FBS: FBISD Adopts Deficit Budget For The First Time In District History (this includes a near $100 million dollar fund balance surplus)-

Fort Bend ISD trustees opt for employee raises over balanced budget
By Barbara Fulenwider

Fort Bend ISD trustees were presented with the option of adopting a balanced budget or giving their 8,000 plus employees a raise, and at their Aug. 11 budget workshop they unanimously chose to give employees an across the board three percent raise – the highest of the three options they considered.

Resident Sues County Over McKeever Tree Removal
by John Pape, FBN

The ongoing controversy over Fort Bend County’s removal of trees along McKeever Road has taken yet another turn, with a Rosharon resident filing suit against the county claiming trees were illegally removed from his property.

Nearly $100 Million In District Fund Balance (Special Acct.)!

FORT BEND ISD
Board considers increase in tax rate, salaries

By ZEN T.C. ZHENG HOUSTON CHRONICLE

A 2-cent tax rate hike and a 3-percent pay raise for all employees are included in a budget proposal that Fort Bend Independent School District officials are fine-tuning for 2008-09.
Residents will have a chance to tell school officials what they think about the proposed budget of $474 million at a public meeting on Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. at the district administration building, 16431 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land. . .