The construction of a new fire station is set to begin in Schertz.

On Oct. 21, Schertz City Council unanimously approved a guaranteed maximum price of $9.72 million for the construction of Fire Station No. 4 at 17355 Wiederstein Road.

The guaranteed maximum price agreed upon by Marksmen General Contractors represents all costs associated with facility construction, according to agenda documents.

The specifics: The 15,984-square-foot facility will have four double stack bays for vehicles and seven dorm rooms, according to a presentation by Project Management Consultant Ryan Rosborough.

Rosborough said the interior will have a living space, kitchen, fitness room, space for washing and drying clothes, and showers. There will be dedicated entrances for the public, staff and vehicles to minimize traffic issues, according to the presentation.

Cost breakdown: The final guaranteed maximum price proposal came in approximately $3.46 million less than first estimated in May 2024, according to the presentation.

Check out these business updates from across the Northeast San Antonio Metrocom this fall.

Honeybee Grooming
The new full-service pet grooming salon—owned by Hailey Carroll—caters to both cats and dogs of any breed or size.

• 8090 Pat Booker Road, Live Oak

• 18384 I-35 N., Ste. 113, Cibolo

• 201 Shin Oak Drive, Live Oak

• 203 S. Main St., Cibolo

• 13830 I-35, Live Oak

Book Nerd, a new independent bookstore, has opened in Castle Hills.

The details: Owned by Lauren and Sean Richmond, Book Nerd features a wide selection of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, romantasy, mystery, thrillers, literary fiction and young adult fiction.

What sets the bookstore apart from its counterparts is its genre-first layout, with a wide variety of fantasy, science fiction and romantasy books featured prominently in the front of the store.

Book Nerd also boasts a gathering space in the back of the store where local residents can gather to read and host events. Currently, the couple plans to use the space to host existing book clubs, but they intend to host indie author nights, which will feature multiple authors per event to inform readers about new authors.

• 2211 NW Military, Ste.118, San Antonio

As Bexar County voters head to the polls Nov. 4, they will decide whether to raise the hotel occupancy tax, or HOT, from 1.75% to 2%.
Funds raised from this increased tax, as well as the existing 5% tax on rental cars, will go toward the renovation of the Frost Bank Center, the transformation of the Freeman Coliseum into a permanent home for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and up to 25%, or $311 million, of the cost for a San Antonio Spurs arena downtown.

The details: Voters will decide on two propositions, with Proposition A funding the existing county venues and rodeo, while Proposition B funds a portion of the Spurs arena. Jim Lefko, director of communications for Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, said the tax is estimated to generate $503 million over a 30-year period. Lefko said the most important aspect of the vote is that funds raised through this tax can only be used on venues.

Texas is home to about 3.5 million small businesses, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Estimates show that the average Texas small-business owner could save about $2,500 per year if voters approve an expanded business tax exemption on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The details: State Proposition 9 would exempt up to $125,000 of a business’s personal property, such as equipment, furniture and vehicles, from taxation. Texas business owners currently receive a tax exemption on property worth $2,500 or less.

“At $2,500, virtually everyone's paying this tax,” NFIB Texas Director Jeff Burdett said in an Oct. 24 interview. “If you have a desk, a computer and a chair, you're probably over $2,500 [in inventory]. … It makes no difference for almost any business.”

At the polls: Early voting in the Nov. 4 election began Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.