Chesmar Homes and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, or GBRA, have submitted a wastewater permit requesting the authorization to dispose of 460,000 gallons of treated wastewater. The proposed wastewater treatment facility would serve a 117-acre development called Purlsong.

Some details: During an Oct. 2 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ, public meeting, Comal County residents spoke out against the submitted permit.

Purlsong is a mixed-use development that will consist of 148 single-family residences and six multifamily condominium lots for 58 total condos, according to Comal County Commissioners’ agenda documents. The final plat and two variances were approved by commissioners Sept. 25.

Variances are when a developer wants to stray away from county subdivision regulations. The county commissioners court must approve all variance requests, Comal County Engineer Robert Boyd told Community Impact.

The Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation, or CCSCF, is aiming to tackle new funding challenges and senior loneliness one year after its new executive director took over.

Two-minute impact: Executive Director Chris Smith took the reins of the foundation in August 2024, after a storied career in education. Smith’s priorities when taking the position were to support the New Braunfels senior population further and continue to provide resources to the age group, previously reported by Community Impact.

Since taking over, new challenges have come up, including a loss of funding, even before the monthlong government shutdown. The tightening of the foundation’s belt led CCSCF to shrink its footprint, one affected program being Meals on Wheels. Where the foundation once served mobile meals to other cities outside of Comal County, the focus has now been narrowed to strengthening support for seniors in New Braunfels, Smith said.

On the heels of what proponents have called “historic” property tax relief, some Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the state can afford to continue increasing the tax exemptions passed in 2023 and 2025.

The big picture: Texas homeowners pay property taxes to various local entities, although lawmakers can limit how much entities increase taxes each year and provide state funding to expand tax exemptions.

Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 alone and may be required to spend more to maintain existing tax exemptions in future bienniums, lawmakers said.

What they're saying: "We're kind of maxed out at what we can do for property tax reform, from a budget perspective," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Nov. 20 event.

"$51 billion ongoing, it's a huge amount to continue to support. To think about doing anything more seems very fiscally irresponsible," Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

The other side: Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, said creating limits on local government spending would be critical to keeping Texas affordable.