New Braunfels City Council unanimously appointed The Law Offices of Ryan Henry to independently investigate issues relating to the police department headquarters following closed session during a special meeting Aug. 3.

A quick note: Council member Michael Capizzi recused himself and was not present during the meeting on the advice of legal counsel. Capizzi is employed by Joeris General Contractors, the construction firm that built the city’s police department headquarters.

Some background: The 2019 bond project, which cost $36.3 million, had a contracted warranty of one year during which 193 items were identified, submitted and completed. Door adjustments, fencing, roofing and HVAC items were the most common issues identified. Although Joeris General Contractors worked with the city to ensure the necessary corrections were made, roof leaks and other structural issues continued to be reported following the one-year warranty period—which expired July 22, 2023.

A New Braunfels food truck specializing in Mexican treats is expanding with a brick-and-mortar location this fall.

Check this out: Munchies Locos is opening a second location at 840 S. Business I-35 in early October, Owner Juanita Rocha said.

The new location will offer inside seating. Rocha said she is "sticking strictly to snacks," but wants to try to get a little more creative with an expanded menu now that she'll have more space. She said she plans to offer fresas con crema, dirty sodas, waffle cones and ice cream cones.

One more thing: Rocha said she plans to keep the food truck, with plans to move it to San Marcos or Kyle.

• 840 S. Business I-35, New Braunfels

Brunello Cucinelli, an apparel brand founded in Solomeo, Italy, in 1978, announced its opening at the San Marcos Premium Outlets in early July.

The store has since opened its doors, welcoming shoppers and adding to the mall’s growing list of luxury options.

The overview: Brunello Cucinelli offers customers “Made in Italy” products, including clothes, footwear, fragrances, accessories and eyewear for men, women and children.

The store is the brand’s first outlet store location in Texas, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

• 3939 I-35, Ste. 950A, San Marcos

Within the next year, Texans will likely see changes to when they can vote early in elections, including expanded weekend voting hours.

The overview: Last year, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2753, which shifts Texas’ early voting window closer to election day, cutting out a three-day gap between the two voting periods and adding more Saturday and Sunday voting.

While the changes did not take effect immediately and were designed to help boost voter turnout, local election administrators said the law will also significantly raise costs for municipalities and delay the release of election results.

Election officials said the current three-day break allows staff to set up polling places for election day and prepare submitted ballots so results from early and mail-in voting can be released quickly after the polls close on election night.

The impact: Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth estimated that the shift would raise the cost of administering a large election by 30% and increase costs for smaller elections by 9%, due to personnel, equipment and voter education needs.