Amid unbalanced growth across the district, Katy ISD officials may have to face rezoning decisions in the next decade, according to a new demographic study by Population and Survey Analysts.

Lower birth rates, competition from alternative education opportunities and changing migration patterns are offsetting the growth of 2,000 students annually brought by new housing, leading to fluctuating enrollment and localized strain on school facilities, demographer Susan Cates said.

After years of rapid growth, now projects a student population decline beginning this school year.

“The district is going to have to be looking at potentially rezoning in some areas, potentially building new facilities in other areas,” she said. “It's going to have to really balance that out to manage where those students are living."

In the classroom: Despite the overall decline in student population this year and projected flat enrollment for the next couple of years, the localized growth in the northwest quadrant presents a facility challenge, Cates said.

The study shows overcrowding in the northwest require potential rezoning efforts in the next decade.

A Taco Bell Live Más Café is now open near Katy.

What they offer: A Live Más Café has the full Taco Bell menu—including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, crunch wraps and more—while also serving coffee, chillers, refreshers, energy drinks and other seasonal creations, according to Taco Bell's website.

Zooming out: The location is one of 16 Live Más Cafés nationwide and one of seven in Texas, per the website.

• 1730 Fry Road, Houston

Giving Machines are returning to Houston this holiday season, allowing residents to donate to area nonprofits by purchasing items through the specialty vending machines, according to a news release.

Quote of note: “This Christmas season, the Giving Machines help the entire Houston community to share the light of Christ by following His example and giving to those in need,” Elder Robert Ellis, Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said via news release. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is honored to partner with these life-changing charities across Houston, our country, and the world."

More details: Residents can purchase items such as meals, medical care and clothing for area nonprofits, which, according to the news release, will include:

• Target Hunger
• East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry
• BEAR, or Be A Resource
• TOMAGWA HealthCare Ministries
• Interfaith of The Woodlands
• Church World Service
• Splash International

On the heels of what proponents have called “historic” property tax relief, some Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the state can afford to continue increasing the tax exemptions passed in 2023 and 2025.

The big picture: Texas homeowners pay property taxes to various local entities, although lawmakers can limit how much entities increase taxes each year and provide state funding to expand tax exemptions.

Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 alone and may be required to spend more to maintain existing tax exemptions in future bienniums, lawmakers said.

What they're saying: "We're kind of maxed out at what we can do for property tax reform, from a budget perspective," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Nov. 20 event.

"$51 billion ongoing, it's a huge amount to continue to support. To think about doing anything more seems very fiscally irresponsible," Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

The other side: Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, said creating limits on local government spending would be critical to keeping Texas affordable.