Missouri City officials unanimously approved a $305.87 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and voted to increase the city’s tax rate.

The details: The budget, approved at a Sept. 21 City Council meeting, is approximately $18.72 million higher than the FY 2025-26 revised budget and focuses on public safety, filling vacancies and development.

The budget includes:

• $7.5 million for facilities, including the future Public Safety Headquarters

• $58 million in issuance of debt for capital projects

• 15 new positions, mainly in public works, but also some in public safety, cybersecurity and human resources

• Salary increases for police, fire and non-civil service staff

What else: City Council also voted to increase the tax rate to $0.578363 per $100 taxable value, a 1.32% increase from last year’s tax rate of $0.570825, per agenda documents. 

This increases taxes by approximately $24 a year, or $2 a month, for the median homestead with a taxable value of $310,147. 

Sugar Land Town Square will have a new late-night dining option with the opening of Majestic Kitchen this fall, officials announced in a Sept. 17 news release.

On the menu: The Indian restaurant led by Executive Chef Dipak Aryal will feature a one-of-a-kind Majestic Pasta as well as other signature dishes such as the Maharaja Lamb, per the release.

The 130-seat restaurant will also feature a curated cocktail menu.

The background: The restaurant is inspired by Mahesh Kitchen, which previously occupied the space, and was frequented by Majestic Kitchen owner Santosh Cividi, his wife Supraja, and their family, per the release.

“Majestic Kitchen really began with family,” Cividi said. “My son loved the food, and that connection stayed with us. As we began thinking about what the restaurant could become, the vision grew. We wanted to create a place that celebrates the beauty of India, its food, its hospitality and the experience of gathering together.” 

• 16019 City Walk, Sugar Land

A new agricultural complex is opening along Hwy. 288 with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The Farm will be located about three miles from Reliant Park.

The overview: The Farm, which stands for Furthering our Agriculture and Ranching Mission, will offer 1 million square feet to support Texas youth, agriculture, education and Western heritage, according to a Sept. 17 news release from Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The complex will complement the Rodeo's longstanding home at Reliant Park, according to the news release.

Quote of note: "As we move toward our centennial, the groundbreaking of The Farm reflects our commitment to building not only a world-class facility, but a stronger future for Texas youth and agriculture," said Wesley Sinor, chairman of the board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. "The impact of what begins today will be felt for generations."

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must stop issuing new permits for data centers, Gov. Greg Abbott said Sept. 21.

The overview: His order expands an existing pause on data center development in the state amid consistent public criticism of the booming industry. Abbott, who is running for a fourth term as governor, has recently moved to slow the growth of data centers after calling Texas “the epicenter of AI development" last year.

The context: Hundreds of proposed data centers are currently being audited by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the state power grid.

Some developers may be able to get around the ERCOT pause by building in-house power infrastructure that is not connected to the grid, experts have said.

However, any construction project impacting at least 1 acre of land requires permits from TCEQ.

What they're saying: "As Texas faces increasing pressure on our water supplies and electric grid, we need to ensure that data centers operate efficiently and sustainably," said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas.