During a June 15 meeting, the San Marcos CISD board of trustees approved the district’s 2026-27 budget with a planned shortfall in both the general fund and food service.

The approved budget estimates approximately $92.89 million in general fund revenues and $95.18 million in expenditures, resulting in a planned shortfall of about $2.29 million, according to agenda documents.

The overview: The budget includes a previously approved staff compensation plan that provides a staff-wide salary increase and decreases the district’s monthly insurance contributions.

The food service fund will operate with an estimated $6.57 million in revenues and $6.85 million in expenditures, resulting in a planned deficit of approximately $275,000.

The district’s debt service budget is expected to result in a $1.3 million surplus, with $30.23 million in expected revenues and $28.93 million in expenditures. Funds from the debt service budget may only be used for those purposes and can not be put toward general operations.

Looking forward: The board will vote on the district’s proposed tax rate at a future meeting.

An Austin-based jewelry and accessory business has opened its doors in San Marcos at the Tanger Outlet mall.

What happened: Kylo Artistry opened its first brick-and-mortar location in the outlets following growth generated through pop-up events and online sales, according to a Tanger Outlets news release.

The business now operates from a 1,200-square-foot store located next to Wayfair and Perfumes 4 U.

“Kylo Artistry's opening marks an exciting milestone for a business that was created within our community,” Jarrett Medders, Tanger San Marcos marketing director, said in the news release.

What they sell: The locally owned business offers permanent jewelry and accessories, including custom-fitted bracelets, necklaces and anklets. The boutique designer creates personalized pieces of jewelry starting at $45.

• 4015 S. I-35, Ste. 730, San Marcos

A new bar called Neon Jackalope opened in The Gruene Grove on March 14.

The gist: Neon Jackalope is located at 1263 Gruene Road in New Braunfels. The bar serves classic cocktails with a twist, bar manager Juan Portales said.

• 1263 Gruene Road, New Braunfels

A Crunch Fitness in Austin, an AutoZone in Lago Vista and the Plaza Saltillo Station Double Track and Trail Project are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Plaza Saltillo Station Double Track and Trail Project ($40.6 million): This project involves a change from single track to double track, building platforms and canopies for passenger waiting areas, and associated utility relocations and right-of-way flatwork.

2. Emergency Animal Hospital of Buda ($1.7 million): A new emergency animal hospital is coming to Buda, with construction set to begin in August.

3. Snack Time C-Store & Gas Station Building ($1.6 million): This project involves the construction of a single-story gas station building with a proposed deli.

4. Crunch Fitness ($1.5 million): A new Crunch Fitness location is coming to Austin. 

5. AutoZone ($1.2 million): A 6,800-square-foot AutoZone is coming to Lago Vista, with construction set to begin in December.