It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting High Desert Museum in Bend, TX gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bend, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I am so grateful for the exceptional care my mother received from Always Best Care of Boerne. Ken, the owner, and Veronica, our appointment scheduler, were both wonderful from the very beginning. Veronica was fantastic—she was an incredibly effective and caring communicator. She kept me fully informed about caregiver schedules, promptly addressed any concerns about my mom, and even reached out to other family members when I wasn’t available. Her thoughtfulness and reliability made a stressful time so much easier to navigate. What touched our family most was how genuinely the caregivers cared—not only for my mom, but also for my dad, even though he was not under their care. Their compassion and kindness went above and beyond and gave us tremendous peace of mind. I highly recommend Always Best Care of Boerne to anyone looking for professional, compassionate in-home care. Thank you to Ken, Veronica, and the entire team for the wonderful support and dedication. We truly appreciate you.”
“We are very grateful for Kass and the team at Always Best Care Senior Services - Home Care Services in Boerne. We needed dependable in-home senior care in Fredericksburg, Texas for my mother, who is also on hospice, and finding the right care partner had been difficult. After looking around and talking to multiple options, we finally found a team that is truly living up to expectations. The hospice support is important, but the in-home care component has made a major difference for our family. Kass has been responsive, compassionate, professional, and consistent. The caregivers have helped provide the extra daily support, comfort, and attention my mother needs, while also giving our family more peace of mind. It is clear that Ken and the ownership team care about doing this the right way. They understand that families are not just looking for basic home care services — they are looking for trust, communication, reliability, and people who treat their loved ones with dignity. For anyone searching for senior home care, caregiver services, hospice support assistance, companion care, or personal care in Fredericksburg, Boerne, Kerrville, Comfort, or the Texas Hill Country, I would strongly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services. They have been a blessing to our family, and we appreciate the care and professionalism they have shown.”
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“Everyone is so caring and the office staff jumps in to help anytime there is a need. Communicate so easily. I’ve always felt so comfortable and trusting of their caregivers and service.”
“My experience with these amazing home care professionals is as close to perfect as it gets! I have a dear friend that is in hospice and needed a little extra home care. Ken, the owner, was fast to respond to my call and started home care right away. I can't say enough good things about my experience with Always Best Care Senior Services' staff and owner.”
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“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”
“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”
“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”
“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”
“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”
“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”
“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”
“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”
“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”
“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Drake Park in Bend, TX with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Blacksmith Restaurant or visit Drake Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Bend, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bend, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bend, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
TEXAS — Tesla is considering a potential $10 billion deal that could bring nearly 10,000 jobs and thousands of dollars in revenue to Fort Bend County. It involves the construction of what officials call the largest single solar cell manufacturing site in the country.In January, Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared plans for solar manufacturing.“The SpaceX and Tesla teams both separately are working to build to 100 gigawatts a year of solar power in the U.S., and of manufactured solar power,” Musk said.Months late...
TEXAS — Tesla is considering a potential $10 billion deal that could bring nearly 10,000 jobs and thousands of dollars in revenue to Fort Bend County. It involves the construction of what officials call the largest single solar cell manufacturing site in the country.
In January, Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared plans for solar manufacturing.
“The SpaceX and Tesla teams both separately are working to build to 100 gigawatts a year of solar power in the U.S., and of manufactured solar power,” Musk said.
Months later, the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved a tax abatement agreement for Tesla’s Project Crystal Sun.
The electric vehicle and clean energy company proposed building a $10 billion solar cell manufacturing plant on more than 3,000 acres of land near Richmond. Officials say the potential 30-year agreement would create more than 9,700 permanent jobs paying at least $55 an hour.
The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District approved tax incentives for Tesla in September. Supporters say the plant would provide job opportunities for local students and residents. However, there’s no guarantee Tesla will build the plant at the proposed location at FM 1994 and FM 762 near Needville in Fort Bend County. The company says the county is competing with another location outside of Texas.
Spectrum News looked at documents to see how the agreement would work if Fort Bend lands the deal. They show the county agrees to waive property taxes for machinery and equipment and eliminate inventory-related taxes for 10 years. We also learned the Lamar CISD approved tax incentives through the fairly new Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation Act (JETI), which requires Tesla to pay full debt service taxes on voter-approved bonds and pay half of the taxes used to fund day-to-day operations.
Neighbors like Daniel Saffron say not everything is written in fine print.
“It’s gonna leave local taxpayers to hold the financial bag on day one,” Saffron said. “There’s no promises to protect the environment that it’s being built on. There are no promises to rebuild any of the infrastructure around it. They say they have this water recycling system, but there’s no specifics behind it.”
Carlos Guzman, the county’s economic opportunity and development agency director, says that the infrastructure, workforce and proximity to Houston are what sparked Tesla’s interest in Fort Bend.
“If it were to locate here in Fort Bend County, we fully expect to have other companies start looking to set up shop as close as possible,” Guzman said, adding that once Gov. Greg Abbott signs off, Tesla will make its decision. “We’re very excited. I hope we get selected because I know it would change the trajectory of this county.”
In the meantime, opponents of the tax incentive program hope industrial expansion won’t strip away the soul of Fort Bend County.
“Anytime there’s a new bill, there’s paperwork, there’s loopholes that people find,” said Saffron, referring to JETI.
If Fort Bend is selected, construction could start this year.
RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) -- Fort Bend County voters heading to the polls Tuesday hope a technical glitch that hit every voting site during the May primary runoff won't repeat itself.During that runoff, Fort Bend County Elections Administrator Chase Wilson said each site was affected by a human error. An elections employee uploaded the wrong file, and records obtained by ABC13 showed it took three hours to fix the problem. As a result, some voters had to cast provisional ballots.The elections administrator held a news conference h...
RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) -- Fort Bend County voters heading to the polls Tuesday hope a technical glitch that hit every voting site during the May primary runoff won't repeat itself.
During that runoff, Fort Bend County Elections Administrator Chase Wilson said each site was affected by a human error. An elections employee uploaded the wrong file, and records obtained by ABC13 showed it took three hours to fix the problem. As a result, some voters had to cast provisional ballots.
The elections administrator held a news conference hours after the issues began in May but has not done an interview with ABC13 since. He did not respond to questions Monday.
"Please get it right. Let's get it right this year so we can all get our votes in, and everyone will count," Twila Lewis, who planned to vote Tuesday, said.
"I would hope they have corrected the problem. I can't imagine how frustrating that would be. I'm assuming there's going to be a line tomorrow. So, I can't even imagine," Ese Ogbebor, who also planned to vote Tuesday, said.
This summer, the elections administrator told ABC13 via email that the county added additional oversight and implemented vendor safeguards, saying they would be in place by August and tested before the November election.
As for the employee who caused the problem, the elections administrator said the county took action through a combination of workflow reassignment and restructuring.
Lewis said she wanted to hear that changes had been made.
"It's a lot of corruption going on with the voting ballots and all that. So, I feel like they should have it updated," Lewis said.
The elections administrator also told ABC13 this summer that he hopes Tuesday may be the last election using the current system. He said he hopes to have a new voter registration system running by May to avoid similar problems. The administrator said it is nothing voters will notice.
Fort Bend County Commissioners approved an economic incentive package on Thursday for a proposed Tesla solar power manufacturing facility anchored in the southeastern portion of the county. If Fort Bend is picked by the trillion-dollar-valued company headed by Elon Musk, the project could bring substantial job and wage creation for the county.All four county commissioners approved the four-part Tesla agreement Oct. 22. Interim County Judge Daniel Wong abstained because his engineering firm has business ties with Tesla."I a...
Fort Bend County Commissioners approved an economic incentive package on Thursday for a proposed Tesla solar power manufacturing facility anchored in the southeastern portion of the county. If Fort Bend is picked by the trillion-dollar-valued company headed by Elon Musk, the project could bring substantial job and wage creation for the county.
All four county commissioners approved the four-part Tesla agreement Oct. 22. Interim County Judge Daniel Wong abstained because his engineering firm has business ties with Tesla.
"I am thrilled that the package we put together will not result in a property tax loss for our general fund and will also result in millions of dollars of additional revenue for our local school districts," Commissioner Dexter McCoy said in a statement. "This is a win for our residents and community partners."
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Tesla officials are eyeing over 1,000 acres of property in the Houston-area suburb. The new facility would be located in the southeastern part of the county and called Project Crystal Sun.
If Tesla moves forward with the project in Fort Bend County, it could receive a 100% property tax abatement on the facility itself, followed by property tax rebate grants covering 90% to 100% of eligible taxes. The incentives could span a total of 30 to 35 years, according to county documents. Tesla is still responsible for paying property taxes on the underlying land throughout the 10-year tax break period, according to the agreement.
Tesla also guarantees the county at least $2 million a year to help pay for public services and administrative costs.
In exchange for the tax break from the county, Tesla must meet several conditions, including substantial job creation, wage and headcount commitments. At minimum, the company must hire 8,700-plus employees by the time the site is fully operational. Project application documents from the company suggest a construction start date in 2026 and completion date in 2028.
But the hiring thresholds are tiered over the first four years according to the agreement, ranging from hiring 2,500 employees during the first year of commercial operations to hiring 7,500 employees in the third year. If Tesla hires at least 12,000 employees for two consecutive years, its tax benefits get extended.
Wage thresholds were also part of the tax break agreement. Workers would be required to make a minimum $100,000 salary. Strict criteria of what an employee means are outlined in the agreement —they must be permanent, full-time employees and may be directly employed by Tesla or a contracted provider. Interns, independent contractors and workers engaged in construction or pre-operational work are excluded.
Tesla representatives told the commissioners court in early October that the company is still deciding between Fort Bend County or another undisclosed location. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott must give final approval before the facility could open in 2029.
Those who signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the court meeting on Thursday all spoke in favor of the project, including Jeremy Heath, a director of business development with the Fort Bend Regional Partnership that serves as the county's chamber of commerce.
Heath said attracting commercial properties to the area would benefit taxpayers.
"The average taxable value of an individual residential property simply does not cover the cost to service the property," Heath said. "The only responsible way to shift some of that tax burden away from residential property owners is to attract commercial properties which carry higher valuation for improvement and fixed assets and generate significantly higher tax bills per square foot."
The agreement with the county builds upon another approved tax break with the school district where the facility would be built, Lamar Consolidated ISD. In September, school board members approved cutting Tesla’s tax bill in half from 2029 through 2038.
Fort Bend County election officials say the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding of voting proceduresA voter’s unexpected experience during early voting prompted questions about potential delays at the polls.But Fort Bend County election officials say the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding of voting procedures, not an error in the voter’s registration.Kathryn Berardo, who says she has voted in Texas since 1985 and in Sugar Land since 1995, said she was surprised when poll workers told her the name on he...
A voter’s unexpected experience during early voting prompted questions about potential delays at the polls.
But Fort Bend County election officials say the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding of voting procedures, not an error in the voter’s registration.
Kathryn Berardo, who says she has voted in Texas since 1985 and in Sugar Land since 1995, said she was surprised when poll workers told her the name on her voter registration did not match her identification.
Berardo said her name has appeared consistently on her Texas driver’s license, passport and other documents for decades. She also said she observed several other voters being asked to address name discrepancies during her visit.
“I want to make sure that everybody can vote, vote fairly, vote easily,” Berardo said.
Concerned that similar situations could slow down voting, particularly on Election Day, Berardo completed a blue form provided at the polling location.
Fort Bend County Elections Administrator Chase Wilson initially said the office was looking into why Berardo’s middle name did not appear in the poll book.
After consulting with its election system vendor, the county determined that the name in question was actually a former last name, not a middle name listed in her voter registration record. As a result, the poll book displayed the information recorded in the voter registration system.
Wilson said the issue was ultimately attributed to a poll worker misunderstanding the procedures for handling name discrepancies.
The county said it had contacted the polling location to clarify the process and had not received other reports of similar name discrepancies.
The blue form is called a Statement of Residence. According to the county, voters can use it to update their name or address in the voter registration system.
However, completing the form is not necessarily required just because a voter’s name differs from the name on their photo ID.
The Texas Secretary of State’s office says a voter registration record and photo ID do not have to match exactly. Differences can occur when someone uses a nickname, a married name or a maiden name.
When the names differ, voters may be asked to sign an affidavit confirming they are the person identified by both the registration record and the photo ID.
The Secretary of State’s office said this procedure has been standard practice since Texas’ photo ID requirements took effect more than a decade ago.
Fort Bend County officials recommend voters take a few steps before heading to the polls:
The county also said it has updated its website with an Election HUB and is sharing voter information through its social media accounts.
Berardo said she hopes sharing her experience will help other voters avoid confusion and feel prepared when they arrive at the polls.
For voters with questions about their registration, the county recommends checking official election resources before visiting a polling location.
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HOUSTON – Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Turner and two other defendants were arrested Thursday on federal charges in a case alleging they used county payroll funds to pay employees for work they did not perform, including caring for Turner’s mother, according to federal prosecutors.U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz announced the arrests during a Thursday news conference with FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson, Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Eric Burse and Assistant U.S. Attorn...
HOUSTON – Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Turner and two other defendants were arrested Thursday on federal charges in a case alleging they used county payroll funds to pay employees for work they did not perform, including caring for Turner’s mother, according to federal prosecutors.
U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz announced the arrests during a Thursday news conference with FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson, Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Eric Burse and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Furko.
Turner, 65, and the other defendants, Shemerrylyn Regina Fields, 47, and Victor Calvin Ewing, 69, face charges including conspiracy, theft involving government funds and wire fraud, according to a federal indictment filed in the Southern District of Texas.
Prosecutors allege the scheme ran from September 2023 through September 2025 and involved county employees who collected paychecks while allegedly failing to perform their assigned duties.
Reitz said investigators estimate the alleged misuse of funds could total tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. He said the exact amount has not been determined and will be addressed as the case proceeds.
“Carmen Turner has been strutting around Fort Bend County with the title The Honorable for years. Nothing could be more dis-honorable—or illegal—than her and her conspirators’ public corruption,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz. “The people of the Southern District of Texas have my commitment to do everything we can to do justice and make it right. Taxpayers deserve so much better.”
According to the indictment, Turner hired Fields as a deputy tax clerk in March 2024. Prosecutors allege Fields instead worked as a full-time caregiver for Turner’s mother at her Houston apartment while being paid through the county payroll system.
Reitz confirmed during the news conference that Fields did provide care for Turner’s mother. However, prosecutors allege Fields was hired and paid as a tax office employee and was instructed not to perform those county duties.
The indictment also alleges Turner hired Ewing, the father of her adult son, as a department coordinator in October 2023, despite Ewing already working full time for an airline company at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Prosecutors allege Ewing collected Fort Bend County paychecks while working in Chicago and transferred portions of his county pay to Turner. The indictment cites an alleged $800 Cash App payment from Ewing to Turner in February 2024.
Reitz said the amounts allegedly transferred varied, and prosecutors did not identify a single agreed-upon amount for the alleged kickback arrangement.
The indictment also alleges Fields and Ewing were instructed to clock in and out remotely and report work hours they had not performed for the tax office.
Reitz said the investigation developed over several years through tips, information from people with internal knowledge and investigative work.
The FBI worked with the Texas Rangers and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the investigation, Hudson said.
Hudson described public corruption investigations as complex cases that can take time to develop. He encouraged anyone with information about suspected public corruption to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov .
During the news conference, Reitz also referenced Turner’s previous indictment and conviction more than a decade ago, saying those matters were unrelated to the current case.
Reitz declined to provide a specific timeline for when the current investigation began.
Turner and Fields were arrested in the Houston area, while Ewing was arrested in Chicago, according to Reitz. He said Turner and Fields were scheduled to make their initial appearances before a federal magistrate judge Thursday afternoon.
Reitz said prosecutors are prepared to take the case to trial. He also said investigators would not speculate about whether additional people could face charges, although the investigation could continue as the case proceeds.
The indictment includes nine counts against the defendants, with charges varying by person. Prosecutors allege conspiracy, theft involving a government program receiving federal funds and wire fraud.
Turner has been released on bond.
KPRC 2 will update this story with additional details from the U.S. attorney’s announcement.
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