HTX-LHK: Impact 10/28/2025

Two projects updating the Humble Civic Center were approved by Humble City Council on Oct. 23.

The overview: Humble City Council unanimously approved about $1.15 million for the Civic Center’s arena roof replacement and almost $183,000 to rebuild a chiller in the facility, according to meeting documents. The roof upgrade will be completed by January.

Additionally, the Civic Center’s chiller project will not interfere with events held at the facility, according to city officials.

By the numbers: City Manager Jason Stuebe said the roof project will cost less than what the city budgeted for in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget, which was approved Sept. 11. The city budgeted about $1.2 million for the roof overhaul.

The Houston Public Works department has several transportation and drainage-related projects underway or planned in the Kingwood area.

Kingwood Diversion Ditch bridge replacements
Project: The bridges over the Kingwood Diversion Ditch at Walnut Lane and Kingwood Drive will be replaced.
Update: Houston Public Works officials said this project is in the preliminary design phase during a Sept. 30 town hall in Kingwood held by Houston District E Council Member Fred Flickinger.

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: $6 million
• Funding source: federal funding secured by Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Kingwood, Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund 

• Timeline: spring 2025-fall 2025
• Cost: $1.52 million
• Funding source: Dedicated Drainage and Street Renewal Fund

YES Prep Public Schools has launched a new four-year, $80 million campaign dubbed “The Power of YES," officials announced in an Oct. 23 news release.

The gist: The campaign will allow the Houston charter school system to invest in technology and facilities while working toward becoming an "A"-rated district. Per the release, the initiative will:

• Add 5,000 new school seats
• Complete YES Prep’s full pre-K-12 feeder pattern
• Fund the construction of six new schools
• Rebuild three of YES Prep’s oldest campuses
• Invest in innovative programs, bilingual education and tools that prepare students for college, careers and leadership

Texas is home to about 3.5 million small businesses, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Estimates show that the average Texas small-business owner could save about $2,500 per year if voters approve an expanded business tax exemption on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The details: State Proposition 9 would exempt up to $125,000 of a business’s personal property, such as equipment, furniture and vehicles, from taxation. Texas business owners currently receive a tax exemption on property worth $2,500 or less.

“At $2,500, virtually everyone's paying this tax,” NFIB Texas Director Jeff Burdett said in an Oct. 24 interview. “If you have a desk, a computer and a chair, you're probably over $2,500 [in inventory]. … It makes no difference for almost any business.”

At the polls: Early voting in the Nov. 4 election began Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.