Conroe will go back to the basics in 2010, with efforts to address water, transportation, education and growth needs for its residents and businesses as the future of the city begins to unfold. Here’s what's ahead in 2010:

· Montgomery County is facing a water crisis and about 200 large water providers will decide whether to join the San Jacinto River Authority in a comprehensive plan to meet a mandated 30 percent reduction in the use of groundwater by 2016 by getting water from Lake Conroe for The Woodlands and Conroe.

· Montgomery County Commissioners Court is expected to consider a $335 bond election that would repair or replace dozens of major roads in the county, including Walden Road, Calvary Road and a new road near the Lone Star Executive Airport.

· Lone Star College - Montgomery is building a new satellite campus in Conroe Park North. The campus will offers a full range of academic courses as well as Texas Workforce Commission programs in automotive technology, heating and cooling and welding and machining. The center will open in Jan. 2011.

· A new law takes effect in Conroe in March that bans smoking in public spaces like bars and restaurants, private businesses and city parks. Violators will face up to a $500 fine.

· The Conroe Industrial Development Commission is considering the purchase of a 187 acre site near Lone Star Executive Airport for a technology park to attract high-paying jobs to the community. The park could include through-the-fence development that allows business to own their land, but access the county-owned airport. The airport is also building a longer runway, which will allow it to better accommodate existing customers and attract even more.

· Conroe will add two new subdivisions on Lake Conroe to the city limits – Pebble Glen and Bella Vita – and plans to add Longmire on Lake Conroe within three years. Meanwhile new development continue to sprout up near the lake, including Shadow Lake and Waterpoint at Lake Conroe

· Conroe is taking steps to preserve the natural beauty of the FM 3083 corridor and may consider ordinances on signage, setbacks, buffer zones and tree preservation. The corridor also is being targeted for transportation improvement, including possible bus service and hike and bike trails.

· Conroe is developing a Texas Flag Park as part of the redesign of Texas 105 and Interstate 45. The park, adjacent to the Montgomery County Memorial Central Branch, will include a bronze statue of “The Texian,” the 13 flags of the Texas Revolution, a detention pond and pathways.

· Conroe may consider a curbside recycling program in the near future for paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin and plastic, with yard waste and glass added in down the line.

· Three council seats are up in the May election, which already has contenders lined up for two of the seats, even though candidate can’t file until February. Among those who have announced their candidacy are Guy Martin, brother of Councilman Jay Ross Martin, for position 4 and realtor Leo Hewett for position 5.