Northside ISD approves FY 2025-26 school year budget
During its Aug. 26 meeting, Northside ISD approved its general fund, school nutrition fund and debt service fund budgets for the 2025-26 school year.
The overview: During the meeting, the NISD board of trustees heard a series of presentations detailing the tax rates and budget for the 2025-26 school year. The roughly $278 million general fund is based on an average daily attendance of 91,500, and includes a general pay increase for all employees.
Despite pay increases, the district’s expenditures have decreased. Revenues have also increased by $62 million.
What else? The budget will maintain the current total tax rate of $1.0049 per $100 valuation, including maintaining the general operations tax rate of $0.6694 per $100 valuation and the interest and sinking tax rate of $0.3355 per $100 valuation.
Texas General Land Office acquires Menger Hotel, Crockett Hotel
On Aug. 26, the Texas General Land Office, in partnership with Rockbridge and the Alamo Trust Inc., announced that it acquired the Menger Hotel and The Crockett Hotel.
The overview: According to a news release, the purchase will strengthen the visitor experience at The Alamo and is in line with the Alamo Plan. The plan includes building the Alamo District, which includes a new museum, new exhibits and buildings that will reshape visitors’ perception of The Alamo.
The two properties have not been available for purchase in decades and sit adjacent to the Alamo grounds. Both hotels stand on land that once formed part of the agricultural fields of Mission San Antonio de Valero, the 18th-century Spanish mission that would later become known as The Alamo, according to a news release.
Since 1859, the Menger Hotel has been The Alamo's next-door neighbor. The hotel has welcomed a long line of U.S. presidents, national leaders and cultural icons. The hotel bar is also the site where future president Theodore Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders.
4 nonprofit and business updates across North San Antonio so far this August
Read about the latest updates from businesses and nonprofits in and around North San Antonio this August.
Wounded Warriors Project The nonprofit recently signed a lease to move into an 18,500-square-foot office space at the University Heights Tech Center, according to a news release. Wounded Warriors Project supports veterans and families of those who served after 9/11. The nonprofit also provides financial assistance and interactive programs to aid in the transition to civilian life.
Opening TBD
5710 W. Hausman Road, San Antonio
Texicare The statewide health insurance company is expanding will offer small business owners three separate plans that offer primary care, specialist visits, urgent care, physical therapy and mental health practitioners, according to the company's website. Some plans also include zero deductibles, reduced co-pays and straightforward policies.
Communities in Texas’ Flash Flood Alley may soon have to install flood warning sirens
Some communities in Flash Flood Alley, which stretches through Central Texas and includes the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins, would be required to install flood warning sirens under a bill advanced by state House lawmakers Aug. 26.
The details: Under Senate Bill 3:
The Texas Water Development Board would identify areas impacted by the deadly July 4-5 floods that have “a history of consistent or severe flooding.”
Local governments in the identified areas would be required to install flood warning sirens if they are not already present.
The state would distribute up to $50,000 in grants to help cities and counties install warning systems.
Lawmakers have said they were concerned that some Hill Country residents and visitors missed or did not receive emergency alerts related to the July 4 floods, which began before sunrise.
Next steps: House lawmakers passed SB 3 unanimously Aug. 26, returning it to the Senate with a minor amendment. If senators sign off on the amendment, the warning siren bill will head to the governor’s desk.
