🐐Goats on payroll; Lower tax rate, higher taxes; G.K. naming rights

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🗞️NEWS OF THE DAY:

Paul Romanowski will become President and CEO of Arlington-based home builder D.R. Horton Oct. 1, replacing David Auld, who will transition to executive vice chair of the board. Donald Horton will continue his role as chairman of the board. 

Pillar Commercial and OliveMill Holdings have acquired Pinnacle Point, an 81,259 square-foot office, single-story complex in Southlake. It is located along South Kimball Avenue, less than a mile from Southlake Town Square, according to a news release. The development features three buildings, each approximately 27,000 square feet, on more than seven acres. The development features general or creative office suites or conversion to light industrial.

The Fort Worth city council voted in the largest decrease in the city’s tax rate since at least 1990; however, it’s not enough to offset higher taxes because of increasing property values. The 2024 rate is roughly 5.6% lower, but property values rose roughly 12% in the last year.

The Tarrant County Administration Building will now be known as the G.K. Maenius Administration Building. Commissioners made the change to celebrate and honor Maenius' 35 years as a driving force in shaping Tarrant County’s progress. He is the longest-serving County Administrator in Texas and the only County Administrator in Tarrant County history.

The UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s College of Pharmacy has received an eight-year accreditation, the maximum allowed. The achievement signifies that the pharmacy school meets or exceeds the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Flix Brewhouse will open in Mansfield on September 30 according to the theatre’s website. The theatre has nine screens, an onsite brewery and tap room, a full bar and an extensive food menu.

Is 96 too old? The Federal Circuit’s active judges suspended for one year 96-year-old Judge Pauline Newman, the oldest active federal judge, for not submitting to medical testing for an inquiry about her fitness to serve. Newman fought back against the allegations, which added a misconduct dimension to the investigation, and it was on those grounds that she was barred from taking on new cases.

Watch your step: A U.S. International Trade Commission's investigation rules that Oklahoma retailer Hobby Lobby was found not to have infringed on Crocs' iconic shoe trademarks, but the ITC issued cease and desist orders for two other shoe sellers, La Modish and Star Bay. The complaint against Hobby Lobby focused on a product it sold called “White Foam Clog Ladies Shoes” as having copied features.

Work wellbeing: A survey from job site Indeed analyzed millions of anonymous employee reviews to rate U.S. companies on happiness, stress, satisfaction and purpose. Only companies with 1,000 or more employees were included. The top 10 rankings of companies with the happiest workers might surprise you.

Surcharge sayonara: The Postal Service is discontinuing holiday surcharges for the 2023 peak season. It's a bonus for consumers and a surprise move for USPS, which has raised stamp prices three times in 12 months. UPS and FedEx have already announced holiday surcharges that will start in October.

An index that measures small business owners' confidence jumped six points in the third quarter, nearly reaching its pre-pandemic high. Published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, it’s another sign the economy is doing OK. Researchers surveyed 751 U.S. business owners who run companies with fewer than 500 people. 66% of small business owners say their business is in good health — a nearly 10-point increase. 71% expect revenue to increase next year — the most since the survey launched in 2017. (Axios)

Nothing to do with business: Call it a Shawshank Redemption flashback. A woman was rescued Tuesday from an outhouse toilet in northern Michigan after she climbed in to retrieve her Apple Watch and became trapped.

🏆PEOPLE ON THE MOVE:

• Medical City Healthcare: Announces John Thresher as Chief Development and Integration Officer

• Nanoscope Therapeutics: Hires Samuel Barone, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer

• TX. Association of Chicanos in Higher Ed: Names Rosalinda Martinez as Board Secretary

• Arts Fort Worth: Honors Ginger Head Gearheart with its Heart of Gold Award

✂️SNIPPETS:

• U.S. employers to see biggest healthcare cost jump in a decade in 2024.

• Crayola is entering the flower biz. The company announced the launch of an online flower shop called Crayola Flowers where 10%-50% of every sale will be donated to a charity.

• Can you guess which city in Texas has the worst weather? A meteorologist did the math by looking at weather history since 2000. The answer is closer to home than you might think.

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