Kendall County is working to conserve property and prevent large-scale development in the county’s natural areas.

The background: In 2022, voters supported Proposition A, a bond giving the county $20 million to be spent on “open space and conservation land and acquiring conservation easements on land for any authorized purposes,” according to the ballot language.

A closer look: Because the bonds are interest-bearing, 85% of funds must be spent within three years, requiring the county to pay around $17 million by June 2026. Rusty Busby, chair of the Proposition A Committee formed by Kendall County commissioners in 2023, told Community Impact that the committee is identifying properties to support with funding before the deadline.

According to the Texas Agricultural Land Trust, a conservation easement is a voluntary restriction placed on property to protect natural, productive or cultural features. The easement is recorded as a legal agreement between the landowner and the holder of the easement, which may be a conservation organization or government agency.

This Texas-based chicken chain has shuttered its sole location in Boerne to close off the year.

In case you missed it: Bush’s Chicken officially closed its doors in mid-December, removing its signage and posting a notice on the front door.

The note says, “we are ready to serve you at any of our San Antonio locations.”

It was the chain’s only location in Boerne, situated at 1550 Hwy. 46, near Champion High School.

Bush’s Chicken has yet to release a statement on the closure, and the location’s Facebook page is still posting menu updates as of Dec. 31.

Now, the closest Bush’s Chicken location to Boerne is in North San Antonio at 1226 W. Bitters Road, according to the company’s store locator tool.

On the menu: Bush’s Chicken was founded in Waco in 2005, specializing in fried chicken tenders and classic Southern sides like mashed potatoes, okra, coleslaw and more, according to their website.

The chain has over 70 locations spread across Texas.

• 1550 Hwy. 46, Boerne

Fast-casual eatery Jason's Deli is celebrating its 50th anniversary by honoring the fresh food, people and communities that have defined the restaurant, officials announced in a Dec. 30 news release.

The background: The deli was founded in 1976 by Joe Tortorice Jr. in Beaumont and has since branched out to 114 Texas locations and 235 delis nationwide in 27 states, per the release.

What's new: According to the release, the eatery is celebrating its anniversary by spotlighting new soups during the National Soup Month of January, while also rolling out new items, including the Deli-Bration Cookie—a sugar cookie topped with sprinkles—and returning others.

In their own words: “Our 50th anniversary is about staying true to what’s made Jason’s Deli special since day one—thoughtfully prepared dishes, diverse selections and genuine care for the people we serve,” Clare Wilson, vice president of culinary and R&D at Jason’s Deli, said in the release. 

This November, Texas voters approved 17 constitutional amendments, also known as state propositions. Here’s what’s next for some of those propositions and what they mean for Texans.

The overview: Texas voters authorized the state to spend $1 billion annually on water supply funding, totaling $20 billion over a two-decade period, through Proposition 4. Funding will flow into the Texas Water Fund, a state account created in 2023 to help finance water projects.

However, state law requires that the money does not begin moving into the water fund until September 2027, and it will not be available for grants until 2029. Until then, state agencies, water utilities and local organizations will need to plan for funding, adjust rules and processes to align with recent state laws and update Texas’ water and flood plans, according to the Texas Water Foundation.

More details: Texas homeowners were set to see expanded property tax breaks on their 2025 tax bills under Propositions 11 and 13. Four other property tax exemptions approved by voters will take effect Jan. 1.