HTX-TOM: Impact 11/6/2025

The city of Tomball has appointed Sakura Moten as its new assistant city manager following a Nov. 3 City Council meeting.

The impact: Moten brings more than 20 years of experience in municipal administration, finance, technology and organizational development, according to a Nov. 5 news release. She previously served as director of administrative services and acting city manager for the city of Keller, as well as director of finance and information technology for the city of Kennedale.

A certified public manager and project management professional, Moten holds a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, per the release.

“We’re excited to welcome Sakura to Tomball,” City Manager David Esquivel said in the release. “Her experience in city operations, technology integration, and fiscal management will be a tremendous asset as we continue to serve our growing community.”

Adrian Quintanilla, AT&T South Texas vice president and general manager, said AT&T has plans to open a new retail store in Tomball this fall.

The details: Quintanilla said the new AT&T store will offer the latest devices, accessories, mobile and internet services. Per the website, AT&T offers nationwide 5G combined with multigig fiber home internet service.

• 25517 Hwy. 249, Tomball

Harris County commissioners unanimously approved an increase in the county’s fiscal year 2025-26 no-new-revenue property tax rate during the Nov. 4 court meeting. 

The gist: While commissioners adopted the $2.76 billion FY 2025-26 general fund budget and tax rates for the Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County Hospital District and the Port of Houston Authority on Sept. 24, the no-new-revenue rate was expected to be adopted near the end of October, according to Laura Lucas with the county administration office.

By the numbers: The four rates together make a combined property tax rate in the county of $0.6241 per $100 of valuation, an increase from the FY 2024-25 tax rate of $0.6038 per $100 of valuation.

The takeaway: The county’s tax rate document states the no-new-revenue tax rate will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year’s tax rate. The 0.55% increase will raise taxes on a $100,000 home by approximately $2.42, the document states.

Several claw machine arcades opened in the Houston area this year, per previous Community Impact reporting. Here are a few:

Claw City
Claw City officials confirmed the entertainment center opened a new location in late March. Claw City is a coin-operated claw machine arcade offering games and prizes, per its Facebook page.

• Opened March 30
• 19003 Windsor Pointe Drive, Ste. 300, Tomball

• Opened Jan. 25
• 19014-A Gulf Freeway, Friendswood

• Opened in September
• 7914 Fry Road, Ste. 260, Cypress