Cibolo City Council unanimously approved for Cibolo Creek Municipal Authority, or CCMA, to issue $8.5 million in bonds on the design contract for the South Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at Trainer Hale and I-10 along Cibolo Creek, on Nov. 18.

Cibolo City Council unanimously approved the execution of a regional wastewater treatment contract between CCMA on Sept. 9, which outlines that Cibolo is obligated to pay 45% of the total expansion cost. Of the $8.5 million design cost, the city will contribute $3.83 million over the next 20 years beginning in 2026, according to the approved contract.

Explained: The city of Schertz, Cibolo and CCMA entered into an interlocal partnership to design and construct a new wastewater treatment plant to meet the current and future wastewater treatment needs in August 2014, agenda documents state.

After closing earlier this fall for a renovation project, a dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP restaurant has reopened its doors on San Antonio’s northeast side.

In case you missed it: The restaurant recently opened in Windcrest at 7880 N. I-35 and adjacent to the Windsor Park shopping area.

Restaurant staff told Community Impact the eatery officially opened Nov. 12.

The context: Originally a single Applebee’s, the restaurant is one of several throughout the area to close and reopen as the dual-branded concept.

On the menu: The eatery is split in half, with one side serving the Applebee’s menu and the other serving IHOP breakfast items.

Menu items from each restaurant are available all day, and include specialty items, such as the spicy buffalo chicken omelette and the ultimate breakfast burger, according to their website.

• 7880 N. I-35, Windcrest

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.