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Police agencies in New Caney, Porter compete to reach pay parity

Local law enforcement agencies tackled the issue of officer pay during the 2025-26 budget season, with Montgomery County leading the charge for a more competitive salary than what is offered in the city of Houston.

What's happening: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jonathan Zitzmann presented a pay parity plan for officer salaries to the Montgomery County Commissioners Court on Aug. 12. Previously, local law enforcement leaders had raised concerns about Houston’s plan, announced in May, that will raise police pay by 36.5% by 2030. Montgomery County’s pay plan was approved under the county’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget Sept. 5.

The impact: Zitzmann said the approach in Montgomery County will focus on recruiting, retaining and rewarding law enforcement personnel.

Quote of note: “A lot of our guys are working a second job,” County Judge Mark Keough said. “[The pay parity plan] ... gives them some freedom to choose not to.”

 
CI Business
Cavalino barber shop reopens in bigger suite in Porter

Cavalino barber shop has moved to another suite within shopping plaza La Marketa de Porter.

Zooming in: The shop was previously located in Suite 205 and is now located in Suite 104-A. Cavalino offers haircuts for adults and kids, as well as hair designs and beard trims. The shop opened in 2024 and relocated to gain more space, as previously reported.

  • Relocated in early September
  • 24151 Hwy. 59, Ste. 205, Porter
 
Latest Education News
Lone Star College System board lowers property tax rate for FY 2025-26

Lone Star College System board members voted to lower the college system’s property tax rate for fiscal year 2025-56 during the board’s Oct. 2 meeting.

The action taken: The board unanimously approved a FY 2025-26 tax rate of $0.1060 per $100 valuation, down from last year’s rate of $0.1076. Trustee Rebecca Broussard was absent from the Oct. 2 meeting.

Diving deeper: According to the Oct. 2 meeting documents, the tax rate is made up of:

  • $0.0785 per $100 valuation for the maintenance and operations tax rate, up from last year’s rate of $0.0757.
  • $0.0275 per $100 valuation for the interest and sinking rate, down from last year’s rate of $0.0319.

In case you missed it: The board passed a balanced budget of $548 million—which included a 3% raise for staff—for FY 2025-26 on Aug. 7. The budget included a roughly $13 million drop in revenue from the previous fiscal year.
 

 

FOODIE FRIDAY
Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.

Mia’s Table, a southern comfort food restaurant, is slated to come to the Market at Town Center in Sugar Land, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations filing.


The casual family-friendly eatery serves a variety of burgers, tacos, sandwiches, salads and seafood options, according to its website.


The menu lineup also features chicken fried steak, meatloaf and chicken strips, as well as milkshakes.


Read more.

 

🍕 Gypsy Poet pizzeria looks to open new location in Rice Village
(Read more)

☕️ Black Rock Coffee Bar opens 23rd Houston area location in Katy
(Read more)

🍽️ D'Alba opening location in Magnolia
(Read more)

🌮 Terlinguas Tex-Mex Garage coming soon to Spring
(Read more)

 

Sake Bon officials said the Japanese eatery has plans to expand with a location in Kingwood by early October.


According to the website, Sake Bon offers all-you-can-eat Japanese cuisine including soups, sushi, noodles, rice and hibachi. Appetizers offered range from edamame to spring rolls and fried calamari.


Read more.

Your local team

Hannah Brol
Senior Editor

Kim Sommers
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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