The city of New Braunfels has hired a third party engineer to conduct a full analysis of its police headquarters four years after the building’s completion due to pavement lifting and consistent reports of a leaky roof.

What’s being done: New Braunfels city staff is receiving an independent structural assessment of the building—located at 3030 W. San Antonio St.—that was substantially completed in July 2022, according to a July 13 meeting presentation.

The project’s contractor, Joeris General Contractors, has agreed to monthly on-site meetings with the city’s transportation construction services team. The city’s public works and transportation construction services have also been meeting with police leadership regularly. City staff will also be sending quarterly updates to the City Council via email, New Braunfels Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney said.

A locally owned fabric shop is relocating in New Braunfels after outgrowing its space.

The details: Snippets will be moving from 974 W. San Antonio St. to 1528 E. Commons St., Ste. 13, in late July, owner Trina Iblings said.

"We outgrew our space," Iblings told Community Impact.

The fabric shop, which opened its doors in October 2025, sells materials and tools used for sewing and quilting. Iblings said their new location will give them space for sewing and quilting classes. Snippets will also have a longarm rental.

Snippets will begin offering classes in August, Iblings said.

• Relocating late July
• 1528 E. Commons St., Ste. 13, New Braunfels

Hays County staff will review and potentially update the Commissioners Court rules of decorum for the first time in almost three decades. Staff will additionally review the court’s legal authority to allow the reading of written comments from community members during meetings.

What happened: Commissioners directed staff to review the court’s rules of decorum July 7 and consider an update to better clarify what language and comments are allowed during public meetings. The decorum rules were last updated in 1998.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra directed staff to update the decorum rules with more modern and clearer phrasing. Staff will return to the court with a draft of the updated text to present for review and feedback before being approved.

The context: The request for an update to the court’s rules of decorum came after a June 23 incident where former Hays County Democratic Party Chair Jon Leonard was physically removed from a meeting after interrupting Liz "Sumter" Gajdos, independent candidate for Hays County Judge, during public comments directed at Democratic judge candidate Michelle Cohen.

Gov. Greg Abbott named Robert S. Howden, one of his senior advisers and his office's legislative director, as Texas' 116th secretary of state effective July 18. Howden will succeed Secretary of State Jane Nelson, who resigned effective July 17 more than three years after she took office.

As the state's chief elections officer, Howden will be responsible for overseeing the application of Texas election laws and assisting local election officials. The secretary of state's office also manages business records, government rules and regulations, and other official duties.

Following Abbott's appointment, Howden must be confirmed for the position by at least two-thirds of the Texas Senate. The state Legislature's next regular session will begin in January.