Facing a $26.6 million shortfall for fiscal year 2025-26, the Fort Bend ISD board of trustees will soon vote to increase the tax rate for one year after approving staff raises.

If passed, the shortfall will turn into a projected $7.5 million surplus, Chief Financial Officer Brian Guinn said at the June 23 board meeting, when the board approved the $901.6 million budget.

The breakdown: The FY 2025-26 tax rate is anticipated to be $1.0569 per $100 of property valuation, reflecting a 3.33% increase from the previous year, per district documents. The proposed tax rate is the first time since FY 2017-18 that the tax rate will be raised.

Taking a step back: Despite an anticipated rise in the tax rate, Guinn previously stated the average homeowner in the district is likely to see a reduction in their yearly property tax bill due to potential homestead exemption increases from $100,000 to $140,000. 

Next steps: Trustees will vote to implement at the Sept. 15 board meeting. 

Hong Kong Food Court, a new casual eatery serving authentic Hong Kong-style street food and drinks, has opened its doors in Missouri City.

The gist: Owner Johnny Cheung describes the concept as a traditional “Cha Chaan Tang,” or a Hong Kong-style tea café known for its affordability and convenience. The restaurant has a no-pressure, no-tipping approach, with self-ordering kiosks and self-serve pickup, allowing guests to enjoy their meal without the formalities of table service, he said.

Notable quote: “We hope this is the place for folks in Missouri City and Sugar Land to grab some delicious Hong Kong style street food, sip on drinks and just chill,” Cheung said in an email.

An increasing jail population, slower case processing and increasing court backlog delays are among the potential consequences Harris County judges and other judicial officials warned commissioners about Sept. 9 if several initiatives go unfunded.

The context: Harris County commissioners and department leaders are weighing how to offset at least $102 million in cuts before adopting the fiscal year 2025-26 budget on Sept. 18.

More details: Harris County Criminal Court Judge Stacy Barrow serves on the 487th district court and asked Commissioners Court to fund $2.2 million toward the associate judge program, which covers 12 staff positions and serves several court functions, judges said, including assisting with case processing, handling bond cases and covering court dockets during weekends and holiday shifts.

“Our request today is [for] Commissioners Court is to partner with us in progress to fund the felony associate judge program for an additional year in response to the shift in [the] criminal justice landscape," Barrow said.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order aimed at prohibiting hemp-derived THC products from being sold to minors, which he called “safety for kids, freedom for adults.” The order comes one week after a special legislative session ended without Abbott and state lawmakers agreeing on legislation to ban or restrict THC sales.

The details: Abbott’s order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to “immediately begin the rulemaking process” on new THC regulations, including:

• Limiting THC sales to people 21 years and older
• Requiring THC retailers to check all customers’ IDs
• Expanding testing and labeling requirements for THC products
• Raising manufacturer and retailer licensing fees to cover costs of enforcing the new rules
• Enhancing monitoring by state and local law enforcement