Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs Edition | June 2024

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

Southwest Austin Dripping Springs Edition VOLUME 17, ISSUE 3 JUNE 28JULY 26, 2024

2024 Health Care Edition

Maternal care in hospitals expanding in Travis County

Births on the rise

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

In 2023, for the rst time in over a decade, Travis County’s population grew due to the number of people born within its bounds—not because of the people moving there. For that year, Travis County’s population increased by about 7,400 people. With a net migration of -2,411, this increase comes from an esti- mated 16,289 births countywide. Despite the modest increase of 270 births from 2022 to 2023, there is a growing demand for maternal care in the area. Statewide stang pressures point to a strain in Austin’s maternal resources, even as hospital groups work to expand space for care. “There are times when inductions are being held because there’s too many people coming in in labor,” said Dr. Margaret Whitney, an OBGYN with Women’s Health and UT Health. “There’s no bed, or there’s no nurse, so I think that’s probably the more palpable bottleneck across the board.”

Austinite Kellie Connolly gave birth to her daughter at St. David’s Medical Center in March 2023.

CONTINUED ON 30

COURTESY KELLIE CONNOLLY

Also in this issue

Premium sponsors

INSIDE

Impacts: Goldsh Swim School opens on Davis Lane (Page 6)

Government: ERCOT CEO talks grid reliability, summer outlook (Page 10)

Epilepsy care that keeps you in control.

You have the power to live life on your terms. And our board-certified epileptologists are by your side with the care you need close to home. We’ll work together to create a plan and guide your next steps toward better seizure control.

Welcome, Victor Montoya, MD

Now taking new patients. Schedule an appointment 866.330.3060

Welcome, Diego Tovar, MD

BSWHealth.com/NeuroHealth

200 Medical Parkway | Lakeway, TX 78738

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Austin is in STAGE 2 DROUGHT Water Restrictions

Watering one day per week

6 Automatic irrigation and hose-end sprinkler watering is restricted to one day per week. 6 Automatic irrigation watering times are before 5 a.m. or after 7 p.m. The runtime is reduced by 3 hours with cutoff at 5 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. 6 Hose-end sprinkler watering times are before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. 6 Hand watering or watering with a refillable receptacle such as a bucket is allowed on any day or time.

6 Water waste is prohibited. 6 Restaurants may serve water only upon request. 6 Charity car washes are prohibited, and home car washing is only allowed while using a bucket. 6 Patio misters at commercial properties, including restaurants and bars, may operate only between 4 p.m. and midnight. 6 Large ornamental fountains can no longer be operated. 6 New landscape variance required for watering outside of scheduled day

austinwater.org

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

Are you struggling to pay your utility bill? The City of Austin’s Customer Assistance Program helps with: • Utility Bill Discounts • Emergency Bill Help • Payment Arrangements • Support for the Medically Vulnerable Get Utility Bill Help

CUT & SAVE! Benjamin Moore 8 oz. Color Samples Two FREE Redeem in-store or use code “SWSAMP74” during checkout on clementspaint.com . Only valid at Clement’s Paint. 1 redemption per customer. Coupon is single- use. Cannot be combined with other offers. Terms of and changes to this offer are subject to the sole discretion of Clement’s Paint. Valid until 8/31/24

Your Local

Retailer Since 1986

Request a Quote

SPRING CLEANING MADE EASY WITH OUR MINI ROLL-OFF DUMPSTERS!

SEE IF YOU QUALIFY AustinBillHelp.com 512-494-9400

Save $ 100

(Plus FREE Garden-Ville mulch or compost)

737-236-7067 | TexasDisposal.com For new service only. Terms and conditions may apply. Offer expires July 31, 2024.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity. About Community Impact

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Elle Bent Amanda Cutshall Kameryn Griesser Sarah Hernandez Parks Kugle Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Zacharia Washington Chloe Young Graphic Designers Rachal Elliott Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia

Deeda Lovett General Manager dlovett@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Managing Copy Editor Beth Marshall Account Executive Weston Warner Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Art Production Manager Haley Grace

Zara Flores Editor z ores@ communityimpact.com

Travis Baker Publisher tbaker@ communityimpact.com

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

Proudly printed by

16225 Impact Way Pugerville, TX 78660 • 5129896808 CI Careers communityimpact.com/careers Press releases swanews@communityimpact.com Advertising swaads@communityimpact.com communityimpact.com/advertising

communityimpact.com

@communityimpactnews

linkedin.com/company/communityimpact

Nurturing Skin, Nurturing You Medical - Cosmetic - Surgical Locally owned and operated Board-certified Dermatologists

Book Now

8701 State Hwy 71 Ste 101, Austin, TX 78735 Christopher Chu MD, FAAD • Chelsey Straight MD, FAAD

512-766-2610

puredermtx.com

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

Impacts

183 4 Sally Beauty The retailer opened in Sunset Valley, offering a variety of beauty products, such as hair color and cosmetics. • Opened June 7 • 5400 Brodie Lane, Ste. 260, Austin • www.sallybeauty.com 5 eSLP Clinic The speech therapy clinic treats difficulties in speech and more in both children and adults. • Opened April 1 • 10200 W. Hwy 290, Ste. 101, Austin • www.eslpclinic.com 2 Goldfish Swim School The swim school offers year-round indoor lessons for kids ages 4 months to 12 years old. Amenities include spaces for birthday parties, private changing rooms, showers and drying stations. • Opened May 16 • 3601 Davis Lane, Bldg. 3, Austin • www.goldfishswimschool.com/south-austin 3 Blue Gardenia Boutique Locally owned by Bethany Pendleton, the boutique sells clothing and accessories next to Summer Moon Coffee in Circle C Ranch. • Opened June 1 • 5701 W. Slaughter Lane, Ste. A-150, Austin • Instagram: blue_gardenia_boutique 6 Discount Tire The tire shop opened in its third South Austin store in West Oak Hill. Discount Tire offers tire and wheel maintenance plus safety inspections and air checks. • Opened in June • 8023 Rosson Drive, Austin • www.discounttire.com Mindful Hands Massage The mobile table massage service is owned and operated by Gudjon Bergmann. The business serves a wide area, including Wimberley and South Austin. • Opened May 4 • www.mindfulhandsmassage.com

BARTON CREEK BLVD.

360

MOPAC

ROSSON DR.

290

1826

MOPAC

BELL SPRINGS RD.

RIDDLE RD.

South Austin

290

MAP NOT TO SCALE

provides rental spaces for licensed hair stylists, makeup artists, tattoo artists, estheticians and more. • Opened April 27 • 2110 W. Slaughter Lane, Ste. 160, Austin • www.revealsuites.com/austin-tx

Now open

1 Reveal Salon Suites The salon space is open in the Tanglewood Village Shopping Center next to H-E-B. Reveal Salon Suites

Let’s Build Today!

512-261-3911 | HOMESBYPRESTIGE.NET

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ELLE BENT, ZARA FLORES & SARAH HERNANDEZ

Coming soon

7 Austin Pets Alive Regional Pet Hospital and ICU

The Austin-based animal welfare organization will be opening a new animal hospital this summer as part of its four-part plan to increase care and accessibility in the area. Officials said the new hospital will be able to treat 1,000 more puppies and kittens with viruses than before. • Opening in August 8 Mathnasium A new math learning and tutoring center will open in the Southpark Meadows shopping center, owned by Aileen Yu. Mathnasium offers customized math learning plans for children in grades 1-12. Tutors can also help with test preparation, homework and early childhood math development. • Opening Aug. 1 • 9900 S. I-35, Ste. P250, Austin • www.mathnasium.com/math-centers/ southparkmeadows • 4942 Hwy. 290, Austin • www.austinpetsalive.org 9 Money’s PlayHouse The Kyle-based day care will soon open in its first brick- and-mortar day care in Austin. Madeline Wack and her husband own and operate Money’s PlayHouse, offering full-time care for infants up to 3 years old.

11 Cabo Bob’s The Baja California-inspired restaurant is opening soon at The Shops at Onion Creek. The new location is one of two the Austin-based restaurant chain will open in South Austin. The Onion Creek location will open in what was previously Subway. The location off Hwy. 290 in will also open this summer. Cabo Bob’s sells tacos, burritos, nachos and more. • Opening in July • 11215 S. I-35, Ste. 127, Austin • www.cabobobs.com

14 Urban Lagree The boutique fitness studio, locally owned by Abigayle Rosser and Katie Hayes, will open this summer on South Congress Avenue. They opened their first location in Central Austin in 2019. Lagree is a high-intensity, low-impact workout done on a machine called a Megareformer. • Opening in early July • 4900 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.urbanlagree.com

pottery, jewelry and more. • Closed in April • 1700 S. Congress Ave., Austin • Instagram: micasaatx, caminojcstore

Closings

• Opening in early August • 2301 Riddle Road, Austin • Facebook: Money’s PlayHouse LLC

12 Epic Fun The family-friendly entertainment center will be closing its doors. It was announced via social media June 6. Epic Fun offered laser tag, mini bowling, an arcade, ax throwing and more. • Closed June 30 • 7101 W. Hwy. 71, Austin • www.epicfun.com 13 Mi Casa Gallery After almost three decades on South Congress Avenue, the gallery and shop closed at the end of April and relocated to Johnson City as Camino. Mi Casa Gallery sold an array of Mexican- and Southwest-inspired art,

15 Sunroom The women’s clothing and accessory shop, founded by Lucy Jolis in 2013, closed within the South Congress Hotel. The Malibu, California, location of Sunroom will be relocating and customers can still shop online. • Closed June 1 • 1603 S. Congress Ave., Austin • www.shopsunroom.com

10 Tso Chinese Founders Angell and Eunice Tsang, and Min and Jenna Choe will open a new location of their Chinese delivery and takeout eatery. The Austin-based eatery will offer modern takes on classic Chinese takeout options, such as General Tso and orange chicken, with free delivery and a no-tipping policy. • Opening this fall • 1824 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin • www.tsochinese.com

Comprehensive Financial Planning | Flat-Fee Fiduciary Advice | Tax Strategy | Investment Management | Personal CFO

512-222-7521 info@realwealthplanning.com realwealthplanning.com Sarah Ponder, CFP®

Where Wealth Meets Wisdom

New Website!

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

%X\LQJDKRPHMXVWJRWPRUHDσRUGDEOHZKHQ\RXFKRRVHVHOHFW LQYHQWRU\KRPHVE\%URRNðHOG5HVLGHQWLDOLQ$GGLVRQ(DVWRQ 3DUNDQG.LVVLQJ7UHHZLWKD $35 ð[HGLQWHUHVW UDWH &ORVHE\$XJXVWVWDQG\RXFDQVDYHWKRXVDQGVRQDKXJH VHOHFWLRQRITXLFNPRYHLQKRPHVIHDWXULQJVW\OLVKLQWHULRUVFKRVHQ E\RXUH[SHUWGHVLJQHUV :KHQ\RXFKRRVHDKRPHIURP%URRNðHOG5HVLGHQWLDO\RXâOOVHH RXUGHGLFDWLRQWRTXDOLW\LQHYHU\WKLQJIURPEHDXWLIXOð[WXUHVDQG ZHOOSODQQHGOD\RXWVWRFOHDUFRPPXQLFDWLRQWKURXJKRXWWKHKRPH EX\LQJSURFHVV%HFDXVHZHNQRZLIVRPHWKLQJLVZRUWKGRLQJLWâV ZRUWKGRLQJULJKW

Call 512-829-3163 or scan the QR code to learn how you can take advantage of these great low rates.

;OPZPZUV[HUVќLY[VSLUK9H[LZHYLLќLJ[P]L4H`HUKHYLIHZLKVUHYH[LSVJRMVY*VU]LU[PVUHS@LHY-P_LKTVY[NHNL^P[OHYH[LVM (79 TPUPT\TJYLKP[ZJVYLVMVY HIV]L9H[LZ[LYTZHUKH]HPSHIPSP[`VMWYVNYHTZHYLZ\IQLJ[[VJOHUNL^P[OV\[UV[PJL(KKP[PVUHS[LYTZTH`HWWS`(]HPSHISLVUOVTLZ[OH[JHUJSVZLVUVYILMVYL(\N\Z[Z[4\Z[NL[WYLX\HSPÄLK MVYHUL^W\YJOHZL[OYV\NO)97/VTL4VY[NHNL33*5V[HSSHWWSPJHU[Z^PSSX\HSPM`(]HPSHISLVUZLSLJ[OVTLZP[LZVUS`6ќLYUV[[VILJVTIPULK^P[OHU`V[OLYSLUKLYPUJLU[P]LVYWYVNYHT4H`UV[ ILH]HPSHISLH[[PTLVMSVHUJVTTP[TLU[VYJSVZPUN:LY]PJLZUV[H]HPSHISLPUHSSZ[H[LZ)97/VTL4VY[NHNL33*543: 5:JV[[ZKHSL9VHK:\P[L:JV[[ZKHSL(A-VY PUMVYTH[PVUVMV\YJVTWHU`»ZTVY[NHNLSPJLUZPUNNV[V^^^UTSZJVUZ\TLYHJJLZZVYNBUTSZJVUZ\TLYHJJLZZVYND,X\HS/V\ZPUN6WWVY[\UP[`3LUKLY(SSSVHUZHYLZ\IQLJ[[V\UKLY^YP[LYHWWYV]HS)\`LY PZUV[YLX\PYLK[VÄUHUJL[OYV\NO)97/VTL4VY[NHNL33*HUKVY\ZLZ\JO*SVZPUN(NLU[ZLSLJ[LKI`:LSSLY[VW\YJOHZLHOVTL"OV^L]LY)\`LYT\Z[\ZLIV[O[OL*SVZPUN(NLU[ZLSLJ[LKI`:LSSLY HUKÄUHUJL[OYV\NO)97/VTL4VY[NHNL33*[VYLJLP]LJLY[HPUWYVTV[LKPUJLU[P]LZ

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Impacts

BY ELLE BENT & SARAH HERNANDEZ

Coming soon

290

BELL SPRINGS RD.

4 F45 Training The fitness center will offer team-based fitness classes, said studio manager Samantha Jo Martinez. • Opening in mid-August • 12400 W. US Hwy. 290, Ste. 240, Dripping Springs • www.f45training.com

FITZHUGH RD.

185

1 2 4

HIGH PLAINS DR.

290

HARGRAVES DR.

Dripping Springs

164

Closings

MAP NOT TO SCALE

5 Family Business Beer Company The taproom closed as owners actor Jensen Ackles, wife Danneel and Gino Graul search for a new location. • Closed May 8 • 19510 Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs • www.familybusinessbeerco.com 6 Cakes Rock & Rose Haven Two bakeries within Rose Haven Event Venue, Cakes Rock and Rose Haven, have closed due to rising costs. The space, owned by local Christy Seguin, will remain open for special events like weddings, anniversaries and more. • Closed June 15 • 12013 US 290, Austin • www.rosehavenvenue.com

150

C-infused showers in Ledgestone. • Opened in April • 12400 W. US Hwy. 290, Ste. 400, Dripping Springs • www.sweathouz.com 3 JuiceLand Founded in 2001 by local Matt Shook, JuiceLand offers smoothies, juice, lattes and vegan meals in Belterra. The eatery replaced what was dry cleaner EcoClean. • Opened June 11 • 165 Hargraves Drive, P300, Dripping Springs • www.juiceland.com

Now open

1 UrgentVet Helmed by practice manager Allie Richardson, the clinic treats minor injuries, illness and offers end-of- life care for pets in Ledgestone next to Playa Bowls. • Opened April 25 • 12400 U.S. 290, Ste. 430, Dripping Springs • www.urgentvet.com 2 SweatHouz Owned by franchisee Kaleigh Bryant, the contrast therapy studio offers saunas, cold plunges and vitamin

OMALLEYTIREANDAUTO.COM

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

Government

BY HANNAH NORTON

As temperatures rise and more people crank up their air conditioning, Texans are likely to wonder if the state’s power grid is prepared to meet electric demand. Texas’ power grid operator asked residents to conserve energy 11 times last summer and twice during a January arctic blast. Energy leaders face continued skepticism from residents in the three-plus years after the deadly power outages during Winter Storm Uri, the days- long freeze in February 2021. Community Impact sat down with leaders from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas on May 21 to discuss how the grid has evolved to meet the needs of Texas’ rapidly growing population and what residents can expect this summer. Current situation “The summer used to be a fairly simple season to manage,” ERCOT President and CEO Pablo Vegas said. “You would have your hottest part of the day at three, four or five o’clock, and as long as you had enough supply during those hours, you were in good shape and you could get through the summer.” It’s not as simple today. ERCOT relies partially on solar power to meet high demand during the summer, resulting in a “rapidly declining energy source” as the sun sets, Vegas said. “Oftentimes, wind picks up in the evenings in Texas, and so you have kind of this handoff from the solar power to the wind power,” Vegas said. “But that doesn’t happen every day.” ERCOT CEO talks grid reliability, summer outlook

During periods of high demand with low wind and solar capacity or high outages at power plants, officials may call on Texans to voluntarily reduce their energy use for a few hours. For the first time since Winter Storm Uri, ERCOT briefly entered emergency operations Sept. 6 as power reserves dropped, although the grid operator said rotating power outages were not needed. Digging deeper With summer on the horizon, Vegas said there are “more generating resources available this summer than we’ve ever had before,” which will help offset declining solar power in the evenings. “We operate the grid with a conservative point of view on making sure there’s always enough committed generating resources to what we expect to happen over the next hour,” Vegas said. “And what that does, is it ensures that we have enough resources called up and ready to deliver, and we’re going to continue to operate the grid that way coming into the summer.” Power plants and transmission facilities across the state have been upgraded to ensure they can withstand extreme temperatures, said Venkat Tirupati, ERCOT’s vice president of DevOps and Grid Transformation. Legislation passed in 2021 required energy providers to “weatherize” their facilities after some power plants shut down during Winter Storm Uri. ERCOT did not confirm how many plants had been upgraded, but said officials have inspected 2,117 weatherized facilities since December 2021. This August, there is a 16% change of emer- gency conditions from 8-9 p.m. daily, when wind and solar power are low and more people are using electricity, ERCOT reported June 7. As Texas grows, officials project overall demand on the grid will rise from 85,000 megawatts to 150,000 by 2030.

When ERCOT asked Texans to help Below is a timeline of each time the grid operator asked Texans to conserve power from 2021-present, including two emergency incidents. Texans reduced their energy use by about 500 megawatts during recent voluntary conservation periods, ERCOT said. 2021 • February: five days of conservation requests; one grid emergency with rotating power outages • April: one conservation request • June: five days of conservation requests 2022 • July: two days of conservation requests

2023 • June: one conservation request

• August: seven days of conservation requests • September: two days of conservation requests; one grid emergency without mandatory outages

2024 • January: two days of conservation requests

Dallas

Houston

ERCOT’s service regions

Austin San Antonio

Energy-saving tips To save energy during voluntary conservation periods, ERCOT recommends Texans:

Raise thermostats by a few degrees in the summer

Avoid using large and non-essential appliances or lights

Close blinds or curtains to block direct sunlight

Use fans to circulate cool air

SOURCE: ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

YOUR ONLY LOCAL SHUTTER MANUFACTURER FOR OVER 31 YEARS Mention this ad to SAVE 10 %

FACTORY DIRECT PRICING

Call now to schedule a free in-home consultation! 512-931-0400 0 % Financing Available

3415 Williams Drive, #140, Georgetown • www.SouthernShuttersAustin.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

From 2018 to 2023, over 30 tech companies opened shop in Austin and employment in the industry increased nearly 31%, according to data from nonprofit Opportunity Austin. Since the start of 2024, thousands of employees within the sector have been laid off, with some companies announcing relocations or shuttering completely. Despite the downturn, local economists said they are optimistic about the future of the tech industry, pointing to its overall unemployment rate of 3% and new job openings. Overall, nearly 4,000 technology jobs have been slashed in the Austin region this year, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Layoffs grip the tech industry

Looking ahead

Austin tech layoffs in 2024

Company Versum Materials

Laid off

With heightening interest rates and inflation, state economics analyst Mark Sprague said it was only a matter of time that the trend reached Austin’s tech sector as well. O’Brien, the CEO of startup incubator MediaTech Ventures, said he believes some were misled about local investment appetites. O’Brien pointed to the recent example of the software company Oracle When it comes to smaller tech companies leaving the city, Paul announcing it will keep offices in Austin but will be relocating its headquarters to Nashville. Austin Technology Council CEO Thom Singer said in the coming years, artificial intelligence programs could lead to yet another boom in Austin’s tech sector.

51 59 92

Kasasa Unity Technologies-Austin Arkane Studios (Microsoft-owned) Atmosphere TV Rooster Teeth Production Expedia Group

106 139 148

Bumble

350*

577 1,000* 2,688

VMware Indeed Tesla

*COMPANIES DID NOT FILE NOTICES TO THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION SOURCE: TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

Government

BY ELLE BENT & BEN THOMPSON

Homestead tax exemptions boosted Austin City Council raised the local homestead tax exemption for senior and disabled residents in May. The details The update reduces the taxable value of senior and disabled Austinites’ primary residence by $30,000 more, for a $154,000 total exemption. The move follows other increases approved in recent years. Rising home appraisals coupled with the cost of covering the revised senior home- stead exemption could cost others about $100 on their next bills. Breaking down the exemption City officials increased Austin's senior and disabled homestead exemption in May, a move expected to keep property taxes flat for eligible homeowners.

Temperatures rising The number of hot days in Austin is expected to increase through the 2000s, especially with high greenhouse gas emissions.

Historical (1979-2020)

Near term (2021-2040)

Mid-century (2041-2070)

End-century (2071-2100)

105

Min. temp. > 80°F 0 2 15

0 1 3

Max. temp. > 100°F

Max. temp. > 110°F

NOTE: MEDIAN PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON A HIGH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION SCENARIO.

Number of days annually

SOURCES: CITY OF AUSTIN, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN CITY CLIMATE COLAB/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Austin officials prepare for summer heat to worsen With dangerous heat levels likely to continue this summer, local officials are advising residents to stay safe and prepared through the season. The gist

$1B wastewater plant project moves forward Austin officials approved spending more than $1 billion to upgrade one of two main wastewater treatment plants serving much of Austin Water, partially supported by utility rate hikes. What happened Multiple contracts for the Walnut Creek Waste- water Treatment Plant’s expansion and enhance- ment were approved by City Council on May 30. The Walnut Creek facility is located on the far east side of the city and treats more than half of Austin’s wastewater. The plant’s current capacity of 75 million gallons per day, or MGD, will be increased to 100 MGD, along with other improvements. The new capacity likely won’t be reached for at least two decades. City libraries and recreation centers, as well as county community centers, are open as cooling centers during business hours this summer. What else? New projections from The University of Texas and city researchers have suggested Austin will see intensifying summer conditions over the decades ahead. More hot days and swings from wet to dry weather are predicted as the climate changes and local population grows, while summer highs could rise 10 degrees by the end of the century. Austin’s count of summer heatwaves and hot spells—respectively defined as three or more straight days of “excessive” heat and two or more straight days with highs over 102.5 days—are expected to at least double.

Dripping Springs library fees waived The Dripping Springs Community Library is no longer charging overdue fees for items. The overview Individual books, DVDs and CDs will no longer accrue late fees and will automat- ically renew up to two times if no other person is waiting on the item. Additionally, all late fines have been forgiven. Instead of late fees, accounts will be barred from checking out new materials until items are returned. Damaged or lost items will still incur a fee. “We’re removing barriers to access information,” DSCL Campaign Manager Sarah Rose said. City and county officials said locals should plan to conserve energy and water this summer, and keep an eye out for friends, family and neighbors— especially those who are older or more medically vulnerable to heat. Heat-related illnesses are already on the rise, causing 123 hospital visits in May alone—a more than 150% increase over last year. Austin/Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said residents should be aware of heat illness signs—like nausea, clammy skin and dizziness— and hydrate or seek shade if any are being experienced.

$520,835

Home value

20% homestead exemption - $104,167 New senior/disabled exemption - $154,000

$262,668

Home taxable value

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

SENDERO HILLS PKWY.

Work is expected to begin next year and wrap up by 2031. The facility will continue to operate while construction takes place across the plant. What’s next The treatment plant expansion has been in planning for years ahead of the projected rate adjustment, which will help cover project costs. AW anticipates its rates could rise about 30% over the next four years. New rates will be set during the summer budget process.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY ELLE BENT

Austin ISD ocials approved a scal year 2024-25 operating budget of $953.99 million and took on a decit of $41.25 million June 20—as long as the board votes to place a tax rate increase on the November ballot. Without an increase in the tax rate to $0.9287 per $100 of property value and other savings, the decit reaches about $78.2 million—the largest ever for AISD. Before recapture—when the state takes property tax dollars from a district—the general fund totals $1.78 billion. The operating budget is left at $953.99 million after paying $821.06 million in recapture. Austin ISD eyes tax increase to ease decit

How we got here

"AISD did not put the [district] here; the state not supporting public education by way of funding has really exacerbated this problem that we have. My hope is that our legislators are paying

In mid-April, AISD sta discovered property value growth and average daily attendance rates were lower than they expected, bringing the pre- dicted $60 million shortfall to $89 million before cuts, resulting in less revenue for the district. Ocials made about $29 million in cuts to central oce positions and other costs this spring for FY 2024-25 to oset the decit. AISD ocials are pointing to multiple issues with public education funding that impact the budget, including: • House Bill 3, passed during the 88th legislature session, mandating an armed security guard at every campus, incurring more costs to the AISD Police Department • A loss of $7.8 million promised in Medicaid reimbursements for special education students due to the ndings of a federal audit

attention to the pain that school districts are going through right now." MATIAS SEGURA, AUSTIN ISD SUPERINTENDENT

• The basic student allotment—the amount school districts receive from the state based on student enrollment and attendance—not increasing since 2019 despite ination • Slow property value growth due to Senate Bill 2, a property tax relief plan passed during the 88th legislative session

Budget spending

Going forward

General fund: $1.78B Debt service fund: $241.25M Food service fund: $47.42M

would receive a one-time incentive payment of $500, as opposed to a pay increase. “Our community has the ability to make a decision on taxes, their dollars can support our schools,” Education Austin president Ken Zaris said. “Every stone needs to be turned before cuts are made at schools.” District ocials will discuss possible revenue streams and vote on placing a VATRE on the ballot at a future board meeting.

District ocials will likely ask the community to vote on a tax rate increase in a Voter Approved Tax Ratication Election, or VATRE, in November. If approved, ocials predict a VATRE would generate about $42 million in additional revenue. This would be about an increase of $35 a month to homeowners. Members of Education Austin, the district labor union, expressed support of a VATRE at a June 6 board meeting. Without it, full-time employees

Total: $2.06B

The district will pay $821.06 million, or 48% from the general fund to recapture. This leaves an operating budget of $953.99 million.

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

Education

BY ELLE BENT

Dripping Springs ISD to oer sta raises The Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees approved a 1% pay increase for sta May 20. What happened The increase will impact teachers, auxil- iary, technical and administrative sta based on each employee’s pay grade midpoint. DSISD human resources recommended the increase to retain sta and compete with other districts. It is eective July 1. What’s next The board will approve a scal year 2024- 25 budget June 24. The scal year 2023-24 budget included a 3% pay increase and adjustments in Novem- ber increased the hourly pay of some sta. Budget constraints for the 2024-25 school year likely won’t allow for more raises.

Renovations underway at Austin ISD campuses Major bond projects are underway at seven Austin ISD schools this summer and some neigh- borhoods may hear construction over the break. What happened The projects are funded by a $2.44 billion bond, approved by voters in November 2022. The program includes upgrades to schools across the district. The Harris Elementary School, Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Wooten Elementary School communities held groundbreakings this spring to celebrate the full renovations of their schools, meaning the current buildings will be deconstructed and rebuilt. Students are expected to be back on their original campuses by 2026. Cook, Oak Hill, Odom and Williams Elemen- tary Schools celebrated construction kick-os

Students dig into dirt at a groundbreaking for a full transformation of the all-girl’s middle school May 21.

ELLE BENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

throughout the academic year. These schools will undergo renovations that will enclose the class- rooms and add secure entrances. Work on these renovations are expected to be completed in 2025. “By modernizing these schools, we’re making a tremendous impact on the learning environment and improving the experience of students for generations to come,” AISD Superintendent Matias Segura said.

Learning will never be this easy for your child again. Or as wondrous.

Did you know 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years? At Primrose schools in the Greater Austin Area, we make the most of this important time by helping children grow the mental, physical and emotional skills that will set them up for success in the classroom and beyond.

Learn more about the 17 Primrose schools in the Greater Austin Area.

Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools is a registered trademark of Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. ©2024 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All rights reserved.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY ELLE BENT

TxDOT seeks resident input on Hwy. 290 Amid dissent from many residents, ocials with the Texas Department of Transportation are seeking feedback on a project impacting Hwy. 290. Initial plans to upgrade the highway include widening from four lanes to six lanes; adding pedestrian and bicycle accommodations; adding frontage roads and removing trac signals. The goal is to address area growth by improving safety and mobility, ocials said. Community members have expressed concerns since early this year, citing too many lanes and environmental harm as potential issues. The next step to be taken is the nal design, depending on funding and completion of the environmental study that ocials have been working on since 2022.

More customs, border ocers headed to ABIA More customs and border protection ocers will be stationed at the Austin-Bergstrom Interna- tional Airport this year. The gist By this fall, four new CBP ocers will join the airport’s 15 ocers, increasing the total number of ocers by 25%. At ABIA, these ocers supervise commercial passengers when they arrive from another country as well as cargo, general aviation passengers and ve foreign-trade zones. Increasing CBP ocers may help customs move quicker. How it happened In May, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett sent a letter to CBP ocials, urging for more ocers amid increased passenger volumes and an ongoing airport expansion program.

“For years, a shortage of CBP ocers has been an obstacle to securing new

international ights and a source of major

inconvenience to incoming international passengers and local businesses awaiting incoming cargo.” U.S. REP. LLOYD DOGGETT

Arrivals to ABIA more than doubled between 2019 and 2023, according to ocials, and air trac as a whole has doubled in the last ve years. In 2022, ABIA was categorized as a large-hub airport by the Federal Aviation Administration, Doggett said. The growth isn’t slowing down, as 2023 was the airport’s busiest on record, beating 2022 as the busiest year by over a million more passengers. In 2024 so far, four days made the list of top ten busiest days at ABIA ocials reported.

We can help your Startup or SMB with all your hiring needs!

Scan To Get In Touch!

OPENING IN JULY!

Enroll for Summer Camps & Weekly Classes Now!

CULINARY CAMPS • PARTIES • MEMBERSHIPS

austinswtx@youngchefsacademy.com

Matt Chamberlain

chamberlainrecruiting.com

512-222-6914

6705 US-290, Suite 501, ATX 78735

Keeping It Local Since 1996 Flooring & Remodeling

ESCARPMENT BLVD.

512-892-4402 | www.convicthillfloorcovering.com

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

Real estate

All but two ZIP codes in the Southwest Austin, Dripping Springs market saw an increase in number of homes sold year over year for May. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

May 2023

May 2024

-7.69%

+37.5%

+90%

+2.82%

+5.45%

+2.56%

+16%

360

78735

78736

78737

78739

78745

78748

78749

78620

78749

MOPAC

78735

78620

78736

Median home sales price

78745

May

2023

2024

290

$830,000 $575,000 $695,000 $872,500 $523,000 $463,000 $600,000 $702,100

$1,305,000 $615,000 $862,500 $792,500 $471,650 $472,500 $604,000 $736,318

78735 78736 78737 78739 78745 78748 78749 78620

78748

78737

78739

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 512-454-7636 WWW.ABOR.COM

Average days on the market

Market

May 2023

May 2024

-1.45%

-17.65%

94.74%

25%

18.18%

5.56%

104.08%

60%

May

2023

2024

461

512

New listings

299 337

Closed sales

78735

78736

78737

78739

78745

78748

78749

78620

Homes under contract

286 306

Homes sold by price point in May

Months of inventory

78735 78736 78737 78739 78745 78748 78749 78620

3.2

3.8

16 6

$900,000+

Average days on the market

20 5

$700,000-$899,999

18 12

$500,000-$699,999

36 35

$300,000-$499,999

Active listings

798 949

<$299,999

Our heart care team does, too. From preventive screenings to more comprehensive cardio care, our leading experts at the Heart & Vascular Institute work with you to create a plan your heart will love. And with multiple locations, where you get care is up to you. You know what makes your heart happiest.

Find a specialist at BSWHealth.com/HeartHealthAustin

Photography may include models or actors and may not represent actual patients. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2024 Baylor Scott & White Health. 13-ATX-984471-GreaterAustinRegionHeartVascularInstituteCampaign_Launch

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY SARAH HERNANDEZ

Health Care Edition

2024

Community Impact 's annual Health Care Edition features news on the timeliest topics in the industry. Content ranges from major health care developments to listings of nearby health care facilities. Articles within this guide are focused on local topics affecting your community, the metro and the state of Texas, and are written by our team of journalists to meet our mission of providing trusted news and information everyone gets.

Premium sponsors:

Deeda Lovett General Manager dlovett@ communityimpact.com

Premier Family Physicians www.pfpdocs.com

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Austin BSWHealth.com/Austin 512.654.2100 The power to live better™

Premier Family Physicians has cared for Central Texans for over 35 years! Our seven locations offer a wide range of services, while our patient- oriented practice delivers personalized, relationship-driven continuity of care.

What's inside

Stem cell transplant program nearly underway (Page 25)

Austin Public Health ends COVID-19 reporting (Page 33)

Vaccine exemption rates are on the rise in Texas schools

Percent of students in K-12 with a conscientious exemption Exemption rates

Vaccination rates in school-age children were high for the 2022-23 school year, but increasing conscien- tious exemption rates and lingering pandemic dis- ruptions prevent them from being higher, according to the National Conference of Legislatures. The context In the 2022-23 school year, rates for consci- entious exemptions increased by 0.5% for most vaccines in Texas public schools, bringing the exemption rate to 3%, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. State law allows for conscientious exemptions from vaccinations for a variety of reasons, including religious belief, according to DSHS. Chris Crookham, the immunizations unit program manager at Austin Public Health, said the pandemic may have affected the rise in exemption requests. “Because of the fear and concern around the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine, ... I think there was probably a large demand or a large request in exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines,” Crookham said. “That might have probably had some effect on exemptions for other vaccines as well.” Rebecca Hardy, a speech-language pathologist

and president of Texans for Vaccine Choice—an organization that aims to protect and advance vaccine choice through education and public policy—shares the same sentiment. The COVID-19 vaccine brought attention to other childhood vac- cinations that do not have “the safety or efficacy testing that you would have expected,” she said. Texas has three conditions for students’ vaccine exemptions: • If a health care provider determines a certain vaccine unsafe for the student • If the student is in the U.S. military • If they have a personal or religious belief against getting immunized “Certainly, some exemptions are legitimate, and that’s why they exist… but, of course, the more exemptions you have, the lower vaccine update you have,” Crookham said. “With a lower vaccine uptake, then there’s going to be less immunity throughout the population.” The DSHS has different immunization require- ments for different grade levels at public and private schools, and students entering kindergar- ten and seventh grade require new vaccinations. Students in those grades in Travis and Hays counties had an immunization rate of over 90%

Williamson

0.68-1.57% 1.58%-2.99% >3.00%

Travis

Bastrop

Hays

Caldwell

Comal

Guadalupe

Bexar

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

for every required vaccine. Going forward

Crookham said APH has several programs to increase vaccine accessibility, such as the Shots for Tots clinics; the Mobile Vaccine Program; and Vaccines for Children.

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY BEN THOMPSON

Psychiatric care expanding at rebuilt hospital

The Austin State Hospital reopened its doors in May following a $304.6 million makeover and will be providing brain health services to Central Texans across dozens of counties. The big picture The Austin State Hospital is the state’s oldest psychiatric hospital that rst welcomed patients back in 1861. The ASH’s rebuild came together over the past decade after a state-commissioned report found much of Texas’ psychiatric hospital network was “functionally obsolete,” and facing widespread infrastructure and care challenges. Since then, legislative eorts poured about $2.5 billion into the hospitals run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, including the ASH. Scott Schalchlin, deputy executive commis- sioner for the HHSC’s Health and Specialty Care System, called the continuing statewide hospital initiative a “turning point” for mental health treatment in Texas. “More than ever people understand this is a medical issue, and it can be treated. More people with mental illness are receptive to treatment, and more people understand that state hospitals are the last stop on that continuum, and that people that receive treatment for mental illness at that level that is most appropriate for them,” Schalchlin said.

The new Austin State Hospital has 11 courtyards with a mix of active and sensory features.

BEN THOMPSONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

The details The ASH redevelopment broke ground in 2019 as a partnership between the HHSC and Dell Medical School at The University of Texas. The new ASH, situated on about 15 acres of the state’s Triangle health care campus at 4110 Guadalupe St., now contains 240 patient rooms for inpatient psychiatric care. The HHSC expects the new facility will serve nearly 700 people per year. The three-story, nearly 382,000-square-foot ASH is broken up into 10 patient units with shared com- munity spaces. A “downtown” at the center of the ASH oers a gym, general store, cafe, bank, chapel, greenhouse and gardens, and other common areas for patients to gather and practice life skills needed upon their exit from the hospital. The rst new patients will be moving in during

A closer look

381,687 square feet

$305M redevelopment

672 annual patients served goal

240 rooms

SOURCE: AUSTIN STATE HOSPITALCOMMUNITY IMPACT

the summer. Patients are admitted to state hospitals through a screening process handled by local mental health authorities; Integral Care is Travis County’s.

MAJORLY INNOVATIVE What happens when you combine a tiny incision with a ton of innovation? Image-guided procedures performed by our interventional radiologists to treat problems that might otherwise require surgery. And with more than 100 subspecialized radiologists, we deliver exceptionally accurate exam results as quickly as possible. At ARA, you get a clear picture of your health. Imagine that.

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

∙ Get updated vaccines ∙ Ask learning and behavioral questions ∙ See a full picture of your child’s health ∙ Complete sports paperwork

ARCcheckup.com Book now

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY HANNAH NORTON

Over 1M Texas kids cut from Medicaid

Navigating Medicaid cuts Texas accounts for nearly one quarter of the children removed from Medicaid since the "unwinding" process began in April 2023.

Over 2 million Texans have lost health care coverage since the state began reviewing Medicaid eligibility in April 2023—including 1.3 million children. The state- and federally funded program provides health insurance for certain low-income Texans, including children, pregnant and postpar- tum women, people with disabilities, and seniors. The big picture Nearly 74% of the children removed from Texas Medicaid through March 11 were cut for procedural reasons—meaning the state did not have enough information to confirm the child’s eligibility—the Texas Health and Human Services Commission reported. Joan Alker, the executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said that means the renewal process has broken down in some way and either the renewal letter was lost in the mail or families had trouble completing the paperwork.

Texans are notified at least 10 days before their coverage ends, a HHSC spokesperson said. Texas has removed more children from Medicaid than any other state during the Medicaid “unwind- ing” process, according to a new Georgetown University report. Nationwide, 4.16 million children lost Medicaid coverage from April-December 2023. What they’re saying Dr. Kimberly Avila Edwards, an Austin pediatri- cian, said the impacts of Medicaid unwinding are “painfully visible” to pediatricians every day. “Families are foregoing vital care for their chil- dren and teens for fear of financial devastation. Par- ents are checking in for their child’s appointments, only to learn that child is no longer covered,” said Edwards, who is also a professor at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas. Patients who experience gaps in health coverage are more likely to experience delayed medical care, unmet medical and mental health needs, and

Texas: 24% Florida: 14% Georgia: 7% California: 5% All other states: 50%

4.16M children

SOURCES: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES, TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION, U.S. CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

unfilled prescriptions, Edwards said. To appeal a decision about Medicaid coverage, Texans can visit a local eligibility office; call 211 and select option 2; or mail a letter to the Texas health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027.

A LIFE WELL LIVED. A LIFE WELL EARNED.

Experience the highest levels of hospitality and care at Belmont Village. Through collaboration with top healthcare institutions and universities like University of Texas Health Science Center, our evidence-based health and wellness programs keep seniors thriving.

BelmontVillage.com/Lakeway | 512-253-8507

LAKEWAY

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

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 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24-25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48

communityimpact.com