Houstonians paying a $5 garbage fee may see a sales tax included in the fee.

What's new: At the Sept. 29 Budget & Fiscal Affairs meeting, council member Amy Peck said she noticed a sales tax included in the $5 fee.

“In all of the briefings and models presented to us, I don’t recall us ever talking about a sales tax as being part of it,” Peck said. “The models presented to us showed $24 million yearly going to the combined utility system.”

Peck added that with the 8.25% sales tax, the fee actually would put about $22.17 million in the CUS.

Some background: In June, Houston officials passed a $7.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27, which notably included approval of a new $5 administrative fee that officials said will help close the city’s budget gap and address issues with the Solid Waste Department.

After an extended soft opening, Otium officially made its presence known in the Upper Kirby area with a grand opening event Aug. 28, according to its social media.

Diving in deeper: The upscale cocktail lounge’s Latin mantra, ‘Otium cum Dignitate,’ translates to ‘Leisure with Dignity’ and is inspired by 56 B.C. philosophical writings of ancient Rome.

Otium's menu leans into classic Italian flavors through signature cocktails, imported spirits, premium wines and Diadema martini service offerings.

When the evening calls for food, Otium’s shareable options feature light Italian bites.

Keep in mind: All patrons must comply with Otium’s dress code of business casual, cocktail or elevated evening attire.

• 5020 Kirby Drive, Houston

Pride banners now hang on light poles along Lower Westheimer in Houston’s Montrose Cultural District. This follows state officials' requirement that the neighborhood's unofficial landmark rainbow crosswalk be painted over in 2025.

What happened: Officials with the city of Houston, Harris County and the state of Texas celebrated as Pride flag banners hung on light poles in Montrose, a historic LGBTQIA+ community, along Westheimer Road from Taft Street to Montrose Boulevard.

Some background: The rainbow crosswalk was installed in 2017 after a young man named Alex Hill was struck and killed by a car while crossing the street, according to the Montrose Center.

"[The crosswalk] was about safety and this was about visibility," Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin said. "The symbolism is not lost on any of us."

Two candidates are competing for the Place 7 at-large position on the board of trustees for the Harris County Department of Education in the upcoming Nov. 3 election. Democratic incumbent Silky Joshi-Malik will face Republican challenger Denise Dick in the race.

The details: Key details regarding the board and the election include:

• The board establishes policies governing the operation of the department and elects the county superintendent as its chief executive officer.

• The board consists of seven members, including three at-large positions that represent the entire county.

• Regular board meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. in Houston.

• Another at-large position, Place 5, is also up for election on Nov. 3, featuring Democratic incumbent Erica Davis and Republican challenger Sartaj Bal.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced a one-year extension for Harris County disaster recovery and mitigation projects totaling more than $1.1 billion.

The details: The federal grants, administered through the Texas General Land Office, were at risk of missing the February 2027 and March 2028 spending deadlines due to project delays.

The extension, which is the final one approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will apply to existing infrastructure and mitigation project contracts. If the county submits a documented need, the new timeline could allow the Harris County Flood Control District more time to spend:

• $322 million allocated for 11 disaster recovery projects

• $546 million allocated for 17 flood mitigation projects

Buckingham notified county leaders of the extension while expressing concerns about the county failing to meet contract expenditure benchmarks.

One more thing: If the county fails to meet the new benchmarks, the GLO would reallocate the unused balance to other projects.