District C residents will have the opportunity to voice how they think $1 million should be spent in the district as council member Joe Panzarella’s office launches a new budget survey.

What is it: The “Direct Your Dollars” survey is part of the district’s planning for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. Each City Council district receives $1 million to spend on localized investments, including street and sidewalk improvements, park enhancements, public safety and resilience efforts.

District C residents can use the survey to identify the projects and priorities they would like to see funded. The results will be considered alongside project feasibility, costs and input from city departments as the district determines its final funding priorities.

The survey is open to residents through Sept. 7 who live, work or spend time in District C.

Also of note: Panzarella’s office is also planning a “100 Days Town Hall” on Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Metropolitan (West Gray) Multi-Service Center.

After previous expansions in the city of Houston were filed earlier this year, The Airway Dentists is making its way to Bellaire in December, per a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.

The setup: Construction of the dentistry’s $380,000 location is slated to begin on Sept. 15 with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31. The location will sit along Bellaire Boulevard and measure 2,670 square feet in total, according to the filing.

What they offer: The Airway Dentists specialize in a combination of orthodontics and airway obstruction treatment.

Their approach is shaped by examining how the structure of a person’s teeth, jaws, and tongue, as well as the strength of their oral muscles, can affect the quality of their breathing and sleep, per its website.

• 3837 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. 13A, Houston

West University Place will temporarily close its recreation center for a week, according to Parks and Recreation officials.

From Aug. 29 through Sept. 7, the facility will undergo its annual maintenance week and is set to reopen Sept. 8.

More details: During the closure, staff will be available at Colonial Park Pool from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to assist customers with daily business.

Meanwhile, the basketball courts are open at Whitt Johnson Park after a temporary closure for resurfacing.

For more information about the Recreation Center closure, call 713-662-7420. Questions about Parks Maintenance can be directed to 713-662-7432.

Harris Health, the county’s public healthcare provider, proposed a tax rate increase for the upcoming fiscal year to the Commissioners Court Aug. 17.

The background: Victoria Nikitin, Harris Health’s chief financial officer, asked the court to consider a $0.1 increase to last year’s revenue rate. Harris Health also proposed receiving $10 million from the county, which would be broken into $6 million in “waived revenue” and a $4 million placeholder in operating expenses to support county services.

“This budget is a really tight one for us in the sense that we are still having a lot of processes that are in flight, related to technology and other strategic initiatives...but the majority of that is really due to inflation,” Nikitin said.

Stay tuned: If approved, the rate would go into effect Oct. 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out these trending stories across the southern portion of the Greater Houston area from Aug. 17-21.

1. The Peach Cobbler Factory coming to Sugar Land
2. New homelessness program uses nearby hotels to help with temporary housing
3. See how Alvin, Friendswood, Pearland ISDs did in 2025-26 accountability ratings
4. Houston native opens 10th location of family-owned flooring company
5. Thousands of Katy area families apply for new education accounts
6. New Christmas decor shop opens in League City

This November, Libertarian Ted Brown, Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico are running to be Texas' next U.S. senator.

The overview: Each state has two U.S. senators serving staggered terms, with Ted Cruz and John Cornyn currently representing Texas. Cornyn ran for reelection but lost his primary race, and the winner of the November election will replace him in January.

Paxton advanced to the general election after beating Cornyn in a primary runoff, while Talarico beat two other contenders in the Democratic primary, Community Impact reported. Brown was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

At the polls: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30 for dozens of statewide and local races. Election Day is Nov. 3.