The Shenandoah City Council approved an amendment to its interlocal fire services contract with The Woodlands Fire Department and approved a special-use permit for a new hotel during its Oct. 14 meeting.

A closer look: The unanimously approved fire services amendment moves budgeting to a fiscal year system to align with Shenandoah's budgeting process. The contract provides fire services from The Woodlands Fire Department in exchange for a fee from Shenandoah's operating budget. The fee is calculated using the city's tax roll, with the value of tax-exempt properties fixed at the 2025 amount.

By the numbers: The calculation change will save the city roughly $53,000 on its 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The city's fire services budget totals just under $2.39 million.

Also on the agenda: The council approved a Staybridge and Atwell Suites hotel at 9030 Tamina Road in a 5-1 vote, following a postponement on Sept. 23. Councilman Frank Robinson voted against granting the permit.

The gist: The boutique Concept 58 officially opened on Sept. 18. Co-owned by Mariel Belloso and Veronica Rodriguez, the store is located on Kuykendahl Road.

What they offer: The boutique offers a variety of items and services, including:

• Handbags and clutches

• Jewelry

• Framed art

• Candles

• Complimentary gift wrapping

"We hand-pick every item in the store, from the handbags and jewelry to the candles and the art on our walls," Belloso said.

📍 26820 Kuykendahl Road, Ste. 141, The Woodlands.

Montgomery County commissioners will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 22 to discuss and approve awards for two projects. These include finishing the David Memorial Drive extension to Hwy. 242 and debris monitoring for San Jacinto River watershed flood mitigation projects.

The backstory: The David Memorial Drive extension project aims to improve mobility and relieve traffic congestion. The final segment has an estimated cost of $2.5 million and is set to be paid through a Montgomery County road bond approved by voters in May 2025. Agenda documents recommend using JFO Services, LLC for the base bid of over $1.8 million.

Additionally, commissioners will discuss awarding a contract for San Jacinto River watershed flood mitigation efforts, which received $60 million from the Texas General Land Office. This funding is split among three areas:

• East Montgomery County: $36.38 million
• Stewart Creek: $15 million
• Lake Creek: $8.99 million

Before you go: Commissioners will also approve an interlocal law enforcement agreement with The Woodlands Township for mounted patrol.

Federal, state and local leaders met Oct. 16 to discuss future collaboration on regional flood mitigation projects for Greater Houston.

At a glance: The meeting, closed to the public but open to the media, was the third cross-jurisdictional meeting held to address the region's infrastructure needs. Attendees included FEMA officials and elected leaders from the state House, state Senate, the City of Houston, Harris County and Montgomery County.

The details: Key points from the discussion included:

• Houston City Council member Twila Carter emphasized mitigating flood risk before disasters occur.

• Montgomery County Commissioners Ritch Wheeler and Matt Gray noted funding challenges, as the county relies on property taxes and lacks access to sales taxes.

• FEMA Deputy Division Director John Garvin said that predictable projects are most competitive for FEMA grants.

• State Rep. Steve Toth said the group will meet again to begin drilling down on projects.