The water treatment plant near Boerne City Lake is set for an expansion, increasing water production and quality for city water users.

What’s happening? Boerne City Council on Nov. 18 reviewed the pilot study for a new treatment plant construction at the city lake site.

The original plant was constructed in 1978, with area residents using groundwater prior to lake use, Utilities Director Michael Mann said.

Mann said the plant expansion would help meet regulatory requirements from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, targeting chemicals such as Geosmin, an organic compound that gives water an earthy taste and smell. To meet peak demand needs and accommodate future growth, the plants need to produce a projected 3.1 million gallons per day, Mann said.

The cost of the new plant is around $24.2 million and is planned to be operational by 2030. Funding for the facility is planned to be gained through impact fees and revenue bonds.  

Having a purpose and a sense of community are two things that Olivia Burdick said are key to supporting our local seniors.

“Being here to advocate for our local seniors is so important,” Burdick said. “It’s a population that is often not the priority for a lot of people.”

Burdick is the CEO of The Center, a community facility for seniors 55 and older in Boerne, serving residents not just in the Hill Country but the greater San Antonio area.

What’s special about it? The Center offers just about any kind of hobby, activity and class, ranging from Zumba classes to meditation to watercolor painting.

The local impact: Not only does The Center provide a safe space for area seniors, but Burdick said they also participate in a number of community programs.

“My favorite part about The Center is knowing that every day we are significantly impacting a life,” Burdick said.

• 17 Old San Antonio Road, Boerne

The big picture: Jim Perschbach, president and CEO of Port San Antonio, is working to redevelop the port's Southwest San Antonio campus into a world-class space for aerospace, cybersecurity and defense companies.

With an aim of transforming the former Kelly Air Force Base into a developed research campus that also lifts the fortune of the nearby residents, campus development projects include the Innovation Tower, a defense campus, a military campus, a child development center, a vertiport, grocers, retail and dining options.

The conditions: Perschbach said the port's current economic impact seems improbable because the campus mostly consists of buildings in need of repairs, with the aim of future revitalization.

The outlook: Perschbach's vision for the campus is inspired by Walt Disney World's EPCOT. The campus will showcase the past, present and future through its architectural design.  

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is moving forward with a set of permanent rules designed to prohibit the sale of consumable THC products to anyone under 21 years old.

The overview: The proposal is similar to emergency rules adopted Sept. 23, which are currently in effect and prohibit Texas alcohol retailers from selling intoxicating THC products to minors. The state health department adopted similar emergency rules in October.

The context: The existing and proposed THC rules are the result of a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

Earlier this month, federal lawmakers approved a ban on most consumable THC products, which is set to take effect in November 2026. The ban is part of a federal funding package that became law Nov. 12, ending a 43-day federal government shutdown.

Next steps: Texans can weigh in on the TABC's proposed permanent rules during a Dec. 11 virtual public hearing or submit written public comments through Jan. 4.