Katy - South Fulshear Edition | July 2023

The e-edition is an exact replica of the newspaper with interactive and searchable articles from all your favorite sections.

KATY SOUTH FULSHEAR EDITION

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 10 JULY 28AUG. 24, 2023

HOME EDITION 2023 pricing out Many residences in the Katy area continue to experience spikes in property values caused by pandemic-era pressures on the housing market.

Popular breakfast spot coming to Fulshear HOME EDITION 2023 SPONSORED BY • First Service Credit Union

TAX CHANGES FROM 202023

Taxable value: +28.9% Tax bill*: +$1,531

Taxable value: +57.5% Tax bill*: +$3,251

Taxable value: +29.3% Tax bill*: +$1,706

Katy leaders tackle aordable housing

Signicant additions to annual tax bills came to several residences in the Katy and Fulshear area, including properties protected by homestead exemptions limited to 10% increases in taxable value year over year.

ASIA ARMOURCOMMUNITY IMPACT

*ESTIMATED BASED ON ADDED TAXABLE VALUE AND 2023 LOCAL TAX RATES

Katy-area counties see unprecedented property value spikes

Home decor business becomes Fulshear staple

Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries

BY ASIA ARMOUR, JAKE MAGEE & DANIEL WEEKS

Residential property values in Har- ris and Fort Bend counties have seen dramatic hikes since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. When describing the state of Harris County’s prop- erty appraisals for this year, Roland Altinger, chief appraiser for the Harris Central Appraisal District, used one word: “unbelievable.” In a video released earlier this

year addressing residents about the state of the local real estate market, Altinger said 96% of all single-family homes in the county saw appraisal increases since 2022 and that they averaged 17%. These increases come on the heels of last year’s unprec- edented numbers where 97% of residences saw increases from the CONTINUED ON 24

Appraised property values are continuing to skyrocket across the Greater Houston area due to pan- demic-era economic conditions, putting many residents in a bind. State lawmakers came to a potential deal mid-July to address the result- ing high taxes.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHTS FOR BACKYARD GET-TOGETHERS FOR HOME-COOKED MEALS

FOR YOU, NOT PROFIT

At First Service, your goals are our goals, and we want to help you make them a reality. From youth accounts to home loans, we're here to personally support you every step of the way. That's what it means to be for you, not profit .

Learn how to make your goals a reality at FSCU.com

Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS #411394

KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • JULY 2023

Stunning homes. A charming community. The best of both worlds.

Welcome to Pecan Ridge, a new home community tucked away off of FM 359 in Fulshear, Texas. Find the perfect combination of a small-town community that offers big resident-exclusive amenities like a recreation center featuring a sparkling pool, two-story water slide, picnic area, fitness center, fishing boardwalk, a fun-filled playground with a splashpad and miles of neighborhood walking paths.

Tour six beautiful, new model homes open daily by two of Houston’s premier homebuilders, Toll Brothers and Tri Pointe Homes. Choose from an exciting collection of home designs priced from the mid $300s on 45’, 50’ and 60’ homesites.

Your new home is waiting for you. Scan the QR code to learn more about Pecan Ridge.

New Homes From The Mid $300s | 1,884 - 3,735 Sq. Ft. | 3 - 6 Beds | 2 - 5 Baths | 2- to 3-Bay Garage

The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions, square footage and acreage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of any home’s or homesite’s precise or actual size, location or orientation. There is no guarantee that any particular homesite or home will be available. A Broker/Agent must register their client in person on client’s first visit at each community for a Broker/Agent to receive a commission or referral fee, if available. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Photographs or renderings of people do not depict or indicate any preference regarding race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national origin. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc., Toll Brothers Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. © 2023 Tri Pointe Homes Texas, Inc. © 2023 Toll Brothers Inc. All rights reserved.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

THIS ISSUE

ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH

FROM DANIEL: Hi, readers! Our July issue is the Home Edition—which is full of the same useful, hyperlocal content you’ve come to expect from Community Impact —but this time with a larger focus on residential properties. Some of the content you’ll nd in this paper includes a conversation with a local business on how to best design and stage a home for sale and a breakdown of the latest real estate market trends. Additionally, this edition includes a deep dive into how rising property values are aecting locals and how state legislation may drastically change your property taxes. The story features comments and polling from community members. If you want your voice heard in future, be sure to subscribe to our daily newsletter to stay up to date on how we’re directly engaging with our readers. As always, feel free to reach out to me at dweeks@communityimpact.com if you have any tips or suggestions on our coverage. Thank you for being a reader! Daniel Weeks, EDITOR

MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Amy Martinez EDITOR Daniel Weeks REPORTER Asia Armour

GRAPHIC DESIGNER La’Toya Smith ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tracy Drewa METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper MANAGING EDITOR Kelly Schaer COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Kaitlin Schmidt CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 2814696181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES ktfnews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING ktfads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

Every LOCAL business has a STORY to tell. to your marketing mix. Add

communityimpact.com

@impactnewshtxmetro

@impactnews_kty

linkedin.com/company/communityimpact

@communityimpacthouston

We've teamed up to bring you more of the stories you care about.

Past advertisers include:

Proudly printed by

*Storytelling is created by CI Marketing Advisors & Multi-Platform Journalists; it is labeled as “sponsored” content, appearing dierent & separate from CI editorial coverage.

$200 OFF ANY NEW GARAGE DOOR Only one per customer cannot be combined with any other coupon

50% OFF GARAGE DOOR TUNE UP ($75 VALUE) Only one per customer cannot be combined with any other coupon

281-747-6664 • WWW.GARAGEDOORDOCTOR.BIZ GARAGE DOOR REPAIR OR REPLACE

KATY SOUTH FULSHEAR EDITION • JULY 2023

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

CLAY RD.

PLANTATION CREST DR.

MORTON RANCH RD.

COLETO CREEK BEND DR.

KATY FORT BEND RD.

99 TOLL

FRANZ RD.

EAST AVE.

E. THIRD ST.

Black Rock Coffee Bar

CANE ISLAND PKWY.

2ND ST.

1ST ST.

COURTESY BLACK ROCK COFFEE BAR

HIGHWAY BLVD.

KATY FWY.

682-3442 5 Puma , a leading sports brand for athletic and casual footwear, apparel and accessories, opened a new store in Katy Mills Mall in mid May. The business is located at 5000 Katy Mills Circle, Katy, near Ross Dress For Less. The brand has been in operation for over 75 years and has long partnered with athletes and taste- makers for promotion of its new designs. 281-644-5000. www.us.puma.com 6 Rakkan Ramen , a Tokyo-based eatery serving authentic Japanese cuisine, held a grand opening June 24. The new store is located at 1321 N. Westgreen Blvd., Katy. The restaurant focuses on the umami flavor profile—which is one of the five basic tastes along with sweet, sour, bitter and salty. On the menu are noodle soups built with vegetable broth, grilled pork and seasoned egg, with vegan options and protein substitutions also available. www.rakkanramen.com 7 Salad and Go , a quick-service restau- rant, opened a new Katy store located at 24907 Westheimer Parkway and opened June 10. A Rosenberg location also recently opened at 7211 Read- ing Rd. Salad and Go’s menu features salads, wraps, breakfast burritos, soups, lemonades, teas and cold-brew coffees.

KATY MILLS CIR.

K I N G

N D B

12 5 14

PIN OAK RD.

HIGHLAND KNOLLS DR.

1463

GEORGE BUSH PARK

S N E R

1463

FULSHEAR BEND DR.

F R Y R D .

90A

1093

MAP NOT TO SCALE

723

NOW OPEN 1 Black Rock Coffee Bar opened a Katy location at the intersection of Clay and Peek roads July 7. The coffee shop is known for its roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful energy drinks, per a July 5 news release. The opening of the newest shop at 22911 Clay Road, Katy, will bring the total Houston area count of the Oregon-founded coffee chain to 13 stores. 214-463-2721. www.br.coffee

2 Fast-casual seafood restaurant Captain D’s opened a new location in Katy at 5902 N. Fry Road on July 10. Cap- tain D’s serves grilled shrimp, tilapia and salmon; hushpuppies; cheesecake; and Southern-style sweet tea. 346-552-7863. www.captainds.com 3 A new comprehensive wellness and nutrition center opened in early June inside the H-E-B located at 6711 S. Fry Road, just west of the Grand Parkway. H-E-B Wellness Primary Care Clinic is a full-service primary care facility for those age 12 and older, and offers physical ther-

apy, health and nutrition coaching, clinical pharmacists, specialty referrals, and labs. 855-803-9355. www.heb.com/wellness 4 Pan Pa Venezuela , a bakery serv- ing artisanal breads, opened its doors in Katy on June 17. Located at 5617 Second St., Pan Pa Venezuela serves both sweet and savory options—including Nutella, pineapple, guava and cheese as just a few of the ingredients that could be mixed into the fresh-baked breads. The bakery’s menu also includes a focaccia pizza that takes two days to craft, topped with tomatoes, olive oil, peppers and various herbs. 281-

www.saladandgo.com COMING SOON

8 Bubba’s 33 , a casual sports bar and restaurant in the Texas Roadhouse family, has plans to open a new restaurant in Katy in April. The restaurant will be located along the Grand Parkway and Morton Ranch Road, and is the first Bubba’s 33 in

With on-site x-rays, skilled providers, and orthopedic physicians on call, we can quickly determine if you have fracture, sprain or strain.

WHETHER YOU’RE ACHEY OR BREAKY.

Scan for the nearest location. Open 9am – 9pm, 7 days a week nextlevelurgentcare.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMPILED BY ASIA ARMOUR

Pan Pa Venezuela

First Watch

COURTESY PAN PA VENEZUELA

COURTESY FIRST WATCH

the Houston area. According to the eat- ery’s website, food is made from scratch daily—including the sauce for its wings and the dressing for its salads. Its menu also features pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, Tex-Mex appetizers and entrees, and other classic American fare. www.bubbas33.com 9 German-based craft coffee chain Coffee Fellows is branching into the U.S. market for the first time in its 24-year his- tory with the announcement of its flagship store in Houston and three other locations in the region, including the Katy location at 3329 W. Grand Parkway N., Ste. 700. Estimated opening dates for the three Greater Houston-area locations will be in the late summer or early fall, the news re- lease states. Guests to the European cof- fee house can expect handcrafted coffees, teas, bowls, salads, bagel sandwiches and pastries. www.coffee-fellows.com 10 A new location of Fallbrook Church is slated to open Oct. 1 with services held at Cy-Fair ISD’s Anthony Middle School, 10215 Greenhouse Road, Cypress. Sunday morn- ing worship services will take place at 10 a.m. with child care provided. Fallbrook Cy- press-Katy will also offer worship services and events for children, youth and stu- dents; weekly small-group Bible studies; and community support. 281-444-2733. www.fallbrookchurch.org 11 First Watch , a breakfast and brunch cafe that serves seasonal dishes, has plans to open a Fulshear-area restaurant in January. The new First Watch is located at 27120 Fulshear Bend Drive, Ste. 100, Katy, near Maple Street Biscuit Co. and Cross Creek Ranch. This restaurant opening will be the third with a Katy address. First Watch’s summer brunch options include a strawberry tres leches French toast dish

and the watermelon wake-up from the cafe’s juice bar. www.firstwatch.com 12 French Quarter , a fine dining restaurant with Cajun soul food, will come to Katy at the Boardwalk Crossing retail center by the end of 2023, officials said. The first Houston-area iteration of the restaurant will be located at 25220 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, near Katy Mills mall. The Dallas-based eatery hosts live music and jazz band performances on select nights. Items on the menu include stuffed salmon and shrimp topped with a Tuscan cream sauce; chicken, sausage and shrimp gumbo; ribeye steak; and beignets. www.frenchquarterrichardson.com 13 A Munich-style beer garden will be- gin brewing at a redeveloped Katy land- mark by the end of the year, officials said. The Katy Beer Garden will open on the grounds of community-centric develop- ment The Dryer in November or Decem- ber. Located at 5345 E. Third St., Katy, the beer garden will offer 90-100 taps, as well as selections of wine, cider, cocktails and bar bites. Food trucks will also be on-site. The entire space is approximately 25,000 square feet, with an indoor bar and cigar lounge, an outdoor patio and an upstairs deck. www.katybeergarden.us 14 Global beauty retailer Sephora will come to Katy Mills this fall. The cosmetics brand will occupy a 5,340-square-foot space at 5000 Katy Mills Circle, near The Cheesecake Factory. Sephora carries a vari- ety of beauty products, such as fragrance, makeup, skin care, hair treatments and styling tools. www.sephora.com 15 Tree Town , a preschool for kids ages 2-5, has plans to open this fall. The child care center will be located at 2101

The new dining concept has the capacity for 14 restaurants, officials said.

RENDERING COURTESY AMA KITCHEN

FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN AMA Kitchen , a dining hall at Katy Asian Town, held a soft opening at 23119 Colonial Parkway, Ste. A1, Katy on June 9. The dining hall has the capacity for 14 restaurants, with three currently occupying kitchens at the culinary destination. Ocials with the dining hall are seeking restaurants to ll the remaining spaces. Thai Street Eatery is a native restaurant to Oregon and puts a Northern Thai twist on classic Thai food. Specialty dishes include the crispy chicken basil entree and the red curry Kang Dang dish, which is composed of dried red chili, fresh lemongrass, protein of choice, fresh vegetables and steamed rice. Bow King is a Vietnamese eatery that promotes health-conscious homestyle N. Mason Road, Ste. B, Katy, and also offers before- and after-school programs for elementary school-aged children up to sixth grade. Co-owner Sofia Castro Kennedy said all lessons are based on real-world scenarios, such as learning the value of money. 281-789-3013. www.thekidzcapital.org 16 Urban Bird Hot Chicken , a fast ca- sual eatery, will open a second Katy store

meals. Its signature dish is the King Bowl, a rice bowl topped with grilled pork and garnished with sesame seeds, scallion oil and a fried egg. At Mr. Sun, spicy seafood, sashimi and teppanyaki dishes are specialties. AMA Kitchen recommends hibachi steak and shrimp, tuna sushi, and spicy crab salad as three entrees to try at this authentic

Japanese eatery. 346-998-8000 www.amakitchenus.com

K W Y .

in October, officials said. Located at 3011 W. Grand Parkway N., Ste. 800, Katy, near Morton Road, the restaurant sells the Nashville-style spicy chicken with various dipping sauces. Diners can pick their heat level, which ranges from no heat to “fire in the hole.” 346-200-8295. www.urbanbirdhotchicken.com

YOURE TRUSTED ADVOCATES With over 20 neighborhood offices, Gary Greene has listed and sold more homes than any other brokerage in the greater Houston area, year after year. While we are proud of our track record, at Gary Greene, our passion is making a positive difference in the lives of the people we touch, one home at a time. You can count on us to be your trusted partner for life. Give us a call today, we are ready to work for you.

Mary Kiesewetter REALTOR ® 713.725.0108 maryk@garygreene.com

Linda Leiby REALTOR ®

281.610.8644 Linda.Leiby@GaryGreene.com

©2022 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens ® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated.

KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • JULY 2023

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Katy to spend $1.13M on disaster mitigation The Texas General Land Office

COMPILED BY ASIA ARMOUR

UPCOMING PROJECTS

are not only helping those in need, but also supporting our communities as they grow.” The specifics The Danover Road project in Katy will improve water and sewer conditions for residents in the area by replacing existing water pipelines with new, higher-capacity water lines. The project will also rehabilitate and replace sanitary sewer collection pipes and manholes. The work will take place along multiple Katy streets, according to a Texas GLO document summarizing each project, including: • Danover Road • Roberts Road • Barley Street • North Street • Armstrong Lane A closer look The U.S. Department of Housing

PREPARING FOR STORMS

approved a $1.13 million mitigation project aimed at improving water sup- ply and fire protection in areas on and near Danover Road, funded through its regional mitigation program. In a nutshell Per a June 20 news release, GLO Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the approval of 19 regional mitigation projects worth more than $128 million across several counties— including Fort Bend, Waller, Brazoria and Galveston. These projects will improve street, water and drainage facilities to reduce risks related to hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions, flooding, wind, and other hazards.

SPRING GREEN BLVD.

Disaster mitigation funds will be spent on rehabilitation projects along multiple Katy streets.

I L

Traffic signal on Spring Green, Pine Mill Ranch Fort Bend County commissioners approved the installation of a full traf- fic signal at the intersection of Spring Green Boulevard and Pine Mill Ranch Drive in Katy at a June 13 meeting. Assistant County Traffic Engineer Chris Debaillon said related work includes relocating the left-turn lanes on the north and southbound approaches to improve sight distance and safety. Timeline: complete by summer 2024 Cost: $450,000 Funding source: County Assistance District 1

$128M total

19 regional projects

$1.13M for Katy area projects

SOURCE: CITY OF KATY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

used for activities that benefit low- to moderate-income persons, according to the news release. HUD, which originally distrib-

“Locally led prioritization of miti- gation projects is important because it strengthens critical infrastructure and protects communities against the impacts of natural disasters,” Buck- ingham said in the June 20 statement. “At the Texas General Land Office, we New sidewalks at Katy City Park to increase its accessibility The city of Katy is and Urban Development requires that at least 50% of total funds must be uted the funds to the GLO, defines mitigation as activities that increase resilience to disasters and reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship by reducing impact.

MORTON RD.

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JULY 18. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT KTFNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. Morton Road widening Katy officials plan to widen Morton Road from two to four lanes between Katy Hockley and Pitts roads. Timeline: 2025-TBD Cost: $7.6 million Funding source: Katy Development Authority

of the October 2022 Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan: to upgrade playgrounds and bring consistency to city park sites, Browne said. The amenities would improve on-site acces- sibility for persons with physical disabilities, seniors and people with strollers, he said.

reduce maintenance issues at the park’s amenities, Parks Director Kevin Browne said. Browne could not identify a timeline or start date for the $12,333 project

adding 1,400 square feet of concrete sidewalks to Katy City Park, connecting its parking lot to the fitness court, restrooms and basketball pavilion as well as its existing sidewalks. Located at 5850 Franz Road, Katy, the additional 5-foot-wide sidewalks will increase accessibility and

GARDENIA LN.

KATY CITY PARK

FRANZ RD.

by press time. The backstory

The sidewalk installation addresses one of the goals

BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME? If you’re searching for a Real Estate Agent with a proven track record, look no further!

SCAN FOR

SCAN FOR AUTOMATED HOME VALUE

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL VIDEOS

Direct/Text: 713-851-4871 Charlie@CharlieRussoRealty.com www.CharlieRussoRealty.com

CHARLIE RUSSO BROKER ASSOCIATE

1411 Avenue A, Katy, TX 77493

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

TODO LIST

July & August events

COMPILED BY ASIA ARMOUR

JULY 27

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY KATY VIBES

AUG. 05

MINE FOR GEMS KATY ROCK SHOP

Experience salsa, merengue and bachata dancing through Katy Vibes for Latin Dance Night. The event includes food, live music, drinks and dance lessons. 7-10 p.m. Free. Katy Vibes, 24757 Katy Freeway, Katy. 832-437-2807. www.katyvibes.com (Courtesy Katy Vibes)

Dig for treasure at Katy Rock Shop’s mining event. Bags of ore are available for purchase, and miners will sieve through the sludge to collect gems. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $10-$15. Katy Rock Shop, 535 Pin Oak Road, Katy. 832-437-4733. www.katyrockshop.com (Courtesy Katy Rock Shop)

The festival will be located in LaCenterra on July 29. (Courtesy Houston Family Magazine) FEATURED EVENT HAVE SOME FAMILY FUN Houston Family Magazine will host a festival July 29 with activities for the whole family. Music, games, face painting and giveaways are just some of the entertainment options at this event. A Facebook RSVP and a like for the Houston Family Magazine page will enter attendees into a sweepstakes to win a weekend at Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, a prize valued at $1,000. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. LaCenterra, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy 713-266-1885 www.houstonfamilymagazine.com

JULY 29 SHOP CHRISTMAS IN JULY Get a head start on holiday shopping at this upscale indoor market. Explore handmade jewelry; art; women’s and children’s clothing; home, holiday and garden decor; and gourmet food. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 entry. Leonard E. Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy. www.facebook.com/ FunkyJunqueSugarland AUGUST 01 LEARN CALLIGRAPHY Junrui Garcia, a Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist, will speak to the importance of handwriting in the digital age at a calligraphy workshop for kids in fourth through eighth grade. This includes learning the cultural value of handwriting and how students can turn their daily writing into art. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy. 281-395-1311. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us 03 LEARN A DANCE ROUTINE Little dancers ages 4-11 may join Cinco Ranch High School’s award-winning Cougar Stars dance team for a one-day clinic that concludes with a performance

course on the basic elements of the Microsoft Word application, library sta will teach attendees how to use the software to create letters, resumes, forms and other types of documents. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy. 281-395-1311. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us 19 PARTY LIKE IT’S 1989 Don’t forget the mullets and leather jackets to travel back to the ‘80s and moonwalk across the dance oor. The venue will host Mr. Wonderful, a Houston-based cover band that plays anthemic new wave, synth-pop and emo jams. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. The Wildcatter Saloon, 26913 Katy Freeway, Katy. 281-392-2337. www.wildcattersaloon.com 29 TRY 3D PRINTING Cinco Ranch Library sta will show attendees how to make 3D designs using the library’s 3D printer. Sta will distribute information about free websites that have 3D les and guide users to create their own. Attendees are encouraged to create an account with Tinkercad prior to the class. 2-3 p.m. Free. Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy. 281-395-1311. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us

on the football eld in front of parents, friends and fans. Lunch and a T-shirt are provided to the young performers. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $100. Cinco Ranch High School, 23440 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy. www.katyisd.org 06 GET FED ON FAITH Sing the chef’s praises at this Gospel Brunch event. Gospel artists will play over the speakers while diners enjoy a menu of entrees like shrimp and grits, steak and eggs, omelet platters, and sweet cream brioche French toast. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 25551 Park Place at the Boardwalk Steakhouse and Grille, Kingsland Blvd., Ste. C102, Katy. 832-344-3507. www.parkplacekaty.com 11 JOIN THE CONVERSATION The Cinco Ranch Branch Library will host individuals of all nationalities looking for a place to practice conversational English skills. The ESL Conversation Circle is an opportunity for non-English speakers to gather in a relaxed setting and discuss topics of interest. 2-3 p.m. Free. Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd., Katy. 281-395-1311. www.fortbend.lib.tx.us 15 BRUSH UP ON MS WORD For those in need of a refresher

COMMERCIAL CENTER BLVD.

Find more or submit Katy events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.

Now accepting applications for fall enrollment!

IN MAILBOXES THIS AUGUST EDUCATION EDITION

777 S. Fry Road Katy, TX 77450 therapy, and audiological services are offered with enrollment as part of our student's daily schedules. Davies Institute for Speech and Hearing offers an early intervention program for children ages 12 months through 5 years old. Speech therapy, occupational

info@daviesinstitute.com www.daviesinstitute.com

LOCAL BUSINESSES: CONTACT US FOR ADVERTISING

@daviesinstitute 281.717.4884 Davies Institute for Speech and Hearing

�866� 989�6808 � COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM�ADVERTISE PRINT DIGITAL DIRECT MAIL

KATY SOUTH FULSHEAR EDITION • JULY 2023

NEWS BRIEFS

INVESTING IN HARRIS COUNTY’S HEALTH A total of $2.9 billion worth of projects have been proposed for the Harris Health System, $2.5 billion of which may be covered by an upcoming bond. Proposed projects include:

$1.6 billion toward the creation of the new LBJ Hospital $500 million toward improvements at existing community clinics and the opening of three new community clinics in underserved parts of the county $400 million toward improvements at the existing LBJ Hospital $400 million toward improvements at Ben Taub Hospital

“THE FOOD AT THE DELANEY AT PARKWAY LAKES JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER. I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERY MEAL, EVERY DAY.” – Paul S., Resident

SOURCE: HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Harris Health System pitches $2.5B bond Harris county Officials with the Harris Health System pitched a $2.5 billion bond proposal to Harris County commissioners at a June 6 meeting. The need: Porsa said the hospitals are nearing their end of useful life if improvements aren’t made. BY SHAWN ARRAJJ

The takeaway: If approved, the tax rate for the HHS would increase by an estimated 2 cents over the course of the bond. Over that time, the owner of a $300,000 house in Harris County would see property taxes increase by less than $6 per month. Next steps: Commissioners could call a bond election in August, which would come before voters in November. additional health care professionals, purchase necessary medical equip- ment and supplies, and expand its outreach efforts to individuals with the most need. “[This] will enhance the clinic’s ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to its patients,” Nguyen said in an email. “It will help ensure that individuals who rely on the Rosenberg clinic’s services receive high-quality health care regardless of their ability to pay, fostering a more equitable and inclusive health care system in the community.” Zooming out: San Jose Clinic plans to open a pharmacy in Rosenberg by the end of summer at 117 Lane Drive in the Quadrangle Square, Nguyen previously told Community Impact .

Restaurant-style dining with chef- prepared meals is just one of the many enticing perks residents benefit from at our community located just outside of Houston. Our Preferred Choice Dining TM program offers residents the freedom and flexibility to dine any way they wish, at any time. Residents like Paul like to start their day off with a nutritious and flavorful breakfast, followed by a wide variety of wellness activities and quality time spent with friends.

The background: HHS owns and operates Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital and Ben Taub Hospital; it also operates 17 community-based clinics, a dental center, a chronic dialysis center and three outpatient specialty clinics. The big picture: HHS President and CEO Dr. Esmaeil Porsa said under the proposed bond, a new 390-bed LBJ Hospital would open with the capacity to expand to 450 beds as needed.

Nonprofit local clinic to expand care access

JOIN US FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT! MYRA SMITH BOOK SIGNING Thursday, August 17 | 11:30 am | 21700 Bellaire Boulevard

BY ASIA ARMOUR

San Jose Clinic, a nonprofit health care provider, plans to expand its efforts in providing critical health care services to the underserved and uninsured populations in the commu- nity with a $100,000 donation toward its endowment, officials said. The full story: The organization, which has operated for more than 100 years, has clinics in Midtown Houston and Rosenberg as of 2020. The donation was gifted to San Jose Clinic by the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, per a May 25 news release. Huy Nguyen, marketing and public relations coordinator for San Jose Clinic, said the endowment dona- tion will enable the clinic to hire

Join us for a heartwarming presentation by fellow Texan Myra F. Smith on her book, Soul Food for the Sandwich Generation: Meditation Morsels for Caregivers . Limited seating. RSVP to reserve your spot! (832) 225-4590 TheDelaneyatParkwayLakesLIFE@TheDelaneyatParkwayLakes.com

21700 Bellaire Boulevard Richmond, TX 77407 AL Facility ID# 106971

(832) 225-4590 | TheDelaneyatParkwayLakes.com TheDelaneyatParkwayLakesLIFE@TheDelaneyatParkwayLakes.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

AT THE CAPITOL

News from the 88th legislative session

NUMBER TO KNOW have set aside in a 1,030-page budget, which will fund a variety of state programs for fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. $321B That’s how much Texas lawmakers UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS

Paxton impeachment trial to begin Sept. 5 in Senate After two days of discussions behind closed doors, the Texas Senate set a Sept. 5 start date for the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton and adopted rules governing the proceedings. BY HANNAH NORTON FEB. 10 Paxton enters into a $3.3 million settlement agreement with four former employees who said they were wrongfully fired in 2020. A TIMELINE OF THE IMPEACHMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON

The 31 state senators will serve as jurors, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will preside over the court, similar to a judge. Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, the attorney gener- al’s wife, must be present for the trial, but is not allowed to participate or vote, according to a resolution adopted in a 25-3 vote June 21. The attorney general is accused of bribery, conspiracy, retaliation against former employees and more. The Texas House adopted 20 articles of impeachment against him with a 121-23 vote May 27. Paxton was suspended without pay following the House vote. The Senate will decide whether he will be reinstated or permanently removed from office. Former Secretary of State John Scott is serving as interim attorney general in the meantime. Paxton can plead guilty or not guilty to 16 articles of impeachment during the trial. A two-thirds vote is needed to convict him of any charges. Houston attorneys Tony Buzbee and Dan Cogdell will defend the attorney general during the trial. Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin, who are also based in Houston, will prosecute Paxton on behalf of the House.

MARCH 8-20 House General Investigating Committee opens an investigation into Paxton and the proposed settlement. MAY 24 Attorneys present material from the investigation during a four-hour committee hearing. FEB. 21 Paxton asks the Texas Legislature to fund his settlement with taxpayer money. MAY 25 The committee unanimously adopts 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. The articles and a full transcript of the hearing are shared with House lawmakers. MAY 31 Gov. Greg Abbott appoints former Secretary of State John Scott to serve as interim attorney general. MAY 27 After four hours of debate, Texas House votes 121-23 to impeach Paxton. He is immediately suspended from office. SEPT. 5 The impeachment trial is scheduled to begin in the Texas Senate. State senators will serve as jurors and determine if Paxton is guilty of 16 individual charges. JUNE 21 After two days of deliberations, the Texas Senate adopts 31 rules governing the impeachment trial.

REP. MIKE SCHOFIELD Katy Republican Elected: 2020

House Bill 294 Mike Schofield, R-Katy, filed HB 294 early in the 88th legislative session. The bill aims to separate federal elections from state and local elections on ballots, changing procedures to “reduce voter disruption and confusion to the greatest extent possible.” The bill was referred to the elections committee in late February where it stayed until the session ended. The bill was refiled in the summer special sessions, seeing no movement as of press time.

SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Leg Pain Keeping You from Living Your Best Life? Get Top Specialty Care in Katy, TX! IF YOU EXPERIENCE:

• Burning, numbness in legs/feet • Leg skin discoloration, hair loss • Swelling and edema in legs • Sores or ulcers on legs or feet • Leg pain when walking but not at rest • Varicose or bulging veins • Poor circulation • Leg pain, heaviness, and fatigue You may have Arterial or Vein Disease We treat artery and vein issues with advanced minimally invasive procedures! Avoid surgery. Covered by most insurance plans.

(281) 201-1917 23510 Kingsland Blvd Suite 100, Katy, TX 77494 HamiltonVascular.com We accept most major insurances including Medicare

KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • JULY 2023

Give your wallet a well-deserved rest. Summer break.

1 Gig for $70/mo 2 Gigs for $85/mo $ 75 /mo $ 55 /mo

Hurry, limited-time offer!

FidiumFiber.com/GigUpKaty

Limited-time offer is for first year of residential service. 2 Gigs is $75/mo year 1, $85/mo year 2, and $95/mo after. 1 Gig is $55/mo year 1, $75/mo year 2 and $95/mo after. Service not available in all areas. Conditions apply. © 2023 Fidium.

Your Home, Your Way.

Design your custom home just the way you envision it. With Sierra Classic, we have been providing clients with multiple ways to make their custom-build a reality for over 25 years; from pre-crafted plans, modifying existing plans or creating something entirely new — we will make your home simply stunning. Each weekend, our expert team will be on hand to answer your questions regarding: » Custom Home construction » Floor plan customization » Financing your home » All other considerations you may have

WEST HOUSTON MODEL HOME 380 Solomon Ln Brookshire, TX 77423 281.971.3318 | SierraClassic.com

Download Our Digital Brochure

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from Katy ISD

HIGHLIGHTS KATY ISD Despite an $8 billion surplus originally set aside for schools before the 88th legislative session, district officials do not anticipate any funds from the state to go toward teacher salary increases. Moreover, a special session on school finance has not been called by the governor, and House Bill 100 failed in the Senate, which could have provided support. However, discussion continues internally through July on whether the district will use local funding to increase compensation by 3% or higher for its teachers and faculty. Katy ISD board of trustees will meet July 31 at 6301 S. Stadium Lane, Katy. Meetings are livestreamed at www.katyisd.org. MEETINGS WE COVER NUMBER TO KNOW remains of Katy ISD’s $67 million allotment from the third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, which will be used for staff retention, public health protocols and learning loss. $24.75 M

Katy ISD seeks increased revenue by boosting attendance KATY ISD If Katy ISD grew its average daily attendance rate dis- trictwide by just 0.5% in the 2023-24 school year, it would increase its basic allotment revenue by $2.77 million, officials said. What’s happening? BY ASIA ARMOUR SAMPLE SCHOOL CURRENT GOAL Enrollment 3,100 3,100 Average daily attendance 93.54% 94.04% Number of students absent daily 200 185 ROLL CALL Daily attendance rates are an indicator of student outcomes and contribute to district

funding. To improve ADA the district will ask each campus to brainstorm ways to incentivize attendance. SOURCE: KATY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Additional students in attendance per day

N/A

+15

Officials are now proposing an initiative incentivizing student attendance for the 2024-25 school year to increase these revenues and improve student outcomes. At a June 26 meeting, Ronnie Edwards, assistant superintendent for school leadership and support, said Katy ISD’s average daily attendance rate, or ADA, has fallen by 2% since the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods for incentivizing atten- dance will be decided by the leader- ship at each school, Edwards said, but could look like competitions at the campus, grade or classroom level with the winners rewarded with a party.

The context The ADA is directly linked to how much of a basic allotment each district receives from the Texas Education Agency—which is $6,160 per student in average daily attendance. KISD finance leaders believe incentivizing atten- dance at a campus level is one way to gain more of these funds. Jamey Hynds, executive director of finance, said an attendance initiative would increase the district’s expenditures, but potential resulting state funding could offset the cost by millions of dollars.

Put in perspective The goal is to increase ADA by a minimum of 0.5% at each campus in the 2023-24 school year, Hynds said. For a campus with 3,100 students, this would mean increasing attendance by 15 students per day. If this happens, Katy ISD will expend $1.49 million but receive a boost in basic allotment revenue of $2.77 million. If the district’s ADA increases by 1%, Katy ISD would expend $2.43 million, but then receive an estimated additional $5.54 million from the state.

KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • JULY 2023

Checking benefits that fit you to a

Enjoy all that Plus Checking offers: ü Travel and leisure benefits ü Cell phone protection

ü Credit file monitoring ü Roadside assistance

ü Shopping Rewards™ ü ID theft protection

ü Financial wellness tools

ü Health discounts

ü Plus more!

There’s checking and then there’s Plus Checking – an interest- earning account that gives you special benefits! Visit your local branch or trustmark.com/pluschecking to learn more.

MARINE MILITARY ACADEMY

TURN POTENTIAL INTO SUCCESS Achieve More • Prepare for College • Become a Leader Small class sizes , individual attention, and a variety of extra-curricular activities help us develop disciplined, morally strong, college-ready young men who are prepared for responsible leadership .

Learn more by attending a free info session near you: Tuesday, August 7 • 7pm Houston Marriot Sugar Land 16090 City Walk 281-275-8400 A College-Prep Boarding School for Boys in Grades 7-12 »» 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. Harlingen, TX »» REGISTER NOW » MMA-TX.ORG » 956.423.6006

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

News from Harris County, Fort Bend County & Katy CITY & COUNTY Harris County invests $25M in court case backlog fight

QUOTE OF NOTE

Katy City Council will meet Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at 910 Ave. C, Katy. 281-391-4800. www.cityofkaty.com Harris County Commissioners Court will meet Aug. 8 at 1001 Preston Ave., Ste. 934, Houston. 713-755- 5000. www.harriscountytx.gov Fort Bend County Commissioners MEETINGS WE COVER FORT BEND COUNTY To partially fund its $495 million liability for retiree health care, on June 13 Fort Bend County commissioners approved a $19.94 million deposit into the $25.54 million other post-employment benefit, or OPEB, trust fund. The OPEB fund provides payment for doctor visits, emergency care and prescription costs for all county employees working toward retirement health care benefits as well as all retirees and their spouses. NUMBER TO KNOW was by the Texas Department of Transportation to Fort Bend County. The grants will be used for various initiatives, including potentially the county’s emergency network monitoring system. granted $807,455 HIGHLIGHTS FORT BEND COUNTY In a Commissioners Court meeting held June 27, officials focused on improving emergency response capabilities within the region. The main priority of the discussion revolved around a proposed memorandum of understanding, or MOU, aimed at fostering collaboration between various agencies during times of crisis. Key components of the proposed MOU include the establishment of a joint operations center and the formation of a unified command structure. “THIS IS GREAT NEWS FOR HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS. ACCOUNTABILITY OVER ELECTIONS HAS BEEN RESTORED BACK TO YOU.” TOM RAMSEY, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER ON THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 1750, WHICH ABOLISHES HARRIS COUNTY’S ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

BY EMILY LINCKE

BACKLOG BREAKDOWN

HARRIS COUNTY To help Harris County departments work through backlogged cases, commissioners voted June 6 to allocate $25 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the effort. The background: Harris County has been experiencing a court case backlog since courts were shut down in early 2020 due to COVID-19. Harris County previously invested $39 million toward reducing the backlog, and since January 2022, misdemeanor and felony cases in the county’s backlog have decreased by 44% and 41%, respectively, according to county documents.

Case preparation: $7.9M

Disposing cases: $11.2M

Harris County commissioners voted unanimously June 6 to allocate $25 million in federal funding to tackle the county’s court case backlog.

Total: $25M

Case flow process and management: $1.2M

Evidence management: $4.8M

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

By the numbers: The funds will be used in different ways, according to a June 7 news release: • $11.2 million for disposing cases via emergency response dockets for district and county courts

• $7.9 million to aid case preparation • $4.8 million for better evidence management • $1.2 million for improving the case flow process Melissa Enaje contributed to this report. Fort Bend County monitors Legionnaires’ disease outbreak

Katy officials move forward with exhibit design at downtown Visitors Center

BY ASIA ARMOUR

KATY Renovations to Katy’s historic town square continue with an upcoming project to enhance the city’s Visitors Cen- ter, located at 5718 Second St. The overview: At a June 26 meeting, City Council members approved a $61,000 grant appli- cation for the Katy Convention & Tourism Bureau to fund the basic architecture and engineer- ing design of 1,200-1,500 square feet of space at the Visitors Center. The CTB approved the action June 21. According to the application, the design will encompass a storyline that showcases both Katy’s history and future. VLK Architects will execute this work in six phases: • Programming • Schematic design • Design development • Construction documents • Bidding and permitting • Construction administration Also of note: VLK Architects has also worked with Katy ISD to design the school district’s Ger- ald D. Young Agricultural Sci- ences Center, Legacy Stadium

BY ASIA ARMOUR

FORT BEND COUNTY Health and human services is actively investigating a recent outbreak of Legionella in Bon- terra at Cross Creek Ranch, a 55-years- and-older community in Fulshear. Current situation: Kaila Williams, health communications, equity and engagement director, said in an email the county health department was first notified of a potential case June 22. Per the investigation, there are four confirmed cases and three more prob- able cases of legionellosis as of July 6, presumptively linked to individuals who have utilized the facilities at the Bonterra Clubhouse. Zooming in: Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can include cough, muscle aches, fever, shortness of breath and headache, Williams wrote. The disease presents as pneumonia with a cough, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Transmission occurs by breathing in small droplets of water in the air that are contaminated with the Legionella bacteria. For example, breathing in steam from a contaminated hot tub. According to DSHS, no human-to-human transmission occurs.

2ND ST. FIRST ST.

and Bethke Elementary School. The exhibit will be composed of both physical and digital elements, such as display cases, media experiences and other graphic components, according to project documents The background: The Visitors Center and Katy Civic Center buildings were originally funded by a $3 million bond package approved by Katy voters in 2000. Katy’s Historic Town Square revitalization has been in the works for several years, facing delays due to the 2016 Tax Day Floods, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Court will meet Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. at 401 Jackson St., Richmond. 281-342-3411. www.fortbendcountytx.gov

KATY SOUTH - FULSHEAR EDITION • JULY 2023

in Houston #1 SELLING MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY

Why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary!

Sunterra is Houston’s #1 top-selling master-planned community* featuring the homes, schools and amenities homebuyers are clamoring for. Sunterra has it all — including 23 nationally recognized builders, Katy ISD schools and two planned amenity villages— a crystal clear lagoon and lazy river complex. Don’t delay, secure your place in Houston’s top-selling community today!

Clay Rd.

New Homes $300s-$800s SUNTERRATX.COM

* Ranking based on RCLCO 2022 year end report. Prices and availability subject to change without notice. Amenity designs and construction are subject to first obtaining the appropriate federal, state and local permits and approvals. Features listed for the Sunterra Lagoon Amenity Village are representative only, and Land Tejas reserves the right, without notice to or approval by the Buyer, to make changes or substitutions of equal or better quality for any features, materials and equipment. The location and size of the amenity village and Crystal Clear Lagoon are subject to feasibility studies and local government approvals. 04/23

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18-19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36

communityimpact.com