See 3 transportation updates around the Magnolia area
Here are the latest updates on three transportation projects happening in the Magnolia area. This list is not comprehensive.
FM 1488 widening west of Magnolia Project: Between the Waller County line and FM 1774 west of Magnolia, FM 1488 is being widened from two to four lanes with a continuous left-turn lane. Update: This project is 98% completed, according to a Sept. 11 media update from the Texas Department of Transportation.
Timeline: November 2020-third quarter 2025
Cost: $35.35 million
Funding source: state funds
FM 1488 widening through Magnolia Project: FM 1488 is being widened from two to four lanes with a continuous left-turn lane in Magnolia between FM 1774 and west of FM 149. Update: According to a Sept. 11 media update from TxDOT, this project is 60% completed.
Home sales increase year over year in August in the Tomball, Magnolia area
August home sales saw an increase year over year in the Tomball and Magnolia area, according to market data provided by Homeward.
What you need to know: Home sales increased in all five ZIP codes in the Tomball and Magnolia area, with total home sales increasing 16.4% year over year in August. Meanwhile, the median price of homes sold increased year over year in August in three of the five ZIP codes in the Tomball and Magnolia area. 77362 saw the largest percentage increase of 18.85%—going from $330,240 to $392,495.
Also of note: Of the homes that sold in August in Tomball and Magnolia, 41% of them were priced between $300,000-$499,999.
Magnolia City Council adopts FY 2025-26 budget, sets $0.2277 tax rate
Magnolia City Council approved the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget and adopted a new property tax rate during a special meeting Sept. 16.
The details: The approved tax rate is $0.2277 per $100 valuation, which differs from the previous fiscal year’s tax rate, $0.2509 per $100 valuation, as previously reported.
The budget allocates funding for city services, capital projects and operations for the year beginning Oct. 1. It includes appropriations for the general fund, water and sewer fund, debt service and the city’s economic development corporations, per the document.
Compared to last fiscal year, Magnolia's approved revenues saw a 16.9% increase to $9.4 million and a 16.5% increase in approved expenditures to $9.3 million, resulting in a surplus of $33,366, according to city documents. The budget breakdown includes:
Harris Central Appraisal District board appoints new Chief Appraiser Adam Bogard
Adam Bogard will serve as the new Harris Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser starting in January, as Roland Altinger retires after over 30 years in the role.
The details: Altinger, who officially announced his retirement in July, will remain in his position until the end of the year, then become an advisor to the new chief appraiser until the end of February, according to a Sept. 17 news release.
Board Chairman Jim Robinson said Bogard’s experience as the county’s current deputy chief appraiser was beneficial to the board’s evaluation committee.
Quote of note: “Adam Bogard has a vast amount of experience at the appraisal district, and his knowledge and background will enable him to continue to provide the leadership necessary to provide Harris County property owners with first-class customer service,” Robinson said.
PREVIEW: Harris County commissioners to vote on FY 2025-26 budget
Harris County commissioners will meet Sept. 24 to hold public hearings and discussions prior to adopting the $2.7 billion fiscal year 2025-26 budget for the county, as well as the FY 2025-26 budgets for the Harris County Toll Road Authority and Harris Health System.
The context: For FY 2024-25, Harris County's budget included about $2.9 billion for the county's general fund budget and $274.1 million for the Harris County Flood Control District, as previously reported in Community Impact.
The background: In the months leading up to the September budget adoption, Harris County commissioners and department leaders have implemented a yearlong hiring freeze to save at least $25 million in costs to address a projected $200 million-plus shortfall in FY 2025-26. Other cost-saving decisions commissioners and more than 80 department leaders identified included finding at least 10% in potential cost saving opportunities within their current level of services to address the shortfall in the FY 2025-26 budget, county officials said.
