Montgomery County commissioners did not approve the Montgomery Central Appraisal District’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget July 9 after a motion to support the spending plan failed to receive a second.

Commissioners asked MCAD officials to revisit their budget and present an amended version to court at a later date for approval. 

Montgomery County would contribute an estimated $3.72 million toward MCAD’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget, an increase of roughly $194,000 from the county’s $3.52 million contribution in FY 2025-26.

The details: The proposed $20 million budget represents a 5.51% increase from FY 2025-26 and would add 18 employees, including 14 appraisal positions. It also includes a 3.5% merit increase for existing employees.

Chief Appraiser Sherry Hunter said the additional positions are intended to help MCAD keep pace with Montgomery County’s continued growth and maintain a more accurate record of properties across the county. 

Wing, a drone delivery service, is now available at eight additional Walmart locations across the Greater Houston area, company officials announced via a July 8 news release.

What's new: Beginning July 8, drone delivery service is now also available at the following Greater Houston-area Walmart locations:

• 13003 Tomball Parkway, Houston
• 12353 FM 1960 Road W., Houston
• 2901 Riley Fuzzel Road, Spring
• 20310 Hwy. 59, New Caney
• 1025 Sawdust Road, Spring
• 13484 Northwest Freeway, Houston
• 13750 East Freeway, Houston
• 3506 Hwy. 6 S., Houston

Sam Houston State University is now accepting applications for its new master’s program in applied biomedical sciences, per a July 7 news release. The inaugural cohort will begin this upcoming fall.

What you need to know: The new master’s program, which will be offered online, will include tracks in medical/healthcare artificial intelligence, healthcare technologies, regulatory affairs and clinical sciences, as previously reported. The application fee is waived for students who are applying for the fall cohort, per the news release. Interested students can apply through ApplyTexas, and the university will also be hosting virtual information sessions July 22 and July 30 from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Some context: The new master’s program will also be connected to SHSU’s Institute for Medical Artificial Intelligence. The institute is working to advance education, research, innovation and the responsible use of AI in medicine and healthcare, per the news release.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials announced the creation of a new C-level leadership position called chief operating officer and general manager.

In a nutshell: The new position—which will be filled by current Chief Revenue Officer Amber Burda—aims to unify strategic direction as well as align programming and strategy for the annual rodeo event, officials announced in a July 7 news release.

Burda has served as chief revenue officer since 2023, although she was initially hired in 2017 as the executive director of sponsorships, business and corporate development, where she led the creation of official rodeo sponsorships.

Sorting out details: Her focus will be on ensuring cross-departmental coordination to enhance operational efficiency, while aligning pricing and revenue strategies with the organization’s mission

In the new role, Burda will oversee most public-facing aspects of the rodeo, including:

• Mission

• Show operations

• Ticketing

• Sponsorships

• Stadium presentation

• The carnival

Burda will also be involved in the creation of the organization’s new agricultural complex along Hwy. 288, per the release.