New Braunfels City Council unanimously approved an ordinance creating its fourth tax increment reinvestment zone, or TIRZ, for a 195.9-acre tract of land near the Zipp Family Sports Park on Nov. 10.

Some details: The Zipp Family Sports Park, located at Klein Road and FM 1044, is a $40 million, 150-acre multisport park project. Land acquisition for the sports park was approved by voters as part of Proposition 2 in the city's 2013 bond. In a 2019 bond, voters approved funding for the construction of Phase 1 of the project.

A TIRZ works to capture a portion of the new tax revenue occurring within the defined zone, making a Tax Increment Fund available to assist in financing projects identified in the Preliminary Project and Financing Plan. The Preliminary Project and Financing Plan calls for 85% of the city’s property tax to be directed into the Tax Increment Fund. 

Senior center Chapters Living, located at 2022 Hwy. 46 in New Braunfels, changed its name to Grand Brook Memory Care Oct. 18, according to a news release.

The context: The senior living center received a new name after undergoing a management change. Grand Brook Memory Care is now part of 13 Grand Brook Memory Care centers.

Grand Brook Memory Care offers assisted living and memory care services for seniors—specializing in Alzheimer's and dementia care, the release states. The senior living center offers 24-7 nurse care, medication management and meal planning.

Notable quote: Anisa Anderson, marketing director for Grand Brook Memory Care, said they understand that choosing memory care is one of the most important decisions a family can make.

"Our goal is to provide peace of mind by offering exceptional care in a loving environment that feels like family," Anderson said.

• 2022 Hwy. 46, New Braunfels

A dozen new Texas laws are scheduled to take effect Dec. 4. The new laws come 90 days after the end of a special legislative session that took place this summer.

The overview: Some of the bills becoming law Dec. 4 include:

• House Bill 8, which will replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, with three shorter exams beginning in fall 2027
• House Bill 18, which is designed to deter future legislators from leaving the Texas Capitol to prevent a legislative chamber from considering legislation, known as breaking quorum
• Senate Bill 54, which will roll back a short-lived rule that allowed registered Texas voters who moved within a county to update their address at the polls and immediately vote in their new precinct