New Braunfels City Council approves $114.6M budget for FY 2025-26
In New Braunfels, uniformed public safety staff will be receiving a pay increase in October following City Council’s approval of a $114.6 million general fund budget and a tax rate of $0.4089 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2025-26 on Sept. 8.
What’s changed: The budget increased from the proposed amount of $113.5 million after the city approved a budget order for five items that were not initially in the budget. A budget order is part of the annual process in which staff recommend adjustments based on council direction or updated estimates that provide additional capacity, according to an email from a city of New Braunfels spokesperson.
Five items were added to the city’s budget, including a crime analyst position, which will enhance the police department’s ability to track, analyze and respond to motor vehicle-related crimes. The city received funding for FY 2025-26 through a Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority Grant, which will fully support the position, the email states. The city also shifted its employee compensation funding strategy.
Native Plant Society chapter celebrates 25 years in Comal County
The Lindheimer Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, which is based out of Canyon Lake, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a silver jubilee on Sept. 27.
The details: The Lindheimer Chapter is operated by local volunteers who work to educate the communtiy about native plants and their preservation in Central Texas. The local chapter holds monthly meetings and conducts public restoration efforts across the area to promote the planting and care of native plants, according to the chapter's website.
Public Relations Director Marian Stasney said the chapter—founded in 2000—was named after botanist Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer, who was also one of the founding members.
Before you go: Stasney said the nonprofit will host a Wildscapes Workshop at the Tye Preston Memorial Library, located at 16311 S. Access Road, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The workshop will teach attendees about native plants and their preservation in Central Texas, according to the plant society's website.
Tye Preston Memorial Library, 16311 S. Access Road, Canyon Lake
5 trending stories: District phone bans, British cafe in North San Antonio and more San Antonio news
From a ban on personal electronic devices in North East ISD to a closer look at an authentic British cafe and restaurant in North San Antonio, check out the top stories from Community Impact in the San Antonio metro the week of Sept. 22-26.
📵 North East ISD bans electronic devices during class time
Texans have through Oct. 6 to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election
The Nov. 4 election is coming up, and so is the deadline to register to vote. Eligible Texans must register by Oct. 6 to cast votes in various local races and weigh in on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.
What to know: Texans who need to register to vote must submit a paper application. The application is available here and must be printed, signed and mailed to the election office in the voter’s county of residence.
Texas does not allow online voter registration, unless residents are updating, renewing or replacing a Texas driver’s license or ID card.
Zooming in: To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:
Be a U.S. citizen
Reside in the county they apply to vote in
Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court
Registered voters can check their voter registration status online at any time and update identifying information, such as their name and address, online through Oct. 6.
Bentley Motors to open first retail showroom in San Antonio area
A luxury car manufacturer is expanding its presence in North America, planning to add a new showroom near the Alamo City.
What’s happening? Bentley Motors is currently building a new showroom at 27605 I-10, north of San Antonio, dealership staff told Community Impact.
Currently, there’s no timeline on when it could open to the public.
It’s situated beside the Lamborghini San Antonio dealership and will be operated by the same ownership and staff.
The full story: The UK-based automaker also has showrooms in Austin, Dallas and Houston, with a total of 62 locations across the United States, according to their showroom locator.
Earlier this summer, Bentley Motors announced the opening of two more showrooms in addition to San Antonio—one in Santa Barbara, California and another in the Toronto, Canada area. “These new retail points allow us to meet growing demand in key markets while delivering the bespoke, customer-centric experience that defines Bentley,” Jun Watanabe, the senior director of sales and operations for Bentley, said in a news release.
