Sugar Land officials unveiled the first look at the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget, which includes several high-dollar roadway and water projects.

The big picture: The proposed $520.7 million budget—which was presented at a July 21 City Council meeting—includes $343.5 million in operations spending for FY 2026-27, officials announced in a July 21 news release.

City officials said a tax rate will be recommended once the city receives its certified tax roll from the Fort Bend County Appraisal District.

Also of note: City officials are also proposing a $612.27 million five-year capital improvement program with $128.82 million proposed for FY 2026-27, per the release.

What’s next: City staff will hold a series of budget workshops on Thursday mornings in August at City Hall beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Other key dates include:

• Aug. 18: Public hearing on proposed budget
• Sept. 8: Public hearing on the proposed tax rate
• Sept. 15: City Council adoption of budget and tax rate

The Lao’d District has opened a second location in Sugar Land, officials confirmed.

On the menu: The restaurant serves Thai and Laotian dishes such as steamed fish, fried rice and a variety of curry options, according to its website. Thai tea and coffee are also available.

One more thing: The Sugar Land location joins the brand’s Bellaire eatery at 9393 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. B, per its website.

• 15295 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land

The Fort Bend County Fair is set to host its 90th fair this fall, officials announced in a July 9 news release.

The 10-day fair, which runs from Sept. 25-Oct. 4, will feature country and Tejano musical performers, a carnival, a rodeo, and the Fort Bend County Fair Queen scholarship competition.

What to expect: Tickets can be purchased online and are valid for the day selected at purchase, per the news release. This includes access to the vendors, exhibits and that day’s events, including concerts and rodeos. Wristbands for carnival rides are purchased separately at the event.

The proceeds from the fair go to scholarships for Fort Bend County students.

Also of note: Most days of the fair will feature a different musician on the main stage, including:

• Sept. 25: Tyce Delk
• Sept. 26: Sawyer Brown
• Sept. 27: Prófugos de Nuevo León
• Sept. 30: David Lewis
• Oct. 1: Josh Meloy
• Oct. 2: Pat Green
• Oct. 3: Vincent Mason
• Oct. 4: Gary P. Nunn

Individuals interested in running for local office are now able to apply for a place on the November general election ballot through Aug.17, according to the Texas Secretary of State's office.

What you need to know: Individuals interested in filing to run for office within a local subdivision or school district must file an application with the entity in charge of the election as well as meet several criteria including:

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Be a resident of the city, district or subdivision

• Be a U.S. citizen

What else: Several local entities across the Greater Houston area are set to have elections, such as:

• Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9

• Klein ISD

• Fort Bend ISD

• New Caney ISD

• City of Roman Forest

• Tomball ISD

• The Woodlands Township

Individuals interested in running for office should check with their local entities for any additional information or application packets ahead of the November general election.

Texas’ power grid operator and regulator have laid out their plans to regulate data centers that connect to the state grid and ensure data center companies, not residents, pay for the industry’s growth.

What's happening: To shield Texans from the negative impacts of data center growth, the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are:

• Prohibiting data centers from taking existing power resources off the grid
• Launching a new process to evaluate large projects looking to connect to the grid
• Creating standards that large consumers must meet before joining the grid
• Developing incentives for large consumers to reduce their energy use ahead of a grid emergency
• Requiring large companies to pay for the grid infrastructure needed to serve them
• Improving ERCOT’s process for projecting future demand