Roman Forest City Council approves design firm for police department expansion project
Roman Forest City Council members approved a roughly $37,600 contract with J.A. Costanza & Associates to begin the design phase for the city’s upcoming police department expansion project.
The details: Council members approved the contract during their Aug. 25 meeting. Roman Forest City Engineer Greg Phipps said the roughly $350,000 addition to the station should be set to go out to bid by the end of October. Phipps noted council members are projected to vote on confirming a contractor for the project by the end of November.
A closer look: Once the project is complete, RFPD Captain Jeff Campbell said half of the existing police department will be converted into additional space for City Hall. Campbell noted the police department is set to gain roughly 2,000 additional square feet of space with the addition.
What’s next: While Carlisle said officials are aiming to begin construction by the end of 2025, he noted the department will have a better idea of a construction timeline once the design is completed and the project goes out to bid.
The Rusty Buckle BBQ Co. to add dinner service, expanded menu in New Caney
The Rusty Buckle BBQ Co. will soon offer dinner service and an expended menu, according to a presentation at the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber's Sept. 3 luncheon.
What's changing? Currently open for lunch service Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the barbecue joint will add dinner service on Thursdays and Fridays from 5:30-8 p.m. beginning Sept. 11. In addition to the eatery's current offerings, dinner service will feature an expanded menu with items including chicken fried steak and burgers, per the presentation.
Check it out: The Rusty Buckle BBQ Co. also offers catering services.
State Sen. Brandon Creighton officially named sole finalist for Texas Tech University System chancellor
State Sen. Brandon Creighton was officially named the sole finalist for the position of chancellor and CEO for the Texas Tech University System at a Sept. 4 board of regents meeting, according to a Sept. 4 news release.
Quote of note: “The Texas Tech University System has a proud history and limitless potential,” Creighton said via news release. “From research and innovation to nationally prominent academic programs, it represents the very best of Texas. I am honored to be named sole finalist for chancellor and look forward to building on this momentum and leading the TTU System into its next era of success.”
What else: During a Texas Senate session on Sept. 3, Senate Resolution 87, which congratulates Creighton on his appointment, was read. Leadership Montgomery County will also honor Creighton during the nonprofit’s Leadership Summit on Sept. 19 at the new Kevin Brady Library and Community Center.
Montgomery County approves budget, lowers property tax rate to $0.3770
The Montgomery County Commissioners Court adopted a balanced fiscal year 2025-26 budget and set a property tax rate of $0.3770 per $100 valuation during a special meeting Sept. 5.
As previously reported, the FY 2024-25 approved tax rate was $0.3790 per $100 of home valuation, making the FY 2025-26 tax rate a 0.53% decrease.
The details: The adopted balanced budget totals $508.1 million with allocations including law enforcement pay parity with the city of Houston and Harris County, additional staffing across departments, expanded IT and cybersecurity funding, jail inmate medical and food services and a contribution of nearly $5.4 million to the county’s capital improvement plan, Budget Officer Amanda Carter said.
A last-minute adjustment added $850,000 in expected revenue that had been excluded in earlier drafts. Commissioners debated whether to use the funds to further reduce the tax rate or bolster contingency reserves. Ultimately, the court opted for a compromise: most of the money was applied to lower the rate, with about $74,757 added to contingency, bringing that line item to $150,376, Carter said.
‘This will save lives’: New Texas laws require summer camps to remove cabins from floodplains
Two months after 25 campers and two counselors died in the historic July 4 flooding at Camp Mystic, Gov. Greg Abbott signed three new laws Sept. 5 that he said will “make youth camps safer” and ensure Texas communities are better prepared for future disasters. The flood victims' families attended the Sept. 5 bill signing ceremony in Austin.
The details: Under the two-pronged camp safety package, summer camps are required to remove existing cabins from floodplains by Jan. 1.
Camps must also develop and annually update comprehensive emergency plans, set up warning systems to notify campers if something is wrong and install ladders so campers can climb on cabin roofs during floods.
Looking ahead: Two other disaster preparedness bills, as well as legislation designed to regulate Texas’ multibillion-dollar THC industry, did not pass during the recent special legislative session, which ended around 1 a.m. Sept. 4.
When asked Sept. 5 if he planned to call a third legislative overtime to continue work on those policies, Abbott told reporters to "stay tuned."
