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West University Place officials' proposed $26.7M budget prioritizes public safety, service enhancements
West University Place officials are heading into the final preparation stages leading up to when City Council will vote on the proposed budget and tax rates for the 2026 fiscal year on Sept. 22—a projected $26.7 million in revenues and expenses, an increase from last fiscal year's roughly $26.2 million budget.
The big picture: The FY 2026 proposed budget plans continue the city’s funding efforts from last fiscal year aimed at keeping a close eye on competitive law enforcement pay. Draft budget documents show $7.3 million allocated to the police department, a $1.2 million increase from projected FY 2025 numbers. City Manager Dave Beach said based on council’s direction, they will be restructuring law enforcement command staff pay grades and could hire additional police officers, possibly filling in the new officer positions by mid-year of 2026.
Going forward: The city will hold public hearings for both the proposed FY 2026 budget and tax rates at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the city’s municipal building located at 3800 University Blvd.
Bellaire residents raise $25K to build butterfly-themed memorial for Texas flood victim
In honor of 8-year-old Blakely McCrory, who lost her life in the Texas Hill Country floods this past summer, Bellaire residents raised $25,600 to build a butterfly-themed exhibit and play feature at Joe Gaither Park.
The details: According to the city of Bellaire, the play area will be a joyful space that reflects McCrory’s vibrant spirit.
“I’m so touched by friends and the city of Bellaire who are raising money to place a Butterfly Climber in Blakely’s name at Joe Gaither Park,” Lindsey McCrory, Blakely’s mother, posted on Facebook.
See all the candidates running for Texas' 18th Congressional District
This November, a special election will be held to fill the vacant Texas 18th Congressional District seat after incumbent Sylvester Turner, who also previously served as Houston mayor, died March 4.
Lina Hidalgo talks childhood education, reelection announcement in State of the County address
In her 2025 State of the County keynote address, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo emphasized the importance of funding early childhood education initiatives in the county, just shy of one month after her proposal to let voters decide on a 1-cent property tax increase failed to pass at an August commissioners court meeting.
Quote of note: “We have to be fearless in building what the community deserves,” Hidalgo said at the Sept. 5 event at the Marriott Marquis in Downtown Houston. “And I beg you that if we fight for early childhood education, I think the community would like that.”
The overview: The State of the County address is an annual event hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership. Keynote speakers discuss economic initiatives and opportunities for constituents and business leaders in the Greater Houston area.
GHP President Steve Kean asked Hidalgo directly about her reelection status. Hidalgo said that while she was not going to break news about her reelection at the event, she will be making an announcement “very, very soon.”
‘This will save lives’: New Texas laws require summer camps to remove cabins from floodplains
Two months after 25 campers and two counselors died in the historic July 4 flooding at Camp Mystic, Gov. Greg Abbott signed three new laws Sept. 5 that he said will “make youth camps safer” and ensure Texas communities are better prepared for future disasters. The flood victims' families attended the Sept. 5 bill signing ceremony in Austin.
The details: Under the two-pronged camp safety package, summer camps are required to remove existing cabins from floodplains by Jan. 1.
Camps must also develop and annually update comprehensive emergency plans, set up warning systems to notify campers if something is wrong and install ladders so campers can climb on cabin roofs during floods.
Looking ahead: Two other disaster preparedness bills, as well as legislation designed to regulate Texas’ multibillion-dollar THC industry, did not pass during the recent special legislative session, which ended around 1 a.m. Sept. 4.
When asked Sept. 5 if he planned to call a third legislative overtime to continue work on those policies, Abbott told reporters to "stay tuned."
