ATX-SBK: Impact 11/10/2025

Unofficial voting results show that voters rejected a 12-cent increase to Hays CISD property taxes at the polls on Nov. 4. District officials said this will affect the services they are able to offer.

The details: The proposed rate—$1.2746 per $100 valuation—was higher than last year’s rate but lower than 2022-23.

Some context: The district has been using its fund balance to keep programs running since 2019, in the hopes that the Texas Legislature would increase per-student allotment to match inflation; however, the current balance is about $20 million, compared to the recommended balance of $65 million.

Why it matters: An information sheet about the tax rate election stated that if it didn’t pass, “the district would need to make significant cuts in staffing and programming to create a surplus budget to rebuild the Fund Balance.”

What’s next: In an email to parents, Wright said announcements about budget cuts will come in the spring, during budget planning for the 2026-27 school year.

Local business owner, licensed massage therapist and herbalist Becky Smith celebrated a decade of providing personalized spa services in the San Marcos Historic District on Nov. 8, with a fundraising party benefiting Central Texas flood relief efforts.

What they offer: Centered around massages, other services like facials and body wraps can be added. Each member of the five-person team offers unique specialities, so Smith recommends browsing their profiles on the spa's website to find the perfect fit.

What else? Smith offers three herbal-infused oils targeting different goals that she created and makes at the studio, including:

• A hydrating option featuring calendula and shea nut oil
• A detox option featuring coffee and chickweed
• A circulatory option featuring chai spices, turmeric and tulsi—also known as holy basil

• 505 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Nov. 3-7.

1. New high-rise height limit now in effect for downtown Austin

2. Austinites reject Proposition Q tax hike

3. New Indian grocery store in the works in Pflugerville

4. Lucky Claw Mania now open in Pflugerville

5. Austin ISD to hold off on 3 school closures, delay boundary changes

6. Pflugerville mayoral race heads to runoff; Coffman wins open council seat

More than 20 months after wildfires swept through the Texas Panhandle in early 2024, burning over 1.2 million acres of land, state lawmakers questioned if Texas has the tools needed to tackle another major fire.

The context: Texas is always a fire-prone state, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association. The association’s website reports that annual wildfire risk is most severe from February-April, when dry grasses and high winds can cause fires to spread, and August-October, when high temperatures and droughts contribute to fires.

“Our purpose today is to figure out—what is our response going to look like next February and March?” Rep. Ken King, a Republican representing Canadian and other Panhandle communities, said during a Nov. 3 committee hearing. “Are we better prepared … or are we in the same position we were in 2024, when our response was lacking?”

The details: Officials said Texas owns just two firefighting aircraft, with others "essentially [subleased] through the federal government."

During peak wildfire season, this means Texas may have access to limited resources.