Montgomery County commissioners stopped short of calling a November bond election for a proposed justice center Aug. 6, with members of the court saying too many questions remain about the building’s size, cost and long-term capacity.

The court had been scheduled to consider an order calling a Nov. 3 bond election and to discuss potential funding scenarios. After more than 45 minutes of discussion, a motion tied to the bond was rescinded and commissioners took no action on either item.

Instead, commissioners discussed holding additional workshops on the justice center after the county finishes its upcoming budget process, tentatively planning a workshop after Sept. 1. The deadline for counties to order a measure for the Nov. 3 election is Aug. 17, according to the Texas Secretary of State.

What happened: Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects presented several options for the proposed downtown Conroe justice center, including a 10-floor concept with a basement. One option shown to commissioners totaled about 316,000 square feet and included a 777-space parking garage.

The Tomball ISD board of trustees is set to review and approve multiple agenda items at its Aug. 10 workshop and Aug. 11 regular meeting. Some of the items set to be discussed include student conduct, transportation updates and approval dates for upcoming board elections in November. 

Items worth mentioning: At the Aug. 10 regular workshop meeting, the TISD board of trustees will review multiple reports, including the new Student Conduct Guide by Director of Administrative Services Karen Graves. 

Also on the agenda is a transportation update from TISD Chief Operating OfficerSteven Gutierrez. As previously reported, TISD was unable to comply with the recent seat belt ruling from the Texas Senate. The ruling dictates that all school buses moving forward must be equipped with three-point seat belts. 

Dates to know: TISD’s Aug. 10 workshop and Aug. 11 regular meetings will both be held at the John P. Neubauer Administration Building beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

Sportika Woodlands Indoor Padel opened in the Magnolia area July 27, Director Paulina Macias confirmed.

What you need to know: The business has six indoor padel courts, professional coaching and lessons and clinics for all levels, according to information from its website.

• 8626 West Lane, Magnolia

Within the next year, Texans will likely see changes to when they can vote early in elections, including expanded weekend voting hours.

The overview: Last year, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2753, which shifts Texas’ early voting window closer to election day, cutting out a three-day gap between the two voting periods and adding more Saturday and Sunday voting.

While the changes did not take effect immediately and were designed to help boost voter turnout, local election administrators said the law will also significantly raise costs for municipalities and delay the release of election results.

Election officials said the current three-day break allows staff to set up polling places for election day and prepare submitted ballots so results from early and mail-in voting can be released quickly after the polls close on election night.

The impact: Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth estimated that the shift would raise the cost of administering a large election by 30% and increase costs for smaller elections by 9%, due to personnel, equipment and voter education needs.