PfISD budget shortfall shrinks as district implements state funding
Pflugerville ISD board of trustees approved a pay increase for teachers over the summer, as required by House Bill 2, which also provided the district with some additional funding to help reduce its budget deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Overview: House Bill 2, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June, mandated pay raises for educators and support staff to bolster teacher and employee retention. It also created new funding allotments for fixed costs and other expenses.
Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Land said at a July board meeting that the district expects to receive an estimated $16.8 million in state funding related to HB 2. Per the state mandate, PfISD board trustees approved a $2,500 pay raise for qualified classroom teachers with three to four years of experience; and a $5,000 raise for teachers with five years of experience.
Second Chance Resale sells 'a little bit of everything' in Hutto
A new resale store joined Hutto’s growing business community earlier this year, with Second Chance Resale selling a variety of goods out of its space within the Affordable Storage RV, Boat and Shops complex.
The gist: The shop sells second-hand furniture, new and used clothes, books, knick knacks, decor, antiques, memorabilia, games and more. Owner Waylon Westmoreland said he finds items by purchasing storage containers, attending estate sales and visiting other sites.
The new concept will be led by chefs Daniel Berg and Dylan Salisbury, of the Austin-based Berg & Sons Hospitality. The company opened its first restaurant, Bill’s Oyster, in 2023 and opened Teddy’s Restaurant & Bar in 2024.
The menu blends fine dining with casual fare, featuring Pat LaFrieda steaks—sourced from the renowned East Coast butcher—alongside burgers, cocktails and wines at a range of price points, according to a news release.
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Asian-barbecue fusion food truck Si Baby-Q relocated to Pink Flamingo Food Court in July. The menu features barbecue dishes with an Asian twist, such as brisket and ribs with an Indonesian pepper and spice rub.
Sides include smoked kimchi; queso noodles made with long peppers from India; street corn; roti, or an Indian bread; and a banana pudding dessert.
The food truck also sells smoked meats by the pound and features weekend specials such as smashburgers.
Communities in Texas’ Flash Flood Alley may soon have to install flood warning sirens
Some communities in Flash Flood Alley, which stretches through Central Texas and includes the Colorado and Guadalupe River basins, would be required to install flood warning sirens under a bill advanced by state House lawmakers Aug. 26.
The details: Under Senate Bill 3:
The Texas Water Development Board would identify areas impacted by the deadly July 4-5 floods that have “a history of consistent or severe flooding.”
Local governments in the identified areas would be required to install flood warning sirens if they are not already present.
The state would distribute up to $50,000 in grants to help cities and counties install warning systems.
Lawmakers have said they were concerned that some Hill Country residents and visitors missed or did not receive emergency alerts related to the July 4 floods, which began before sunrise.
Next steps: House lawmakers passed SB 3 unanimously Aug. 26, returning it to the Senate with a minor amendment. If senators sign off on the amendment, the warning siren bill will head to the governor’s desk.
