Fort Bend ISD Bond Oversight Committee pushes for transparency, expanded role
As Fort Bend ISD transitions its Bond Oversight Committee, or BOC, into a new advisory committee, members are calling for a more collaborative role, citing ongoing transparency concerns, limited responsiveness to feedback and the need for stronger oversight of multimillion-dollar bond projects.
The details: Chair Rashid Khokhar, who previously said the committee raised inflation concerns before the district revealed a $132.6 million shortfall from the $1.26 billion 2023 bond, is now urging updates to the committee’s charter to reflect its expanded role and ensure projects meet community expectations and long-term district goals.
“[BOC review of the charter] is a rather critical thing, because without the BOC input, the charter may [lack something] that we will be debating about again,” he said at the Sept. 18 board meeting.
Moving ahead: Khokhar said committee members requested the new charter include:
Appointing one or two board liaisons to the committee
Integrating the committee’s work with district-wide strategic planning
Granting access to data dashboards for improved transparency and monitoring
Sugar Land residents to see water, trash rate increase in 2026
Sugar Land is upping utility rates in 2026 as operating costs increase.
The big picture: At a Sept. 16 meeting, Sugar Land City Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance to increase water, surface water, wastewater and trash rates.
Zooming in: The average household can expect to see an increase of $3.06 per month to their water utility bill, bringing the cost to $107.31, said ShaLae Steadman, director of budget for Sugar Land, at a Sept. 2 meeting.
Meanwhile, residential trash rates will see a $2.09 per month increase, bringing their average cost to $23.97.
Looking ahead: The fees will go into effect Jan. 1, Steadman said.
Houston-area veteran organizations awarded more than $7.9M in grants
More than $7.9 million of Funds for Veterans’ Assistance, or FVA, grants have been awarded to 38 organizations in the Greater Houston area, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sept. 12.
The gist: Abbott said the grants are part of the Texas Veterans Commission Grants Across Texas Tour. The grants support a wide range of services, from emergency financial assistance to transportation and home modification, according to a news release.
Quote of note: “This over $7.9 million in grants will provide crucial services and financial support for our veterans and their families in the Gulf Coast and Houston so they can lead successful lives in our great state,” Abbott said.
What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot
Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election.
The overview: The propositions, which were adopted by state lawmakers earlier this year, include measures aimed at reducing property taxes, funding water supply projects and creating a state dementia research institute.
“This is an opportunity to make your voice heard about the governing document of our state,” Secretary of State Jan Nelson said in a June 25 statement.
More details: Texans have until Oct. 6 to register to vote in the upcoming election. Early in-person voting runs from Oct. 20-31, and Election Day is Nov. 4.
The secretary of state’s office randomly selected the ballot order for the 17 state propositions. Keep reading to learn about the proposed constitutional amendments and how they would change Texas law.
20 years strong: Community Impact celebrates anniversary through state-wide company gathering
Since 2005, Community Impact has delivered trusted news and local information to communities across Texas. Privately owned by John and Jennifer Garrett of Round Rock, it now reaches 2.5 million mailboxes and 270,000 inboxes in 40 markets.
As it celebrates its 20th anniversary, Community Impact is looking back on two decades built on passion, integrity and innovation—while also focusing forward on deeper reader connections and future growth.
The framework: To recognize 20 years of success, Community Impact held a conference and celebration called The Gathering. The event united employees from across the company for two days of training, collaboration and connection.
“Our belief is that leadership from internal top performers and external experts helps us be the modern local news company we want to be,” Founder and CEO John Garrett said.
