Utility rates in Pearland are projected to rise to nearly 17% for fiscal year 2026-27, city officials said at Pearland City Council’s June 22 meeting.

The big picture: The city's utility debt service is projected to climb from $44 million in FY 2025-26 to $47 million in FY 2026-27 to help pay off major ongoing projects, including the Surface Water Treatment Plant and the Barry Rose and Longwood wastewater expansions.

Alvin ISD’s board of trustees approved a property insurance premium cost of over $5.4 million at its June 23 meeting.

The new cost has dipped by nearly $430,000 compared to the rate approved for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The gist: This premium reduction is largely due to a $0.015, or 5.5% decrease in the property insurance rate, according to district documents.

The district’s total insured values, or TIV, is over $2.14 billion, which is a decrease of last year’s TIV of over $2.16 billion, according to district documents.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is planning an expansion along Hwy. 288, with a new agricultural and livestock complex expected to add more than 1 million square feet of event and programming space.

What we know: The organization announced June 24 that the project will be the largest single facilities investment in the rodeo’s more than 90-year history. Construction is expected to take several years, with the goal of opening the complex in time for the 2029 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

The new facility is designed to support livestock shows, horse show competitions, junior and open breeding shows, archery competitions, agricultural mechanics, commercial auctions and educational contests, including 4-H and intercollegiate programming. Some livestock events will continue to be held at Reliant Center, according to the release.

Diving in deeper: Outside of the annual rodeo, the complex is expected to host year-round educational programming, committee meetings, fundraisers, auctions, galas and other agricultural, youth and Western heritage events.

Travelers flying through George Bush Intercontinental Airport now have a few more comfortable places to sit, work and charge before boarding.

The details: Houston Airports recently added new seating near gates A14 and A15 in Terminal A, increasing seating in that area by 24%, according to a June 23 release. The update added 47 seats, along with workstations, group seating and built-in charging.

The new setup is meant to better fit how people actually use airport space, according to the release. 

What this means: In Terminal A, the seating includes tray tables, charging access, work areas and group seating. The area also has large windows looking out over the airfield.

The seating was previously used in Terminal D before being moved and installed in Terminal A in May, ahead of a busy summer travel season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup travel period, per the release.

Want to learn more about what Community Impact covered last week? Take a look at these five trending stories from June 22-26.

1. Cy-Fair EMS sees 91% increase in calls from assisted living communities

2. New Japanese bookstore to open in Rice Village

3. 7 businesses now open in Sugar Land, Missouri City

4. Conroe ISD reviews impact of new cellphone policy

5. Houston Shock Volleyball relocates to Spring Cypress Road in Tomball