The city of McKinney has opened a public survey seeking input from citizens on next fiscal year's budget.

In a nutshell: Planning is underway for the fiscal year 2026-27 budget which will run from Oct. 1-Sept. 30, 2027. The survey launched April 21, the same day citizens were offered a chance to offer comment in person at a McKinney City Council meeting.

“This is our first annual opportunity to hear directly from the community on our budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year,” Chief Financial Officer Mark Holloway said.

Looking ahead: McKinney council members are expected to discuss next year’s budget in August and consider approval in September, according to Holloway’s presentation. Key dates include:

• Aug. 4: tax rate record vote (action will set the tax rate ceiling)
• Aug. 7: McKinney City Council FY 2026-27 budget work session
• Aug. 18: public input meeting on the budget
• Sept. 1: adoption of FY 2026-27 budget and tax rate

A new restaurant called The Lion and Crown Pub is now open in McKinney, co-owner Sandra Vazquez said.

The Lion and Crown is an English-style pub that serves a variety of foods and hosts live music events, according to its website. The restaurant’s menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts and more. Lion and Crown also serves beer on tap and cocktails.

• 7951 Collin McKinney Parkway, Ste. 1600, McKinney

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Some Texas families began learning April 22 if they were accepted to the state’s education savings account program for the 2026-27 school year, officials said.

The big picture: Over 42,600 students will receive funding notices through April 24, the state comptroller’s office announced April 22. The first awardees include low- and middle-income students with disabilities and their eligible siblings.

Families accepted to the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program will receive state funds to send their children to private school or homeschool them.

The details: The first round of awardees is set to receive about $400 million of the $1 billion allocated for the program. Up to 100,000 students are expected to qualify for the program's first year.

The comptroller's office will run a lottery the week of April 27 to determine which low-income students will be accepted based on a prioritization system.

Stay tuned: Families that do not qualify for funding will also be notified through April 24. Additional students will receive funding awards in the coming weeks, a program spokesperson said.