Holiday Lights Viewing

No Holiday (LIGHTS) PARKING, DROP OFF OR PICK UP.
HAY RIDES ARE PROHIBITED @ PECAN GROVE PARK, MEMORIAL PARK AND WINDMILL PARK.

VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO BE TOWED

Ensuring Our Community’s Safety: Understanding the Proposed Fire Fee Increase

Pecan Grove Fire Department Residents,

As your Fire Chief, I want to bring to your attention an important matter that directly impacts on the safety and well-being of our community. We have recently submitted a request to increase the fire fee by $3.98 per month, bringing the total to $27.56 per month. This adjustment is necessary to support our proposed budget of $3.3 million for 2025.

To provide some context, the typical budget for a fire department serving an area and population like ours, Aliana, and Cinco Ranch, is approximately $4.5 million. This would translate into a monthly fire fee of $38.00 per month. Our proposed budget, while more conservative, is essential to maintaining the critical services we provide to our communities.

One of the key reasons for this increase is the need to sustain the minimum staffing of three firefighters per fire engine—a standard we implemented in mid-2024. Having three firefighters on each engine is crucial for effective firefighting, rescue operations, CPR, and all other emergency incidents that we respond to. While the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a staffing level of four firefighters per engine, our current level of three is the minimum required to ensure both the safety of our firefighters and the effectiveness of our emergency response.

Maintaining this staffing level is also essential for preserving our ISO 2 fire rating. This rating plays a significant role in keeping homeowner insurance rates lower. For example, if our ISO rating were to drop to a 5, the annual insurance premium for a $300,000 home would increase to approximately $3,156. However, by maintaining our ISO 2 rating, that same policy would cost around $2,645—a savings of over $500. For a $500,000 home, the savings would be even greater, around $800 per year.

Another factor contributing to the need for this fee increase is the growing reliance on part-time paid firefighters. While we are actively working to increase our volunteer membership, it is not sufficient to meet the demands of our expanding and aging neighborhood. The need for dependable, trained personnel is more critical than ever, and part-time staffing helps fill this gap.

Additionally, Fort Bend County is eliminating financial support to all fire departments within the county. This significant loss in revenue unfortunately must be passed on to our residents to ensure that we can continue to provide the level of service you deserve and expect.

We understand that any increase in fees is a concern, but we believe this is a necessary step to ensure the safety of our community. The increase will allow us to continue providing the high-quality emergency services that protect our residents, homes, and businesses.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of the Pecan Grove Fire Department. Together, we can maintain the safety and well-being of our wonderful community.

Sincerely,

Chief Jerod Vontz
Pecan Grove Volunteer Fire Department

Pecan Grove Country Club Purchase

Pecan Grove Municipal Utility District (the “District”) has closed on the purchase of the Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club. The District has leased a portion of the purchased facilities (the golf course and country club building) to “The Club at Pecan Grove, Inc.” Residents of the District and the general public will have access to the leased facilities pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement entered into by and between the District and “The Club at Pecan Grove, Inc.”

The tennis courts, pool & workout facility were purchased by the District and will become open to the public for use and enjoyment. The District will post rules and guidelines for these facilities in the near future.

The Club at Pecan Grove and Pecan Grove Municipal Utility District

Pecan Grove Municipal Utility District (PGMUD) has become involved in the possible acquisition of Pecan Grove Country Club (PGCC).  The current owners of (PGCC) are in negotiations to sell the assets of the club to new owners.  A group of current members, The Club at Pecan Grove (TCPG), was looking to buy the assets if they could raise the capital to complete a deal.  The sale was not a certainty and the continued viability of PGCC or its successor is of major importance for our neighborhood.  If the current owners are unable to sell it, there is concern that it might be abandoned.  This would have very negative effect on property values in Pecan Grove subdivision.  The value of homes and property could decline by 10% to 20%, according to the Matheson and Associates, the financial advisor to PGMUD.

Something similar happened to the Quail Valley Country Club course several years ago and the impact on values was so substantial that Missouri City stepped in, bought the course and renovated it and the increase in property values has more than made up for the previous impact.

PGMUD is proposing to buy just the physical assets of PGCC and make arrangements for TCPG to manage those assets along with the membership.  Currently this acquisition is on going and will take several months to come to realization.  PGMUD will provide updates periodically in this website.