The $4.3 billion budget the Fort Worth City Council approved Sept. 15 went into effect on Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year.

The overview: Part of the budget includes several rate and fee increases for water, wastewater, trash and environmental fees that combine for an overall 6.6% increase.

In addition, a new pavement management fee aimed at fixing roads will start in 2028.

Water and wastewater rate increases impact both the volume and fixed monthly service charges for all classes, with the average bill increasing by $1.32 per month.

The water and wastewater increase will go into effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Zooming in: Starting Oct. 1, solid waste fees increased for residential garbage cart sizes, which include 32-gallon, 64-gallon and 96-gallon sizes. The 32-gallon price will increase by $2.75 per month, 64-gallon users will see a $3.90 hike and 96-gallon users will have a $5.15 difference compared to last year.

This article is based on a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations filing. Community Impact will update this story when more information is available.

A new 151 Coffee will open in Tanger Fort Worth, according to the company website.

The overview: Construction on the drive-thru coffee shop is expected to begin at the beginning of November and conclude by the end of March 2027, according to the TDLR filing.

151 Coffee items include iced and hot coffees, iced or frozen energy drinks, dirty sodas, refreshers, teas and smoothies. There is also a children’s menu with hot chocolate, milk, apple juice and hot cider.

• 15881 N. Freeway, Fort Worth

Voters in North Texas, including Denton County voters, will choose between two candidates for the State Board of Education, District 14 seat, which will be on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election.

What you need to know: The candidates running for the position are Republican Mindy Bumgarner and Democrat Amy Taylor. The District 14 seat is currently held by Republican Evelyn Brooks, who is not running for reelection this year.

Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

What else? Oct. 5 is the last day for residents to register to vote, according to the Texas Secretary of State website. Early voting will take place from Oct. 19-30.

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a law changing the amount of time students are required to spend in public schools from 180 days to 75,600 minutes per school year.

More than a decade later, some state senators are considering again mandating the number of days schools are open, citing concerns about student performance in districts that use condensed weekly schedules.

The details: At least 181 districts and 572 campuses used four-day school weeks in the 2024-25 school year, per Texas Education Agency data.

A TEA study found that during the 2022-23 school year, students attending school four days per week had lower performance in certain subjects on the annual State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness than students at five-day schools.

"There is not a benefit that I see for a four-day school week for the child," Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, said. "We know there's learning loss. What is the advantage of a four-day [week]? Because I see none except to please somebody who wants to be off more days."