SATX-NEM: Impact 11/10/2025

Cibolo City Council will soon decide whether or not to raise utility rates in the city to prepare for future projects.

On Oct. 27, council received a recommendation by Willdan Financial Services to implement a three-year rate plan that would increase the average customer’s monthly bill by $18.20 by Oct. 2027.

The cost: Willdan’s recommendation is to increase rates in three stages, the first occurring in January 2026 with an average customer increase of $3.31 in wastewater rate. For the study, an average customer is one who uses 7,500 gallons of water and 5,000 gallons of wastewater per month.

Subsequent water and wastewater rates would increase again in October 2026 and October 2027, increasing the average customer bill by $8.88 and $6.01, respectively.

The current average monthly bill is $106.98, according to a presentation by Willdan Vice President Dan Jackson. According to agenda documents, a 2% wastewater rate increase was implemented in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget process, but staff held off on additional increases until the Willdan study concluded.

Construction is underway on a new multifamily development named The Grand at Oak Grove Apartments, located at 2280 Pat Booker Road in Universal City.

Project overview: Universal City’s City Council approved final plans for the complex in August 2023, according to previous reporting by Community Impact. The project is being developed by IRC Universal 12 LTD and will consist of 192 units across five buildings. There will also be a clubhouse, pool, courtyard and dog park, Michael Cassata, Universal City’s development services and economic development corporation director, said in an email to Community Impact.

“The city is excited to provide another modern, market-rate housing option to meet the needs of our existing and growing community,” Cassata said in the email.

Construction on The Grand at Oak Grove Apartments began in May. The complex will offer one- to three-bedroom units with one to two bathrooms, the email states.

The new location of Smoothie King pegged for the Schertz Station development has a new opening timeframe.

The update: In an email to Community Impact, Brett LeVecchio, vice president of corporate communications at Smoothie King, said the Schertz Station location will be open in late December. Community Impact previously reported that Smoothie King would be open in mid-November or early December.

More details: The Schertz Smoothie King location is locally-owned by mother-son duo Delia Gaona and Isaiah Miguel Gaona. Smoothie King sells fruit smoothies and food items like loaded toast.

The first restaurant at Schertz Station—Panera Bread—opened on Oct. 20. Other restaurants set to join the development at I-35 N. and Cibolo Valley Drive include Chipotle and Portillo's.

• 18476 I-35 N., Ste. 300, Schertz

Due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers amid the government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, has announced an overall 10% reduction in air traffic at 40 "high-impact" airports across the country. San Antonio International Airport, or SAT, is not among those listed, transportation officials announced Nov. 6.

Current situation: During a Nov. 5 press conference, Sean Duffy, U.S. secretary of transportation, and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the flight reduction. Duffy said the decision to reduce air traffic was made to ensure a safe environment for air travel.

Of the 40 airports impacted, four Texas airports—two in Houston and two in Dallas—will undergo a 10% reduction by Nov. 14.

The conditions: In a statement, SAT Media Manager Tonya Hope said San Antonio is not directly affected by the reductions, but reductions at other airports may still impact travelers.

The unofficial results of the Nov. 4 election are now in across the San Antonio area, headlining Community Impact coverage of the metro the week of Nov. 3-7. Last week's top stories include: 

• Ralph Rodriguez and Kara Latimer become the new mayors of Schertz and Cibolo, respectively. 
• Boerne ISD tax rate election approved, SCUCISD proposition fails.
• Dave's Hot Chicken will be opening a new Schertz location.
• Events across the metro celebrate Veterans Day weekend.