ATX-SBK: Impact 11/11/2025

San Marcos approved a one-year extension of its police and fire labor agreements Nov. 5, with base-pay raises set through Sept. 30, 2027.

Two-minute impact: The meet and confer agreements with the San Marcos Police Officers’ Association and San Marcos Professional Fire Fighters Association were extended during a Nov. 5 City Council meeting.

Some context: Meet and confer agreements are agreements between municipalities and firefighter or police unions under Chapter 142 of the Texas Local Government Code. The agreements allow for fire and police unions to meet with city staff to negotiate certain terms, such as pay, disciplinary procedures and more. According to city documents, the agreements can also modify state law to fit local needs.

What it means: The two memorandums of understanding extend the agreements to Sept. 30, 2027, and increase base pay for both departments.

Starting Oct. 1, 2026, the San Marcos Fire Department will see a 4.5% increase in base pay, while the San Marcos Police Department will see a 5% increase.

Local Automotive now offers oil changes, engine repairs, tire rotations and electrical work in Buda.

Meet the owner: Owner Brad Hullum said the shop is locally owned and operated, and that he is working to open another location in Kyle in November 2026.

• Opened Nov. 10
• 3950 FM 967, Ste. 100, Buda

Airports in Dallas and Houston are required to begin reducing flights and other operations by 4% on Nov. 7 in response to air traffic controller shortages caused by the federal government shutdown, transportation officials announced Nov. 6.

The details: The cuts will affect 40 "high impact airports" across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. The affected Texas airports include:

• Dallas Love Field (DAL)
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Gov. Greg Abbott announced his bid for a fourth gubernatorial term Nov. 9, laying out an ambitious six-pronged plan to make “out-of-control property taxes finished in Texas.”

The details: Abbott's goals include eliminating property taxes charged by public school districts, which make up the majority of an average homeowner’s property tax bill. Some conservative groups and lawmakers pushed for an end to school property taxes during recent state legislative sessions.

The governor’s plan to limit local tax increases includes:

• Limiting annual local government spending
• Requiring approval from two-thirds of local voters for all tax hikes
• Allowing local residents to petition for an election to roll back tax rates
• Requiring property appraisals to occur once every five years
• Capping appraisal increases at 3% per year, down from 10% today
• Asking voters to eliminate school property taxes