HTX-BAY: Impact 8/25/2025

A number of cities and counties could soon begin pitching in a total of $3 million for the second phase of a study related to large flood projects slated for the region.

The gist: The Lower Clear Creek and Dickinson Bayou Water Study completed its first phase in 2022. That was related to shoring up rainfall data and creating a list of possible projects to be carried out along the watersheds, said Galveston County Commissioner Hank Dugie, who is among the leaders of the study.

Those in favor: A total of 23 cities and counties have passed resolutions supporting the study. 

The cost: The total cost of the second phase of the study is expected to be $3 million, which Dugie said he expects to come from any number of the two dozen counties and cities that have voiced support for it.

Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees will consider the district’s budget for fiscal year 2025-26 at its Aug. 25 meeting.

What you need to know: As of Aug. 11, the district is projecting $429.3 million in expenses and $414.7 million in revenue, along with $2.1 million in other sources, landing the projected shortfall at $12.5 million, according to district budget documents.

Also of note: At the projected tax rate of $0.9690 per $100 valuation, a home with an average market value of $406,500 would owe about $2,140 in taxes, according to district documents.

This is about a $350 decrease from last year’s $2,490 tax bill. However, that figure doesn’t account for changes in home values, as last year’s taxes were based on an average market value of about $397,000, according to district documents.

Next steps: The board will meet to consider the budget at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at the district’s Education Support Center, located at 2425 E. Main St., League City.

The board will consider the tax rate at its Sept. 22 meeting.

Lone Star College System is moving forward with plans to offer a new bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with help from a $200,000 grant from Houston Endowment, according to an Aug. 13 news release. 

The details: The grant will help fund consulting services and curriculum development for the degree program, as stated in the release.
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching will serve early childhood-grade 3 and early childhood-grade 6. The degree is expected to launch in fall 2026 with an initial cohort of 150 students, pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, per the release. 

Diving in deeper: The bachelor’s degree would become the fifth bachelor’s program in the college system’s offerings, which includes cybersecurity, emergency management, energy and trades management and nursing, according to the release.

The Texas Transportation Commission officially approved the 2026 Unified Transportation Program on Aug. 21, outlining an additional $2.2 billion in state transportation funds for the Greater Houston area.

The big picture: The UTP is a 10-year project plan crafted and funded by the Texas Department of Transportation, and reviewed and updated on an annual basis according to feedback from communities and metropolitan planning organizations. The 2026 UTP allocated an additional $2.2 billion for projects in the Houston region through 2035.

Quote of note: "This more than $146 billion investment in our roadways will help Texas meet the critical needs of our growing state as more people and businesses move here for the freedom and opportunity they can’t find anywhere else," Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news release. "We must strengthen our roadways and improve congestion and safety to keep our economy booming and keep Texans moving. By investing billions of dollars in our transportation network today, we will build the future of Texas for generations to come."

The Greater Houston area housing market is entering a “more balanced and sustainable” period as of July according to a report from the Houston Association of Realtors.

The details: Despite a slight decrease in regional housing affordability in the second quarter of 2025, the Greater Houston area housing area market saw a significant increase in year over year home sales according to the July housing inventory report from HAR. The number of active single-family home listings jumped from 46,629 in July 2024 to 61,144 in July 2025, a 31.1% increase in homes on the market.

In their words: “The rising inventory levels have led to modest price adjustments by sellers,” HAR Chair Shae Cottar said. “While some homeowners are adjusting their expectations, many homes are still attracting solid offers. This is a good indicator that the Houston market continues to be in a relatively healthy and balanced spot.”