Boerne city budget approved, tax rate remains unchanged
Boerne City Council on Sept. 9 held the final public hearing and approved its fiscal year 2025-26 budget and tax rate. The tax rate remains unchanged compared to the previous fiscal year, but may increase average annual taxes paid due to an increase in home appraisal values.
The breakdown: The general fund, which covers daily operations and expenses, accounts for $43 million of the budget, while city utilities are expected to cost around $88 million. City utilities revenue comes from rate payers rather than property taxes.
According to the budget, the city will raise $1.08 million in additional property taxes, and $266,194 of that revenue will be raised from new property added to the city tax roll.
Of the $43 million increase compared to the previous year’s budget, $40.3 million is for capital-related projects, $1.2 million is for one-time expenses and operational increases account for $1.5 million.
The Back Nine Golf coming soon to Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch
A new golf simulator is on its way to the Hill Country, with a new facility slated to open later this year in Boerne.
Zooming in: The Back Nine Golf is planning on opening before 2026 at 228 W. Bandera Road, local franchise Owner Rebecca Flores told Community Impact.
“We’re hoping by the end of the year, this winter,” Flores said.
She said the golf simulator chain has around 20 locations in Texas, but plans to grow that number to 50 or 60.
Sorting out details: According to their website, the new golf simulator has a variety of virtual courses from around the world in addition to driving range training and club swing profiles.
There will be tournaments, the ability to host events, individual practice, kids camps and more.
The facility will also have 24/7 access for those with memberships.
The project is expected to begin mid-September and be completed by early 2026.
Founded in New Jersey and having expanded to more than 300 stores nationwide, Playa Bowls offers a variety of bowls using plant-based ingredients, alongside a selection of smoothies and pressed juices.
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More fried chicken options are available in North San Antonio, thanks to the expansion of a new Texas-based fast food chain. Urban Bird Hot Chicken officially opened on Sept. 4, restaurant staff told Community Impact.
The new eatery is situated at 22106 Hwy. 281, Ste. 102, near TPC Parkway.
Additionally, the chain plans to open two more San Antonio locations, one at La Cantera and another on the city’s west side, according to the restaurant's website.
New senior assistance service now in operation across North San Antonio
A new senior assistance service is now up and running across the northern portions of San Antonio.
The framework: Assisted Living Locators has announced its beginning of operations on Aug. 6, said Rhonda Grundemann, the company’s director of communications.
Grundemann said that the new branch of the senior service is locally owned and operated by Lori and John Yeats.
“Our goal is to be the compassionate advocates we wish we had—offering families the guidance, understanding, and support they need,” Lori Yeats said in a news release.
What are the options: The service not only helps to provide comprehensive assessments for senior needs and wellness, but it also helps coordinate and administer guided tours of living and treatment facilities for advanced senior care.
Great Springs Project CEO Garry Merritt said the goal of a projected 100-mile trail system that will run continuously from Austin to San Antonio is to protect the area’s natural waters and improve the quality of life for residents, according to previous reporting.
With that aim in mind, GSP is partnering with the Texas Department of Transportation to administer a Trails Corridor Study, which will identify priorities for each component of the trail.
Mapping it out: There are three different surveys: one that asks what residents would like to see on the trails, another that focuses on which trails are a priority and one to identify how the trails will be used.
