HTX-TOM: Impact 9/4/2025

Tomball City Council approved the Tomball Economic Development Corporation’s $19.1 million fiscal year 2025-26 budget during its Sept. 2 meeting. 

The details: The TEDC FY 2025-26 budget consists of $7.3 million in revenues and $19.1 million in expenditures, according to the TEDC’s budget documents.

The $19.1 million in expenditures will dip into the fund balance, which will end at $14.4 million in FY 2025-26, according to budget documents.

A closer look: The budget will fund an additional $500,000 toward the Southside Sewer Treatment Plant’s debt service and sets aside $2.3 million for acquiring land to support future development opportunities, per the agenda item.

According to a presentation, other projects in the budget include: 

• South Live Oak: $500,000
• Summer Youth Employment Program: $250,000
• Tomball Legacy Square: $3 million for final design, maintenance and repairs

Altered States Wellness, an experiential wellness studio, opened for service in Vintage Park on Aug. 25, business officials confirmed.

What they offer: Owner Justin Kennington said the wellness studio is meant to help combat stress, anxiety and burnout through science-backed therapies. The business offers services such as float therapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna, cold plunge and compression boots. Officials said Altered States Wellness was created to make holistic wellness more accessible and approachable for today’s overworked and high-performing individuals.

What's next: A grand opening party for Altered States Wellness will be held Sept. 6, where guests will get free mini sessions of some services, guided tours of the float suites and a free gift for the first 50 visitors, according to an Aug. 19 news release.

• 118 Vintage Park Blvd., Ste. C, Houston

The Montgomery County Choral Society announced its concerts for its 2025-26 season, called “A Season of Story and Spirit, in an Aug. 29 news release.

The details: Attendees can expect the following shows from the Montgomery County Choral Society during its 2025-26 season, according to the release:

• “Mysteries in Harmony” on Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. The show will be located at First Methodist Church Conroe, 4308 W. Davis St., Conroe.
• “The Many Moods of Christmas” on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. The performance will be at First Methodist Church Conroe, 4308 W. Davis St., Conroe.
• “Awakenings” on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., location TBD
• “Greatest Hits” on May 16 at 4 p.m., location TBD

After serving more than a year as Harris County Public Health’s interim director, Leah Barton was officially appointed to lead the county’s public health department.

Quote of note: “Over the past year, I’ve had the great privilege of leading Harris County Public Health,” Barton said in a Sept. 2 news release. “During that time, we have opened new health hubs, expanded mobile care, strengthened support for families, and responded to public health challenges across our community. These efforts reflect our shared commitment to making health services more accessible, connected, and responsive to the needs of the people we serve.”

Zooming out: Barton was first tapped to serve in the interim role in 2024 after former HCPH Executive Director Barbie Robinson was removed from her position last August.