Fulshear residents will see an increase to solid waste fees this fall.

What you need to know: At a July 21 meeting, Fulshear City Council approved a contract amendment with GFL Environmental to raise solid waste collection and disposal rates by 4.85% to align with the consumer price index and gasoline consumer price index.

The consumer price index measures the average change in prices, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

By the numbers: The fee increase will raise solid waste services from $16.90 to $17.72 per month for single-family homes, according to agenda documents.

The rate includes weekly trash, recycle and bulk/brush collection.

Next steps: The fee increase goes into effect Oct. 1, with the changes being reflected on the November water bills, per agenda documents.

Katy Christian Ministries recently expanded its food pantry to keep up with growing needs in the area.

Heather Peterson, director of development and strategic partnerships for Katy Christian Ministries, said the local need for food has doubled within the last nine months and the organization’s previous food pantry could not keep up with demand.

The details: Rather than stick with a traditional food pantry, Katy Christian Ministries officials determined a grocery-store-style facility featuring a brighter and more efficient layout would better suit the community’s needs.

The 13,000-square-foot pantry—dubbed the Katy Food Center—includes a warehouse room for dry goods and increased fridge and freezer space, Peterson said. The center also has a drive-thru, currently seeing 130 to 150 cars each morning, with the goal of having 225 to 250 cars per day.

Also of note: The pantry operates four days a week from 8 a.m. to noon, but Peterson said she hopes to go to a model running from Monday through Friday until 3 p.m.

Fort Bend County has seen smaller mosquito numbers following aerial mosquito control operations.

What residents need to know: Fort Bend County Health & Human Services is reporting a 83% reduction in mosquito activity following aerial mosquito control operations that began in late June following the June 16 issuance of a Declaration of Local Public Health Emergency, officials announced in a July 22 news release.

The declaration came after the county saw mosquito activity “well above normal seasonal levels” with 1,505 mosquito-related complaints between May 1 and June 2, which is more than twice the number received following Hurricane Beryl.

By the numbers: Mosquito trap counts dropped from 109,536 before treatment to 18,711 after treatment, per the release. Additionally, of the 15 targeted treatment areas, most experienced reductions, although officials said one experienced an increase in mosquito activity.

What they’re saying: Dr. Letosha Gale-Lowe, local health authority and director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services, said the county will continue with its year-round mosquito surveillance efforts.

The June Housing Market Update from the Houston Association of Realtors reports a rise in home sales and pending activity with steady overall pricing.

By the numbers: The number of single-family homes sold increased by 3.5%, with 8,820 homes sold in June compared to last June with 8,525 sold. The average home price rose 1.2% to $455,159, while the median home price slightly decreased by just 0.3%.

Total property sales across the Houston area rose by 2.6% with 10,181 properties sold, and the number of active property listings increased 2.2%, equaling 59,970.

Also of note: The luxury market remained strong with home sales over the price of $1 million rising 17.1% year over year.

However, the townhome and condominium market showed a 9.3% fall year over year with 439 in June compared to 484 last June, data shows.

In their own words: HAR Chair Theresa Hill said the Greater Houston area is seeing a “little more breathing room” on both sides of the transaction.