Magnolia City Council approved pursuing federal immigration enforcement funding and moved forward with an agreement involving Amarillo Drive during its July 14 meeting.

What happened: Council authorized the Magnolia Police Department to apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide program.

The grant program is designed to reimburse eligible state and local governments for costs related to immigration enforcement and criminal investigations, Police Chief Kyle Montgomery said. 

Funding can be used for activities such as locating and arresting individuals who are unlawfully in the country and accused of crimes, temporarily detaining individuals, overtime and transporting them for detention or prosecution, he said.

The grant does not require a local funding match. Council’s approval allows city staff to submit the application.

Also on the agenda: Council also approved an agreement related to Amarillo Drive in the Magnolia Ridge development.

Plans for the project include removing the existing pavement and base, rebuilding the roadway and installing a new asphalt surface, per agenda documents. 

Tomball City Council is set to take a look at the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget during two workshops next week.

Council members will begin discussing the budget July 20 before continuing the conversation during a special workshop July 22. 

What you need to know: The first budget workshop will begin at 4 p.m. July 20, ahead of the council’s regular meeting at 6 p.m. The second workshop is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 22, and both meetings will be held at Tomball City Hall.

Council is expected to hear from Harris County Precinct 3 officials about proposed improvements to Broussard Community Park, plans for a future community center serving the Tomball area and potential upgrades at the Zion Road and East Hufsmith Road intersection. 

Council could also approve an agreement allowing Harris County to provide up to $8 million for a community center and parking improvements at Mathews Park, along with drainage improvements at Broussard Park. 

Harris County Commissioners Adrian Garcia, Tom Ramsey and Lesley Briones will each host a community town hall to discuss county budget initiatives and get feedback on how residents would like to see public funds utilized.

What residents need to know: The upcoming meetings include:

Harris County Precinct 2
July 21, 6-7:30 p.m.
10918 Bentley Road, Houston

Harris County Precinct 3
July 20, 6-8 p.m.
6827 Cypresswood Drive, Spring

Harris County Precinct 4
July 28, 5:30-7 p.m.
3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston

Stay tuned: Commissioners received budget requests from county departments July 13-16 ahead of the July 30 and Aug. 6 Commissioners Court meetings, where commissioners will discuss the county tax rate and proposed budget.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out these trending stories across the northern portion of the Greater Houston area from July 13-17.

1. Charolais by Chef Austin Simmons opens in The Woodlands featuring customized steak boards

2. Construction to begin in late July on Valley Ranch's H-E-B-anchored Commerce District

3. Houston Airport System welcomes more than 4M passengers during FIFA World Cup

4. Five Spring-Klein area restaurants to participate in Houston Restaurant Weeks

5. Magnolia names Bob Harvey as new city administrator

6. Compassion United opens 2 transitional homes, expanding housing capacity

7. Cy-Fair Fire Department Fire Chief to perform self-evaluation