Fulshear voters will determine whether to increase the city’s general fund sales tax from 1% to 1.25% while reducing the city’s Economic Development Corp. A-Board sales tax from 0.5% to 0.25% during a May 2 special election.

The special election was approved in a 4-1 vote at a Feb. 3 City Council meeting with District 5 council member Abhijeet Utturkar voting against. At-large council member Camron Miller and District 2 council member Patrick Powers were absent.

Explained: If approved, the special election would shifts sales tax from EDC-A to the general fund, rather than creating a Crime Control and Prevention District—which was suggested at a Jan. 20 meeting. The move would give the city more flexibility with tax revenue, Fulshear City Manager Zach Goodlander said.

The additional sales tax would amount to approximately $1.25 million, still below the $1.7 million city officials are aiming to reach in police funding, but could also be used for other projects if city staff deem it necessary, Goodlander said.

Five Democratic candidates are running for U.S. House District 22—which includes parts of Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land and Missouri City—in the upcoming March primary election.

Zooming in: The position is currently held by Republican Troy E. Nehls, who is not seeking reelection.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Here's what we asked them:

• Why are you running for office?
• What are your qualifications for why you’d be a strong candidate in this role?
• If elected, what will be your top priorities?
• What are the biggest challenges facing this district and how do you plan to address these issues?
• With district boundaries and representation changing, how will you ensure your constituents have the resources they need?
• What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

To help reduce pet overpopulation while supporting responsible pet ownership, Harris County Pets is expanding low-cost spay and neuter services with appointments available every Tuesday and Thursday throughout February.

What you need to know: Starting Feb. 3, Harris County Pets—the open-admission animal shelter for unincorporated Harris County—is offering spay and neuter surgeries for $40 per pet performed by licensed veterinarians, per a Feb. 2 news release. 

In observance of Spay and Neuter Awareness Month and Responsible Pet Owners Month, HCP will serve up to 20 dogs and cats each date.

Quote of note: “At Harris County Pets, prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have to save lives,” said Corey Steele, director of HCP and the Veterinary Public Health Division at Harris County Public Health.

The details: Per the release, demand for these services are high, and appointments are required and available on a first-come, first-served basis.