What you need to know: On Sept. 9, Shenandoah City Council members reviewed a presentation on home rule city charters. Cities with more than 5,000 residents are eligible for this process. Shenandoah is currently a general law city with approximately 4,000 people. Home rule would provide broad authority to govern local affairs, subject to the Texas Constitution and state law. Advantages include greater autonomy and more flexibility, while disadvantages include legal challenges and greater risk of state preemption.

How it works: The process to become a home rule city requires six steps that can take approximately 6-12 months:

• Eligibility

• Calling the charter commission election

• Appointment or election of the charter commission and commission membership

• Drafting the charter

• Charter election

• Adoption

Before you go: New developments, including a project on Wellman Road and the Residences at Metropark apartment complex, could bring additional population growth to Shenandoah, making it eligible for home rule if it exceeds 5,000 residents.

Montgomery County commissioners met on Sept. 3 to review the 2025 road bond financial report and move several project awards forward.

What happened: The county reported $188 million in bond proceeds and $4.23 million in interest income as of Aug. 31, bringing total revenue to $192.23 million. Additional financial details include:

• Commissioners have allocated $166.7 million toward road projects, leaving $25.5 million for future allocations.

• The county has $67.6 million in cash remaining in its road bond account.

• There is $36 million in encumbered funds and close to $125 million spent so far.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to award a $4.4 million bid to Top Star Construction, LLC for the Precinct 1 Farrell Road Widening project. They also awarded a $3.9 million bid to Larry Young Paving, Inc. for the Old Plantersville Road project.

Incumbent John McStravick and Candidate Joseph Ferguson are the two candidates up for election for Tomball ISD position three on Nov. 3.

What you need to know: Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30, according to the Texas Secretary of State's website. Election Day is Nov. 3, and polls are open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Registered voters can cast their ballot at any polling location during early voting and on Election Day.

This November, four candidates are running to lead the Texas Comptroller's Office and serve as the state's chief financial officer.

The overview: Libertarian V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza, Democrat Sarah Eckhardt, Green Party candidate Shehla Faizi and Republican Don Huffines are running for comptroller. Huffines, whom Gov. Greg Abbott appointed to the office in July, is considered the incumbent in this race.

How it works: The comptroller oversees government spending and administers the state's $1 billion education savings account program, which launched ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30 in the midterm election, and Election Day is Nov. 3.