Government
BY MELISSA ENAJE & NICHAELA SHAHEEN
Local re departments install Safe Haven boxes Tomball Fire Station No. 5 is now home to Harris County’s rst Safe Haven Baby Box, which was dedicated Sept. 2 in partnership with Tomball Fire Rescue, Harris County Emergency Services District No. 15 and community leaders. Meanwhile, local community leaders dedicated the rst Safe Haven Baby Box in Magnolia at Magnolia Fire Station No. 181 on Sept. 3. Some context Under Texas’ Safe Haven law, parents may legally surrender infants up to 60 days old at des- ignated facilities. The new baby boxes—installed in exterior walls of the re stations—lock automat- ically once a newborn is placed inside and alert sta through interior sensors, per the Safe Haven Baby Box website. Quote of note “This is more than just a piece of equipment installed in the rehouse. It is a symbol of hope, compassion, and of deep commitment to protect- ing those most vulnerable to us,” Tomball Fire Department Chief Joe Sykora said. Harris County judge won’t seek third term Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo formally announced she will not seek reelection for a third term as judge of Texas’ largest county. Hidalgo said in a Sept. 15 news release that she is keeping her promise not to serve more than two terms. “I ran for o ce as a change maker to chal- lenge the establishment and bring a fresh perspective to a Harris County government. I never ran for o ce to build an empire, which is why I am keeping my promise not to serve more than two terms,” Hidalgo said. Zooming out Hidalgo has served as county judge since 2019 and was reelected after winning the county seat during the November 2022 general election. Her current four-year term ends Dec. 31, 2026.
Montgomery County approves budget Montgomery County commissioners adopted a balanced scal year 2025-26 budget and set a property tax rate of $0.3770 per $100 valuation during a special meeting Sept. 5. As previously reported, the FY 2024-25 approved tax rate was $0.3790 per $100 of home valuation, making the FY 2025-26 tax rate a 0.53% decrease. What you need to know The adopted balanced budget totals $508.1 million with allocations including law enforcement pay parity with the city of Houston and Harris County, additional sta ng across departments and a contri- bution of nearly $5.4 million to the capital improvement plan, Budget O cer Amanda Carter said. A last-minute adjustment added $850,000 in expected revenue that had been excluded in earlier drafts. The court opted to use most of the money to lower the rate, with about $74,757 added to contingency, Carter said.
Tomball's Safe Haven Baby Box, dedicated Sept. 2, is located at Fire Station No. 5.
NICHAELA SHAHEEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
1774
BUDDY RILEY BLVD.
1488
Magnolia
249
Tomball
TELGE RD.
99
N
Magnolia OKs agreement for project involving Home Depot Magnolia City Council approved a Chapter 380 economic development agreement Sept. 9 with BCS Magnolia Place for a 28-acre project. The details Per city documents, the project will include retail, multifamily and commercial space. Part of the agreement requires BCS Magnolia to provide at least 100,000 square feet for a Home Depot. Under the agreement, the city will reimburse BCS Magnolia through sales tax revenue once the store receives a certi cate of occupancy. Payments are capped at $3.2 million or until a 10-year term, whichever comes rst. The sales tax split will give BCS Magnolia 75% of sales tax revenue in the rst ve years, and 50% in years six through 10. Per documents, the city expects the project to
1488
PROPOSED ACADEMY SPORTS
HOME DEPOT
AUTO URBAN COMMERCIAL SEMI URBAN RESIDENTIAL
N
SOURCE: CITY OF MAGNOLIA COMMUNITY IMPACT
bring new employment opportunities, increase sales and property tax revenue, and establish the area as a regional destination. Also of note The council also approved a rezoning for the tract, which changes the boundary lines to allow multifamily and commercial areas. The change allocates 11.5 acres of semi-urban residential for 300 multifamily units and 16.9 acres of auto-ur- ban commercial. The map of the area includes a proposed Academy Sports + Outdoors store.
9
TOMBALL MAGNOLIA EDITION
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