The Houston Parks and Recreation Department recommended that the council approve an increase in a developer fee that has not been adjusted in nearly 20 years.

Explained: HPRD collects a fee from developers as part of the city’s open space ordinance, which provides parks, recreational amenities and open space for residential areas.

If a developer receives a permit or certificate of occupancy for a property, such as a multi-family unit, the developer must pay a fee per unit. That fee goes toward the fund, which is used partly to maintain city parks.

The fee is $700, but HPRD director Kenneth Allen said the department is looking to increase the fee to $900, which would be the first time the fee has been adjusted since the creation of the fund in 2007.

What’s changed: The proposed increase is in response to the rising appraised land values and is considered below the allowed amount under state law, which caps the fee at a maximum of $1,260.

Educators, public officials and graduates from across the state gathered in Austin on Oct. 27 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Western Governors University in Texas. The online university offers certificates, bachelor's and master's degrees, which students can complete at their own pace.

About the organization: WGU was founded in 1997 by a bipartisan group of 19 governors in Western states to provide a more affordable and flexible option for higher education. In 2011, then-Gov. Rick Perry signed an executive order making Texas an official WGU affiliate.

Since 2011, WGU in Texas has reached the following milestones:

• 38,691 total graduates

• 45,545 degrees earned

• 24,087 students currently enrolled

Quote of note: "It was definitely one of those options that was super flexible, so that kind of fit my current schedule, especially since I work full-time," 2026 WGU graduate Jacob Gomez said. "It was super convenient for me."

On Oct. 28, the Lone Star College System formally signed a Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement (GTPA) with five higher education institutions.

The framework: The partnership includes Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, Texas Tech University and the University of Houston-Downtown.

The program is part of Lone Star College's 2025–2030 strategic plan to create pathways for students to get gainful employment and transfer opportunities. The GTPA will create 50 different guaranteed transfer pathways to degrees. Under this program:

• Students will know which credits transfer toward their degrees from the start for up to six years.

• Continuously enrolled students do not lose ground if course requirements change.

• High school students taking dual credit courses can apply those credits toward a bachelor's degree at a partnered university.

What they are saying: University of Houston-Downtown interim president Deborah Bordelon noted the agreement is about accountability and holding each other to higher standards.

According to unofficial results from the Harris County Clerk’s Office, 1.08 million voters participated in early voting for the general election.

Zooming in: This turnout surpasses the early voting numbers for the 2018 and 2022 midterm elections. The county has more than 2.7 million registered voters and experienced record turnout on its first day of the 12-day early voting period.

Also of note: The election will determine officeholders in federal, state and local races. Election Day on Nov. 3 is the last opportunity for voters to cast a ballot, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at more than 600 locations across Greater Houston.

Local races on the Harris County ballot include county judge, attorney, district clerk, clerk, treasurer and County Department of Education Places 5 and 7.

Texans' last chance to vote in this year's midterm election is Nov. 3. Polling places across the state will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day, according to the secretary of state's office.

What to expect: Dozens of races will appear on the ballot, from U.S. Senate and governor to local officials and propositions.

If a voter runs into an issue at the polls that cannot be immediately resolved, such as a lack of photo ID or an administrative error, they have the right to cast a provisional ballot, per state law. Some voters may be required to return to the local voter registrar's office by Nov. 9—six days after Election Day—to resolve the issue after voting.

Stay informed: Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to read Q&As with hundreds of candidates, find coverage of local propositions and print a custom sample ballot to bring to the polls.

After polls close at 7 p.m. Nov. 3, election results will be posted on the same webpage.