.

The Watersmart portal is now live.  Click on https://friendswoodtx.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome to sign in or create an account. 

Depending on the severity of the leak, sometimes the leak is noticeable and sometimes not. A running toilet is an indication of a toilet leak, although, some toilets may incur a "silent" leak, which is harder to detect. Food coloring can be used to test toilet leaks. Just place a few drops of food coloring in the tank of the toilet. Allow a couple of hours to pass without flushing the toilet. If the food coloring has moved from the tank to the bowl of the toilet, then that is an indication the toilet has a leak.

A recommended way to check for a leak is to allow at least 4 to 5 hours where no water is being used, or no toilets flushed. Read the water meter before the duration and read it again after the duration. The read should be the same; if the read is higher at the end of the duration, then that is a possible indication there could be a leak present (if no water was used or toilets flushed during the duration.)

Once a leak is detected and is confirmed it is on your property, then a plumber must be contacted to repair the leak. For toilets, you can purchase a toilet repair kit which will include materials needed for the repair.

The City of Friendswood does offer a one-time adjustment due to a leak. This does not apply to defective or out-of-repair faucets or other plumbing fixtures such as toilets.

You must complete an Application for Excusable Defect and return to the billing office after you receive your bill reflecting the leak. The process can take up to two weeks and the due date of the bill does not change.

The City of Friendswood calculates sewer charges based on Winter Quarter Average (WQA) so pool adjustments are not offered. The water consumption from the December through February or November through January bills are combined and divided by two to obtain the WQA for sewer charges.

The WQA is recalculated every year and this is the figure used for the upcoming year. If you are filling a new pool or draining and refilling a pool due to repairs during the billing periods listed above, please provide a letter from the pool company stating the dates of the fill and the gallons used so this can be taken into consideration when recalculating the WQA for the upcoming year.

• The main number to the City of Friendswood is 281-996-3200.
• The non-emergency number to the Police Department is 281-996-3300.
• For other department contacts, visit the Staff Directory.

The county in which you reside sprays for mosquitoes. Please contact the appropriate office at one of the following numbers:

• Harris County Mosquito Control
  • Phone: 713-440-4800
• Galveston County Mosquito Control
  • Phone: 281-534-2726
  • Galveston County Mosquito Control page

The City of Friendswood provides the electricity for the streetlights in your neighborhood. However, the lights are maintained by either CenterPoint Energy in Harris County or Texas-New Mexico Power Company in Galveston County. To report any problems, please contact the appropriate company.

Harris County

CenterPoint Energy

Phone: 713-207-2222, select option 4

Galveston County

Texas-New Mexico Power Company

Phone: 888-866-7456

Any composition or device designed to produce a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation, including firecrackers, cannon crackers, skyrockets, torpedoes, Roman candles, sparklers, squibs, fire balloons, star shells, gerbs, or any other substance in whatever combination by any designated name intended for use in obtaining visible or audible pyrotechnic display. The term shall include all articles or substances within the commonly accepted meaning of fireworks, whether specially designated and defined in this section or not (Municipal Code Se. 30-139).

Fireworks are not allowed to be sold within the City of Friendswood. Annually, sellers operate stands just outside the city limits and jurisdiction of the City of Friendswood.

The Watersmart portal is now live.  Click on https://friendswoodtx.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome to sign in or create an account. 

In January 2022, the City of Friendswood began a meter conversion project for all of its residential and commercial water utility customers. Once the project begins, it is expected to take 12 to 18 months to replace approximately 14,000 meters throughout the City’s water utility system, install data transmission equipment, and implement the customer information portal. The City is working with the company Ameresco, and their subcontractor RTS/EnvoCore, to replace outdated manual meters with upgraded meters as part of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. This AMI water meter project will upgrade and modernize the City’s water billing infrastructure.

Customers will not be charged for the new meter. The City of Friendswood will incur all costs for the new meter, the installation of the meter and repairs to the meter area from damage caused by the installation.

AMI stands for Advanced Metering Infrastructure. These new AMI meters consist of a water meter with a low-powered communication device/radio that is continuously recording usage and the radio sends a meter reading to the city through a secure network every 6 to 12 hours.

With this AMI water meter project, customers will have access to more frequent detailed information about water consumption, enabling them to have better control over their water usage and utility bills. Upon completion of the meters installation and testing, customers will be sent information on how to access and use the new technologies that come with the new system.

In most cases, less than 30 minutes.

Ameresco and RTS/EnvoCore employees will be properly identified with their company logo on their vehicles and uniforms. 

In most cases, the work will be performed Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There may be some work performed on Saturday.

Yes. Signage will be placed in the work area as work crews begin to install new meters in that location. Before starting the replacement process at a residence, a member of the installation team will give a courtesy knock on the front door. If a customer answers the door, the team member will explain the process and ask that the customer not use any water for approximately 30 minutes during the installation. If there is no response, and before beginning the installation the team will attempt to determine that water is not currently being used. If it is determined that water is currently in use, the team will proceed with work on another customer meter and return to re-attempt the installation.

Yes. Work crews will place a door hanger at the residence to indicate the installation process has begun on replacing the water meters in the neighborhood but due to scheduling or the availability of supplies the installation process will require a return visit to your property to complete the new meter.  If a temporary pause in the installation process occurs, it will not disrupt water service to the customer.

Yes. Work crews will place a door hanger at a residence if they are unable to access the meter location or need the resident’s assistance in other ways before the meter can be changed out. This may include the meter being behind a locked gate, unsecured dog or other obstructions that prevent crews from performing their work.

Yes. Work crews will place a door hanger at the residence once the new meter is installed and it will provide instructions to follow on flushing your lines if needed.

In most cases, there will be an interruption of service for approximately 15 to 30 minutes during the meter replacement.

No, they do not need to enter your home. If the water meter is behind a fence, workers will need access to that part of the property. Ameresco, RTS/EnvoCore, or City of Friendswood employees will not have to enter homes at any time to perform meter replacement work.

No, your new meter does not require any maintenance by the customer. The City of Friendswood will address all maintenance. Once installed, customers will be responsible for meter replacement costs if damages occur.

Total Votes: 4,177                  

Early Voted: 3,337 

Mayor:

Omar Peck 

1,895      45.97% 

Mike Foreman 

2,227      54.03% 

Position 1:

Steve Rockey 

2.034      51.89% 

Michael Wood 

1,886      48.11% 

Position 3:

Trish Hanks 

2,240      54.89% 

Philip Ratisseau 

1,841      45.11% 

Position 4:

Robert J. Griffon 

2,186      54.77% 

Brent Erenwert 

1,805      45.23% 

Galveston Drainage Dist. Director Position 3:

Carl J. Horecky 

1,447      45.20% 

Marcus Rives 

1,754      54.80% 

Galveston Drainage Dist. Director Position 4:

Harold L. Whitaker 

1,676      51.36% 

Mike Barker 

497       15.23% 

Christine L. Mangle-Smith 

1,090    33.40

Total Votes: 4,440                Early Voted: 2,226

City of Friendswood, Texas Proposition A    

THE ISSUANCE OF $2,000,000 TAX BONDS BY THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS FOR DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, AND EXPANDING THE MUNICIPAL PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY LOCATED OFF OF BLACKHAWK BOULEVARD IN THE CITY. TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS WILL BE IMPOSED.

For 2,202                                     Against 2,137

City of Friendswood, Texas Proposition B

THE ISSUANCE OF $9,100,000 TAX BONDS BY THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS FOR CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, RENOVATING AND EQUIPPING PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES FOR THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS, CONSISTING OF THE MUNICIPAL PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AND A NEW FIRE STATION AND TRAINING FIELD TO REPLACE FIRE STATION NUMBER 2 IN THE CITY. TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS WILL BE IMPOSED.

For 2,394                                     Against 1,959

City of Friendswood, Texas Proposition C

THE ISSUANCE OF $9,000,000 TAX BONDS BY THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS FOR DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, AND EXPANDING THE MUNICIPAL COMMUNITY CENTER LOCATED OFF OF MORNINGSIDE DRIVE IN THE CITY. TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS WILL BE IMPOSED.

For 1,705                                     Against 2,617

City of Friendswood, Texas Proposition D

THE ISSUANCE OF $7,600,000 TAX BONDS BY THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS FOR IMPROVING, RENOVATING, UPGRADING AND RECONSTRUCTING TRANSPORTATION AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN THE CITY, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING STREETS AND ROADS IN THE CITY AND OTHER RELATED COSTS, INCLUDING THE EXTENSION OF FRIENDSWOOD LAKES BOULEVARD (ALSO KNOWN AS FRIENDSWOOD PARKWAY), THE INSTALLATION OF SIDEWALKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND VARIOUS TRAFFIC ENHANCEMENTS ALONG MAJOR COLLECTOR AND ARTERIAL ROADWAYS IN THE CITY. TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS WILL BE IMPOSED.

For 2,028                                    Against 2,313

City of Friendswood, Texas Proposition E

THE ISSUANCE OF $8,000,000 TAX BONDS BY THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS FOR DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING, EXPANDING AND EQUIPPING PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE CITY, AND THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AND INTERESTS IN LAND FOR SUCH PURPOSES, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENTS TO, AND EXPANSION OF, STEVENSON PARK, OLD CITY PARK, RENWICK PARK, 1776 PARK AND THE CITY POOL. TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS WILL BE IMPOSED.

For 2,121                                       Against 2,206

City of Friendswood, Texas Proposition F

THE ISSUANCE OF $41,000,000 TAX BONDS BY THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS FOR CONSTRUCTING, ACQUIRING AND INSTALLING STORMWATER DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS ALONG CLEAR CREEK THROUGHOUT THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY, INCLUDING DREDGING, CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITY RELOCATION AND THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AND INTERESTS IN LAND NECESSARY FOR SAID IMPROVEMENTS. TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS WILL BE IMPOSED. 

For 2,954                                    Against 1,398

Total Votes: 3,245

Early Voted: 2,416 

Position 2:

Sally Branson 

1,740      54.82% 

Omar Peck 

1,434      45.18% 

Position 5:

David O’Farrell 

1,318      41.26% 

John Scott 

1,876      58.74

Proposition #1:

For: 2,639      84.77% 

Against: 474      15.23% 

Proposition #2:

For: 2,395      81.13%       

Against: 557      18.87% 

Proposition #3: 

For: 1,959      63.71% 

Against: 1,116      36.29% 

Proposition #4:

For: 2,541      84.62% 

Against: 462 1     5.38% 

Proposition #5:

For: 1,443      48.47% 

Against: 1,534      51.53% 

Proposition #6:

For: 1,844      62.19% 

Against: 1,121      37.81% 

Proposition #7:

For: 2,284      77.90% 

Against: 648      22.10% 

Proposition #8:

For: 2,465      82.52% 

Against: 522      17.48%

Total Votes: 2,422

Early Voted: 1,802 

Position 4:

Mike Foreman

1,817      100%

Position 6:

Mike Stacey

1,034      45.29%

Carl W. Gustafson

1,249       54.71%

Street Maintenance Sales and Use Tax:

For: 1,485      61.62%

Against: 925      38.38%

Downtown Improvements Sales and Use Tax:

For: 1,274      52.89%

Against: 1,135      47.11%

Total Votes: 3,766 

Early Voted: 2,477

Mayor:

Kevin Holland

2,358 63.30%

Janis Lowe

1,367 36.70%

Position 1: 

Tom Timmins

1,324 37.56%

Steve Rockey

2,201 62.44%

Position 3:

Jim Hill

2,250 62.74%

Carl Gustafson

1,336 37.26%

Proposition #1

For: 2,885 83.48%

Against: 571 16.52%

Proposition #2

For: 2,896 83.48%

Against: 527 15.40%

Proposition #3 

For: 2,743 79.99%

Against: 686 20.01%

Proposition #4

For: 2,363 68.69%

Against: 1,077 31.31%

Proposition #5

For: 2,945 84.55%

Against: 538 15.45%

Proposition #6

For: 2,712 79.74%

Against: 689 20.26%

Proposition #7

For: 2,166 63.08%

Against: 1,268 36.92%

Proposition #8 

For: 2,145 62.70%

Against: 1,276 37.30%

Proposition #9 

For: 2,496 73.33%

Against: 908 26.67%

Proposition #10

For: 2,227 65.79%

Against: 1,158 34.21%

Proposition #11

For: 2,496 73.26%

Against: 911 26.74%

Proposition #12

For: 2,473 73.82%

Against: 877 26.18%

Total Votes: 1,835 

Early Voted: 967 

Mayor

David J.H. Smith

1,273     100 %

Position 1

Michael Barker

1,218     100 %

Position 3

Jim Hill

1,236     100 %

Charter Amendment

For: 1,163     65.15 %

Against: 622     34.85 %

Bond #1

For: 706     38.77 %

Against: 1,115     61.23 %

Bond #2

For: 887     47.95 %

Against: 952     52.05 %

Total Votes: 2808 

Early Voted: 1511 

Position 4 

Jay Horecky 

189      43.95 % 

Leslie Reid 241      56.05 % 

Position 6 

Andy Rivera 242      56.28 % 

Marcus Rives 188      43.72 % 

Proposition #1

For: 308 

Against: 79 

Proposition #2

For: 359 

Against: 29 

Proposition #3

For: 342 

Against: 42 

Proposition #4 

For: 307

Against 76 

Proposition #5

For: 313 

Against: 88 

Proposition #6

For: 207 

Against: 163 

Proposition #7

For: 295 

Against: 79 

Proposition #8

For: 260 

Against: 126 

Proposition #9 

For: 351 

Against: 38 

Proposition #10

For: 319 

Against: 58 

Proposition #11

For: 291 

Against: 80 

Proposition #12

For: 239 

Against: 119 

Proposition #13

For: 358 

Against: 16 

Proposition #14

For: 284 

Against: 85 

Proposition #15 

For: 251 

Against: 127

Total Votes: 1428 

Early Voted: 766 

Position #4

David J.H. Smith    

825 

Lonnie Moffitt    

519 

Position #6

Mel Measles   

 1035 

Galveston Drainage District Position #1

Benny Baker    

720 

David Charvoz    

567 

Galveston Drainage District Position #2

Gary Harris    

902

Billy Wynn    

290 

Galveston Drainage District Position #4

Harold Whitaker    

1065 

Louie Lunday    

208 

Galveston Drainage District Position #5

Don Barcak    

900 

Noel Truitt

299

Mayor 

Jeffrey Branscome    

1059 

Kim Brizendine    

2116 

Position #1

John Cole 

357 

Robin Hall 

1111 

Laura Ewing 

1577 

Position #3

Tracy Goza 

2325 

Position #4

David J.H. Smith 

2291

Position #2 

Jerry Ericsson 

670 

Jeffery Branscome 

221 

Position #5 

Ken Boggs 

417 

Shannon Kimmel 

521 

Sales Tax Usage 

For: 505 

Against: 484 

Proposition #1 

For: 768 

Against: 151 

Proposition #2 

For: 603 

Against: 295 

Proposition #3 

For: 603 

Against: 322 

Proposition #4 

For: 698 

Against: 193 

Proposition #5 

For: 511 

Against: 397 

Proposition #6 

For: 638 

Against: 284 

Proposition #7 

For: 822 

Against: 82 

Proposition #8 

For: 

Against: 

Proposition #9 

For: 394 

Against: 453

Proposition #10 

For: 756 

Against: 134 

Proposition #11 

For: 656 

Against: 234 

Proposition #12 

For: 396 

Against: 506 

Proposition #13 

For: 271 

Against: 592 

Proposition #14 

For: 801 

Against: 89 

Proposition #15 

For: 767 

Against: 107 

Proposition #16 

For: 646 

Against: 234

Total Votes: 3,716

Total Early Voted Ballots: 1,517 

Total Votes 1997 (Recount): 3,718 

Total Early Voted Ballots 1997: 1,525 

Mayor 

Janis Lowe 

1165 

Harold Whitaker 

2494 

Walter Champion 

51 

Position #1 

Kitten Hajecate 

2321

Position #3 

Chris Peden 

1630 

Tom Manison 

1925 

Position #6 

Sherie Warminski 

1559 

Ricki Morse 

219 

Mel Measeles

 1734 

Proposition #1 

For: 2191 

Against: 943 

Proposition #2 

For: 1835 

Against: 1261 

Proposition #3 

For: 2392 

Against: 781 

Proposition #4 

For: 928 

Against: 2473 

Proposition #5 

For: 2506 

Against: 588 

Proposition #6 

For: 3190 

Against: 164 

Proposition #7 

For: 3038 

Against: 231 

Proposition #8 

For: 2529 

Against: 338 

Proposition #9

For: 2215 

Against: 493 

Proposition #10 

For: 2223 

Against: 455 

Proposition #11 

For: 2471

Against: 365 

Proposition #12 

For: 2270 

Against: 505 

Proposition #13 

For: 2382 

Against: 306 

Proposition #14 

For: 2579 

Against: 226 

Proposition #15 

For: 2330 

Against: 516 

Proposition #16 

For: 3022 

Against: 247 

Proposition #17 

For: 2639 

Against: 447 

Proposition #18 

For: 2682 

Against: 474 

Proposition #19 

For: 2017 

Against: 830 

Proposition #20 

For: 3115 

Against: 133 

Proposition #21 

For: 2725 

Against: 425 

Proposition #22 

For: 2676 

Against: 472

Total Votes: 2,156 

Total Early Voted Ballots: 627 

Position #4

Mel Austin 

1407 

Michael Whittenburg 

706 

Position #6 

Janis Lowe 

1231 

Charles Jordan 

892 

Clear Creek Drainage Position #3

Darrell Bolding 

1186 

Clear Creek Drainage Position #4

Donna Cuevas 

553

Kenneth Shores 

940 

Clear Creek Drainage Position #5 

Raymond Rogers 

1143

Total Votes 1994:  1,793 

Total Early Voted Ballots 1994:  333 

Mayor 

Evelyn Newman 

1,223 

Position #1

Kitten Hajecate 

976 

Richard Jackson 

744 

Position #3

Mel Austin 

827 

Tom Manison 

938 

Position #5

Raymond Thomas 

230 

Michael Whittenburg 

630 

Aline Dickey 

874

Total Votes: 2,497 

Total Early Voted Ballots: 988 

Position #4

Mel Austin 

922 

Kim Brizendine 

1508 

Position #6

Ed Driskill 

1003 

Mel Measeles 

1437 

Clear Creek District Position #3

Carl Horecky 

977 

Darrell Bolding 

889 

Clear Creek District Position #4

Kenneth Shores 

773 

Don Barcak 

1217 

Clear Creek District Position #5

Bobby Houston 

604 

Ray Rogers 

1088 

Bonds & Levy Tax Proposition

For: 475 

Against: 1469

Mayor, Councilmember Positions #1, 3, and 5 

Total Votes: 2,242 

Total Absentee: 168 

Mayor 

Evelyn Newman 

1,115 

Richard Jackson 

1,073 

Position #1 

Kitten Hajecate 

1,351 

Position #3 

Tom Manison 

1,433 

Position #5 

Harold Raley 

1,423

12 Home Rule Charter Proposition, 2 Sales Tax 

Total Votes 1991:  3,986 

Total Absentee 1991:  668 

Proposition #1 

For: 1,041 

Against: 994 

Proposition #2 

For: 1,427 

Against: 625

 Proposition #3 

For: 1347

Against: 608 

Proposition #4 

For: 1,043 

Against: 1,037 

Proposition #5 

For: 1,875 

Against: 213 

Proposition #6

 For: 1,414 

Against: 520 

Proposition #7 

For: 1,341 

Against: 575 

Proposition #8 

For: 824 

Against: 1,184 

Proposition #9 

For: 1,555 

Against: 467 

Proposition #10 

For: 1,553 

Against: 391 

Proposition #11 

For: 1,540 

Against: 543 

Proposition #12 

For: 1,298 

Against: 668 

Proposition #13 

For: 851 

Against: 1273 

Proposition #14 

For: 668 

Against: 1,454

Total Votes: 2,766 

Total Absentee: 376 

Mayor

Gary Shirley 

190 

David Hansen 

1,083 

Paul Schrader 

1,467 

Position #3

Evelyn Newman 

2,080 

Position #5

Frank Urbanic 

554 

Harold Raley 

1,075 

Richard Jackson

947

Mayor 

Paul Schrader

1490 

Ralph Lowe 

1315 

Position #1

Chuck Talbot 

1344 

Ron Ritter

1377 

Position #3

Evelyn Newman 

2087 

Position #5

Linda Yeager

1339 

Jan Jordan 

1395

Mayor 

Mary Brown 

293 

Paul Schrader 

824 

Ralph Lowe 

1182 

Position #1

William Taliaferro 

848 

Leon Brown 

1249 

Position #3

Evelyn Newman 

1139 

Edward Zeitler 

922 

Position #5

Jan Jordan 

1014 

Sandra Quinn 

657 

Louis Hackney 

461

Total Votes: 2133 

Mayor

Ralph Lowe

950 

Bruce Goss 

521 

Position #1

Mary Brown 

1012 

Tom Lay 

999 

Position #3

Newell 

882 

Edward Zeitler 

1031 

Position #5

Paul Schrader 

1015 

Billy Glines 

229 

Joseph Lockridge 

753 

Mayor Run Off Total Votes: 1898 

Dale Whittenburg 

988 

Ralph Lowe 

906

Mayor 

Ralph Lowe 

456 

Position #1

Tom Lay 

497 

Robert Laguarta 

113 

Position #3

Edward Zeitler 

424 

Position #5

Freddie Musgrove 

126 

Thomas Turcich 

67 

Dale Whittenburg

388

Total Votes: 480 

Mayor 

Ralph Lowe 

376 

5 Mayor Write-ins (look in history binder) 

Position #1

Tom Lay 

429 

Position #3

Edward Zeitler 

409 

Position #5

Richard Haken 

358 

Jerry Retzlaff 

101

Total Votes: 1380 

Position #2

Ralph Gonzalez 

538 

Paul Maaz 

824 

Position #4

Jeannette French 

522 

William Patton 

795 

Position #6

Benny Baker 

830 

Ron Brennan 

508

Total Votes: 1936

Mayor

Ralph Lowe 

1038 

Ralph Gonzalez 

717 

Ed Stuart 

168 

Position #1

Milton Windler 

1256 

Harry Van Wagner 

581 

Position #3

Edward Zeitler 

1027 

Janice Koenig 

806 

Position #5 

Richard Haken 

1131 

Ron Brennan 

680

Total Votes: 1315 

Position #2

Ralph Gonzalez 

577 

William Jones 

574 

Dee Prince 

152 

Position #4

William Patton 

776 

Arthur Hutchings 

496

Position #6

Benny Baker 

738 

Robert Newlander 

543

Total Votes: 798 

Mayor 

Ralph Lowe 

411 

Edward Stuart 

381 

Position #1

Milton Windler 

615 

Position #3

John Dysart 

205 

Edward Zeitler 

482 

Edward Frenzel 

56 

Position #5

Richard Haken 

612

Total Votes: 248 

Councilmember Position 

Ralph Gonzalez 

164 

Lee Linson 

57 

Samuel Hill 

25

Total Votes: 592 

Mayor 

Edward Stuart 

467 

Ralph Lowe 

17 

Councilmember Position 

Ronald Hamil 

306 

James Mager 

378 

Lee Linson 

255 

Samuel Hill 

209

Total Votes: 632 

Mayor

Ralph Somers 

395 

Councilmember Positions

James Mager 

340 

John Tuffey 

140 

Ronald Hamil 

354 

Henry Howard 

178 

George McLaren 

144

Total Votes: 808 

Mayor

Ralph Lowe 

414 

Harry Wagner 

381 

Councilmember Position

Ron Hamil 

349 

Wiley Murrell

405 

Marvin Childers 

476 

Arden Hill 

323

Total Votes: 487 

Councilmember Positions

Dale Brown 

285 

Ralph Lowe 

255 

William Davidson 

255 

Layton Johnson 

154 

Frank Coe 

131 

Tony Banfield 

161 

Tracy Spears 

103 

Marie Allman 

53

Total Votes: 118 

Mayor 

Harry Wagner 

243 

Pete Workman 

151 2 

Councilmember Positions

Arden Hill 

154 

Alan McGinnis 

145 

Gene Greathouse 

93 

Dean Saurenman 

67 

Layton Johnson 

64 

Joseph West, Jr. 

58 

Charles Beggs 

117 

William Patton 

41 

Bill White 

29 

M.F. Foster

16

Total Votes: 118

Mayor

Kenneth Camp 

107 

Councilmember Position

Harry Hatcher 

79 

Leon Brown 

93 

Claire Kuiper 

40 

Daryl Pitts 

64 

Gene Greathouse 

68 

C.C. Bost 

83 

Pete Workman 

87 

George Creppon 

37

Total Votes: 2,075 

Total Early Voted Ballots: 555 

Position #2

Greg Hughes

723 

Jerry Ericsson 

1309 

Position #5

Kevin Candee 

929 

Aline Dickey 

1111 

Clear Creek Drainage Position #1

Richard Jackson 

751 

Carl Horecky 

650 

Clear Creek Drainage Position #2

Neil Rancour 

626 

Jack Warner 

597

Position #2 

Bob Wicklander 

629 

Position #4 

Pat Hines 

306 

Phyllis Lee 

610 

Position #6

Joe Prihoda 

647 

Proposition #1 

For: 397 

Against: 393 

Proposition #2 

For: 278 

Against: 508

Mayor 

Thomas Sobey 

732 

Ralph Lowe 

813 

Position #1

Leon Brown 

1034 

Position #3 

Evelyn Newman 

915 

Kenneth Hoppe 

588 

Position #5 

Jan Jordan 

1130

Total Votes: 3302 
Early Voted: 1705 
 

Mayor 
David J.H. Smith 
1,773 
Tracy Goza 
1,501 
 

Position #1 
Laura Ewing 
1,747 
Mike Sharp 
1,496 
 

Position #3 
Jim Hill 
2,360 
 

Position #4 
Troy Hopkins 

1,574 

Jay Horecky 

1,592 

Total Votes: 1,390 

Total Absentee: 145 

Position #2

Bob Wicklander

959 

Lynn Baskind 

404 

Position #4 

Ed Stuart 

723 

Phyllis Lee 

654 

Position #6 

Frank Frankovich 

779 

Linda Yeager 

596

Position #2 

Paul Maaz 549 

Position #4 

Clyde Raney 

470 

P.J. Mize 

200 

Position #6 

R.J. Blanken 

514 

Lloyd Rathburn 

121

Isaac LeMasters 

43

The sales and use tax for street maintenance is a dedicated city sales and use tax, the revenue of which may be spent only on the maintenance and repair of existing municipal streets and sidewalks. 

The funds collected provide cost-effective rehabilitation and preventive maintenance of municipal streets and sidewalks within the city. The goal is to improve mobility infrastructure and maintain roadways to prevent deterioration and costly rebuilds.

The city maintains approximately 186.1 miles of municipal streets.

On May 7, 2016, in a special election, the citizens of the City of Friendswood voted for the imposition of a street maintenance sales and use tax at the rate of three-eighths (3/8) of one percent (1%). This tax must be reauthorized every four years by voters, or it will expire.  The street maintenance sales and use tax was reauthorized by voters on November 3, 2020, and will expire on November 3, 2024, unless reauthorized by the voters.

No, the street maintenance tax is a sales and use tax, not a property tax.  It is levied on qualifying purchases within the city limits.  Therefore, visitors, who do not pay property taxes to the city but utilize city streets, contribute to their maintenance and repair costs when they make taxable purchases within the city.

The City of Friendswood's reauthorization election for the street maintenance sales and use tax is scheduled for May 4, 2024.   For more information on the election, voting locations, and hours visit www.ci.friendswood.tx.us.

Voters will be able to vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the following proposition:

THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX IN THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD AT THE RATE OF THREE-EIGHTHS OF ONE PERCENT TO CONTINUE PROVIDING REVENUE FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF MUNICIPAL STREETS. THE TAX EXPIRES ON THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DATE OF THIS ELECTION UNLESS THE IMPOSITION OF THE TAX IS REAUTHORIZED.

No, only registered voters of the City of Friendswood can vote on the reauthorization of the street maintenance sales and use tax.  For this May 4, 2024, election, residents must register to vote no later than April 4, 2024.

In the past seven years, the city’s street maintenance sales and use tax revenue has averaged approximately $149,506 per month or approximately $1.8M a year in revenue for use on city streets and sidewalks. 

Some of the street maintenance and repair projects supported by the street maintenance sales and use tax include:

• Blackhawk Boulevard Phase 2-B, 
• Blackhawk Boulevard Phase 2-C, 
• Cowards Creek Drive, 
• Garden Drive, 
• Murphy Lane, 
• Greenbriar Drive, 
• Bay Area Boulevard, 
• River Side Court, 
• Whittier Oaks Drive, 
• Pennystone Way, and 
• many others.

The city uses a pavement condition index ("PCI") to inventory conditions of all city streets.   All streets will be prioritized so that the worst-scoring streets are targeted for maintenance or repair first. 

If the reauthorization of the street maintenance sales and use tax is disapproved, the city may not be able to maintain or repair municipal streets and sidewalks in the same manner as it has in the past because this funding source would no longer be available.   To raise the same amount of revenues that the city has collected over the past four years ( ̴$2.1M annually) from property taxes instead of these sales and use taxes, a homeowner, whose net taxable property value (after applicable exemptions) is $300,000, will have to pay approximately $126 more in property taxes annually.

Access the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Tax Guide on Street Maintenance Sales Tax.