Community Impact Local Updates
Community Impact article published September 24, 2025: [Click here to view article]
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Here are the latest updates on three transportation projects happening in the Magnolia area. This list is not comprehensive.
FM 1488 widening west of Magnolia
Project: Between the Waller County line and FM 1774 west of Magnolia, FM 1488 is being widened from two to four lanes with a continuous left-turn lane.
Update: This project is 98% completed, according to a Sept. 11 media update from the Texas Department of Transportation.
Timeline: November 2020-third quarter 2025
Cost: $35.35 million
Funding source: state funds
FM 1488 widening through Magnolia
Project: FM 1488 is being widened from two to four lanes with a continuous left-turn lane in Magnolia between FM 1774 and west of FM 149.
Update: According to a Sept. 11 media update from TxDOT, this project is 60% completed.
Timeline: June 2022-third quarter 2027
Cost: $48.3 million
Funding source: state funds
Latest News
Magnolia City Council approved the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget and adopted a new property tax rate during a special meeting Sept. 16.
The details: The approved tax rate is $0.2277 per $100 valuation, which differs from the previous fiscal year’s tax rate, $0.2509 per $100 valuation, as previously reported.
The budget allocates funding for city services, capital projects and operations for the year beginning Oct. 1. It includes appropriations for the general fund, water and sewer fund, debt service and the city’s economic development corporations, per the document.
Compared to last fiscal year, Magnolia's approved revenues saw a 16.9% increase to $9.4 million and a 16.5% increase in approved expenditures to $9.3 million, resulting in a surplus of $33,366, according to city documents. The budget breakdown includes:
Police department: $3.6 million
Public works: $1.3 million
Facilities: $1 million