The Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $3.095 billion budget, and one of the highest property tax rates in the county’s history with a 3-2 vote during its Sept. 17 meeting.

What you need to know: Taxpayers will see a 7.6% property tax rate increase in comparison with last year after the court approved a rate of $0.67 per $100 of home value. The court also adopted the 2026-27 budget amid a projected shortfall of about $181 million.

The property tax rate will cost the average homeowner $193 per year, Harris County Office of Management and Budget Director Daniel Ramos previously said.

The details: Some of the major drivers of cost were healthcare, pay equity and the justice system. Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said the county’s cost to provide healthcare increased $89 million this year compared with last. The court also approved pay raises for law enforcement and some elected officials in August, with the constables, district attorney, county attorney, district clerk and tax assessor-collector set to make $305,000 annually. The budget includes $15 million in additional funding for indigent defense, with the goal of the county’s Public Defender’s Office to represent 50% of eligible cases, according to a press release.

The court oversees tax rates for the county’s general fund, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Port of Houston Authority and Harris Health. It also sets the budget for those entities, with the exception of the port authority.

About 80% of the county’s budget is funded through property taxes.

Cy-Fair ISD held its first Community Connect meeting of the school year on Sept. 17, where Superintendent Doug Killian discussed the district's $80.9 million shortfall and upcoming Nov. 3 ballot propositions.

The district detailed several propositions for voters:

• Prop. A: A voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) proposing a $0.12 per $100 valuation tax rate increase to generate an estimated $103.6 million annually.

• Prop. B: $1.3 billion for critical infrastructure, safety and transportation.

• Prop. C: $256 million for instructional technology.

• Prop. D: $60.8 million for maintaining existing high school stadiums.

• Prop. E: $20.1 million for maintaining existing district swimming pools.

Killian noted that if the propositions do not pass, the district will face downsizing, likely starting with elementary schools. Factors driving the financial need include declining average daily attendance, lack of enrollment funding and dropping birth rates. The district has already made $94 million in cuts, including reductions in transportation, librarians and support positions.

Family-owned Grupo Herrera Restaurants is opening a new restaurant, Galiana's Casa Del Tequila, in Cypress. The establishment will offer upscale Mexican flavors, including seafood, steaks, ceviche and tacos.

Key details about the restaurant's offerings and schedule include:

• It will serve lunch and dinner daily, alongside American and Mexican brunch options on Saturdays and Sundays.

• Cocktails will be made from scratch using tequila, mezcal, fresh citrus and seasonal flavors.

• A Locker Collection will allow guests to purchase and privately store spirits while receiving exclusive perks.

• A soft opening is scheduled from Sept. 21 through 27 with dinner service from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. by reservation only.

• The official grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 28, after which walk-ins will be welcome.

Several notable stories trended across the northern portion of the Greater Houston area from Sept. 11-18:

• The Lone Star College System student enrollment exceeded 100,000 students for the fall semester, marking a milestone for the college system.
• Texas Roadhouse filed for a new 7,926-square-foot location in Montgomery, which is projected to cost $1.5 million to construct.
• Midnight Cravingz plans to bring late-night specialty ice cream to Cypress in October.
• CenterPoint Energy representatives will share information in November about an upcoming electric grid resiliency project in Jersey Village.
• The Klein ISD board unanimously approved a Certification of Compliance on Sept. 14.
• The Flying Biscuit Cafe is anticipating a fall opening for a new Magnolia location.
• Sprouts Farmers Market is now open in The Woodlands.
• Construction is scheduled to begin in November on the first phase of a 200-acre park project in New Caney.