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Bastrop Cedar Creek Edition VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7 SEPT. 27 OCT. 28, 2025
Bastrop tackles ood hazards
By Joel Valley
10
Critical sites located within Bastrop County areas susceptible to ooding include re stations, a hazardous materials facility, an electric substation, wastewater lift stations, wastewater treatment facilities, water well facilities, pipeline infrastructure and schools. SOURCE: BASTROP COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLANCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Bastrop Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland points to a high-risk ood zone during a Project Identi cation Exercise that will help dictate future mitigation e orts across the city. (Courtesy city of Bastrop)
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
PROTECT BASTROP’S WATER!
TO JOIN THE AUSTIN AQUIFER STORAGE PROJECT CONVERSATION AND KEEP UP TO DATE, SEND YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION TO: INFOCITYOFBASTROP.ORG
1311 Chestnut Street | Bastrop, Texas 78602 | 512-332-8800 info@cityofbastrop.org | www.cityofbastrop.org
3
BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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Stephen Lee serving on panel for the Bastrop County Fatherhood Summit
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
About Community Impact
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.
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5
BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
HAWTHORNE ST.
Impacts
GORDON ST.
Coming soon
BUTTONWOOD ST.
5 HTeaO Bastrop will soon have its rst HTeaO location. Construction on a 2,078-square-foot HTeaO location will begin later this year. The project is estimated to cost $950,000. 95
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290
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FISHERMAN'S PARK
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1
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• Opening mid-to-late 2026 • 532 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop • www.hteao.com
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150
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WALNUTST.
AUSTINST.
Relocations
21
EMILE ST.
4
71
6 Victory Tickets Rick and Christy Rivera have connected residents in the Bastrop area to sports, concerts and theater events since 2016. Now, their family-owned business will soon move from 808 Spring St. in Bastrop to a new MARTIN LUTHER KING DR. 71 71
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71
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storefront on College Street. • Relocating in early October • 907 College St., Bastrop • www.victorytickets.com
MAP NOT TO SCALE
N TM; © 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In the news
111
3 Popcorn Love Popcorn Love in Elgin, owned by Leroy and Tometra Hargrove, o ers a variety of gourmet popcorn with sweet, savory and classic avors. • Opened August • 11 N. Main St., Elgin • Facebook: Popcorn Love 4 White Box Crispy Chicken Lifelong Bastrop residents Gail Greene-Simms and Michal Simms o er seasoned chicken, gizzards, liver, burgers and more. • Opened July 1 • 426 Hwy. 21 W., Cedar Creek • 512-409-3388 111
7 Sames Bastrop Ford Texas’ oldest dealership has o ered a range of vehicles while also serving the surrounding community for 115 years. Sames now o ers 11 brands at 13 locations throughout South and Central Texas. • 1115 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop • www.samesbastropford.com 8 First United Methodist Church of Bastrop Spanning a full city block in Bastrop’s downtown, the congregation is celebrating 100 years in the current sanctuary and the 175th anniversary as a church. The church recently welcomed the Rev. David Felps as its new pastor.
Now open
1 N28 Ristorante & Pizzeria The mini-chain restaurant o ers Southern Italian food using family recipes. • Opening by late September • 1006 Main St., Bastrop • www.numero28austin.com 2 Greenleaf Gatherings Local business owner Emma Marquez o ers customizable oral designs with specialty owers for individuals and large events, using environmentally friendly practices. • Opened Aug. 30 • Inside Black & White Interiors, 1015 Main St., Bastrop • Instagram: Greenleaf.Gatherings
• 1201 Main St., Bastrop • www.fumcbastrop.org
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6
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL & JOEL VALLEY
Closings
In the news
9 Tough Cookie After nearly 15 years, owners Chris and Jennie McEwan will close the inclusive eatery, which o ered vegan and gluten-free options in downtown Bastrop. • Closing Sept. 30 • 1003 Main St., Bastrop • www.toughcookiebakery.com
Worth the trip
Fright Bite The horror-themed South Austin food truck o ers Mexican dishes with a twist. Owner Omar Penilla said the business is inspired by his son, Jordan Alexander Penilla, who has a dream to become a horror movie director. • Opened Aug. 1 • 2801 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Austin • Instagram: fright_bite
Community Impact Community Impact celebrates 20 years as a company in September. Founded in P ugerville, owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched the rst Community Impact newspaper in the Round Rock-P ugerville market in September 2005 with a cover story about the rst toll roads in the Austin area. Today, the company has more
than 200 employees supporting 40 hyperlocal editions in Texas, printing and distributing more than 2.5 million newspapers a month. Community Impact has a strong print and digital presence, including a daily email newsletter, to serve readers with free news and help local businesses thrive. • www.communityimpact.com
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Government
BY JOEL VALLEY
Bastrop Chamber hosts State of the City dinner Hundreds led into the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center on Sept. 8 for the State of the City dinner—an event where City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino discussed key milestones and future goals for the community. Zooming in With those focus areas in mind, she cited several projects she is hopeful will come to fruition, including Bastrop West—a development that would be located at the intersection of Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 71. “It will have an area for a medical mall, which is a hospital and clinics,” Carrillo-Trevino said. “It will have an area for a hotel and convention center. It will have an area for outdoor entertain- ment. It will have an area for outdoor concerts and youth elds.” The mixed-use development, she highlighted,
New dates for Bastrop council meetings Bastrop City Council will soon operate under a new schedule after amending its rules of procedures during a meeting Aug. 26—a change made after House Bill 1522 took e ect Sept. 1. Long story short Although regular meetings have been held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, they will be held on the rst and third Tuesday of each month beginning in October, according to city documents. “The requirement is Wednesday, so agen- das will be out to the public on Wednesday of the week,” Place 4 council member Kerry Fossler said during the meeting. “I just want the people to know because those are some pretty signi cant changes.”
City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino focused on seven areas during her presentation, including:
Stewardship of public nance Heritage and history
Managing growth
Resident engagement and transparency Infrastructure improvements
Quality of life
Attracting quality employers
SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROP COMMUNITY IMPACT
would be situated on about 400 acres. Also of note
When a new convention center does come online, the long-term plan is for the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center to be repurposed into a recreation center. “But I want to make sure that it is in good condition rst,” Carrillo-Trevino said. “The last thing I want to do is turn over a building that is in disrepair that we’ve not managed to upkeep well.”
Commissioners to consider county opposition to ASR
Groundwater Conservation District—an agency the Texas Legislature created to protect the water supply for residents in Bastrop and Lee counties. “His comment was that he would like to see the groundwater districts have some kind of permitting authority as it relates to these projects,” Beckett said. “The legislature charged groundwa- ter districts and charged them with a number of things—one being protection of the aquifers.”
Bastrop County o cials will continue to discuss a potential resolution stating commissioners’ opposition to Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project at a future meeting after tabling the item Sept. 8. The details Precinct 2 Commissioner Clara Beckett noted a recent conversation she had with the Lost Pines
Emily Ra erty, an Austin Water sta member, discusses Austin’s planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
5 Riverside Middle School Schedule: October 2024-December 2025 Scope of work: 60,000-square-foot campus addition, new competition gym and fine arts facilities Status: 55% complete 6 Creekside Middle School Schedule: October 2024-December 2025 Scope of work: 60,000-square-foot campus addition, new competition gym and fine arts facilities Status: 50% complete 7 Bastrop High School Schedule: May 2025-December 2027 Scope of work: 38,000-square-foot addition in permitting phase, new classroom wing and continued renovations Status: 11% complete 8 BISD police and operations facility Schedule: January 2025-March 2026 Scope of work: 55,000-square-foot facility to serve police administration, maintenance, custodial, groundskeeping, warehouse and the district’s print shop Status: 42% complete
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CHAMBERS ST.
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3 5
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304
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OLD AUSTIN HWY.
20
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VOSS PKWY.
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
Track the latest on BISD bond projects
In August, Bastrop ISD marked the opening of its newest elementary school, Adelton—one of several projects funded by more than $500 million in bond initiatives approved in 2021 and 2023.
2 Mina Elementary Phase 2 Schedule: January 2025-May 2026 Scope of work: 35,500-square-foot campus expansion Status: 34% complete 3 4 Bastrop and Cedar Creek Middle School expansions Schedule: December 2024-December 2025 Scope of work: 21,000-square-foot addition to each campus Status: 45% complete
Bond projects
1 Adelton Elementary School Schedule: June 2024-August 2024 Scope of work: new 105,000-square-foot elementary school Status: 100% complete
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BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Bastrop tackles flood hazards From the cover
2018 Federal Emergency Management Agency Base Level Engineering Map
What residents should know
Bastrop city o cials and local experts are working together to identify unmapped ood hazards that may pose risks for community members and developers. A Project Identi cation Exercise was held June 25 at Bastrop City Hall to discuss protecting the oodplain, reducing runo and maximizing long-term resilience, as developments continue throughout the area. “Participants at the workshop shared recurring concerns about limited public understanding of oodplain management, development impacts and local drainage issues,” according to a report spurred by the workshop. O cials noted that the workshop was necessary to prevent a moratorium on new development permits when a severe rain event happens—an action council members took in 2018-19 when previously undeveloped areas that had never ooded before were inundated with precipitation.
E R WOODDR.
Bastrop
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Bastrop city boundary Low to moderate risk (0.2% flood zone) High risk
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COLORADO RIVER
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(1% flood zone) Problem areas
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SOURCES: CITY OF BASTROP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY JOEL VALLEY
The details
What else?
between city officials and the general public,” according to the report. For Bastrop, the focus includes identifying: • The difference between base-level engineering and flood insurance rate maps, how to interpret them, and how they can be utilized • Local drainage challenges and responsibilities • Flood insurance options and affordability • Regional and local risk mitigation measures
During an Aug. 12 council meeting, Elizabeth Wick—a project engineer with the city of Bastrop— highlighted objectives spurred by the workshop, such as floodplain education and outreach for local leaders and residents, and a framework for “resilient development” with green infrastructure opportunities. “Multiple data sources, unknown personal risks and confusing drainage decisions all suggest a need for improved education and outreach
The city of Bastrop is one of 11 participating jurisdictions in the Bastrop County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and Federal Emergency Management Agency require communities to adopt a hazard mitigation action plan to be eligible for the full range of pre-disaster and post-disaster federal funding. Although the Bastrop County Hazard Mitigation Plan was last updated in 2022, FEMA recently released its preliminary flood insurance rate maps for residents and business owners in the cities of Bastrop, Elgin and Smithville, as well as those in the unincorporated areas of Bastrop County, to review. It will also be a tool that Bastrop officials will rely on in the coming weeks, months and years as they continue their work toward building a safer community.
Summary of historical flood events, January 1996-2021
Number of events
Jurisdiction
Deaths
Injuries
Property damage
Crop damage
Bastrop County City of Bastrop
62
1 1
115
$20,334,206 $3,818,900
$322,599
15 12 11
0 0 0
$0 $0 $0
City of Elgin
0 0
$26,396
City of Smithville
$0
Total losses
100
2
115
$24,502,101
SOURCE: BASTROP COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Zooming in
“The last massive rainstorm that flooded our city [was] because of unmanaged drainage in the city. ... [The ditches] were cleaned out, but that was enough years ago that it might be time to do that again.” JOHN KIRKLAND, BASTROP MAYOR PRO TEM
Bastrop City Council approved an amendment to its Bastrop Code of Ordinances on Aug. 26 to adopt a 50% credit, which will allow property owners or developers to reduce their total calcu- lated impervious surface area. Wick said the parties will also be required to file a maintenance agreement for the drainage facil- ities with the County Clerk’s Office and submit a biennial inspection report to the city to ensure the facilities are properly maintained. “There is currently no such agreement or
Residents can sign up for local weather alerts
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inspection report required, which leaves the city in a precarious position during a flood event,” Wick said.
SOURCE: CAPITAL AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
TREATS 707 Highway 71 W, Bastrop, TX, 78602
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BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Transportation
Development
BY JOEL VALLEY
BY JOEL VALLEY
6 months of delays ahead for Loop 150 bridge Motorists traveling through Bastrop can expect a new traffic pattern when crossing the Colorado River via the Loop 150 Bridge. Two-minute impact The move is necessary to accommodate the construction for the rehabilitation of the adjacent Old Iron Bridge, according to officials. “The Loop 150 Bridge will shift eastbound traffic into the center lane and close the lane closest to the Old Iron Bridge,” the city of Bastrop said in an announcement posted to social media. “The pedestrian walk will remain open. The adjust- ment, which does not include changes to west- bound traffic, is expected to last approximately six months, according to officials. Some context A kickoff event was held for the Old Iron
Bastrop denies North End Prairie appeal Bastrop City Council denied a vested rights appeal for North End Prairie after residents voiced their concerns about the development during a council meeting Aug. 19. Zooming in In early March, developers of North End Prairie submitted a vesting determination, also known as a “grandfathering request.” Five items were requested to be vested, including: • Parking: one parking spot per bedroom • Flood protection: reduction of impervious cover from 60% to 50% • Additional dwelling units: must meet parking and flood protection ratios • Tree protections: caliper inches were increased to align with the city of Bastrop Tree City
Residents ramp up for rodeo renovations Bastrop city staff will develop a compre- hensive plan for the Rodeo Arena at Mayfest Park, 25 American Legion Drive, Bastrop, after discussing with residents what improvements they would like to see. In a nutshell During a town hall meeting Sept. 3, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino shared survey results, which suggested additional upgrades ranging from concessions and seating to parking, lighting and more. Stay tuned The amendments will be taken to Plan- ning & Zoning for consideration Oct. 3, and a public hearing will be held at Bastrop City Council on Oct. 28.
LINDEN ST.
More transportation news
Follow these stories online
150
1 Bastrop plans ‘monumental’ street renovations Bids will continue through September for the reconstruction of Linden, Farm and Water streets. A contract is expected to be awarded in October. 2 Bastrop may extend impact fee, streets as city grows Bastrop City Council will consider an amendment to its roadway impact fees ordinance in October, which charges developers for the construction of new streets. 3 CARTS launches all-in-one app for Central Texas riders Launched in August, the app affords riders more options and can be downloaded on most devices.
C H A N A N S T .
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SOURCE: CITY OF BASTROP/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Designation and reduce environmental heat • Tree survey: required and cannot be older than 2 years old Officials, who reviewed applicable regula- tions and sought guidance from legal counsel, determined that additional dwelling units, tree protections and tree survey could be vested, while parking and flood protection could not, according to city documents. The applicant received notice March 28 and appealed the decision July 23, according to city documents.
Bridge project July 26. The rehabilitation will cost $10.1 million and feature several improvements in addition to modern decorative lighting, including a concrete deck, the addition of steel truss compo- nents and railing. Notable quote “We’re going to get it done, and we’re going to get it done on time,” Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said during the kickoff event.
BASTROP 739 State Hwy 71 (512) 308-0250
ELGIN 1100 US-290 (512) 285-2741
GIDDINGS 1920 E Austin St (979) 212-4031
𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂 . 𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍𝐍 𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋 . 𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐂 .
Though our logo has changed slightly, our commitment to providing safe, reliable water and outstanding service to our members and community remains the same.
ELGIN
EXTENSION PROJECT
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COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION The Mobility Authority is considering improvements to US 290, between SH 130 and SH 95 South. Share your comments about the future of US 290 through our virtual Community Listening Session.
SESIÓN DE ESCUCHA COMUNITARIA La Autoridad de Movilidad está considerando mejoras a la US 290, entre SH 130 y SH 95 Sur. Comparta sus comentarios sobre el futuro de la US 290 a través de nuestra Sesión de Escucha Comunitaria virtual.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Nonpro t
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Smithville museum of the macabre keeps Halloween spirit alive Since 2022, father-son duo Norm and Tyler Glenn have conjured creepy curiosities at Smithville’s Texas Halloween History Museum—and their cauldron of plans is still bubbling. The origins Tyler Glenn said the idea for the museum began when he and his father discovered there were no museums dedicated to preserving Halloween relics. “Many of these items were never intended to last, so we felt that if we didn’t step in to preserve them, they would disappear forever,” he said. The o erings Now, the nonpro t museum provides a glimpse into the origins and evolution of the holiday—trac- ing it back 6,000 years. Tyler Glenn said many artifacts, which are sourced worldwide, come with fascinating back- stories, including an 1800s-era haunted organ from Paramount Studios. “The studio eventually removed it because of the number of accidents that occurred around it,” he said. “Even today, we nd a dead bird near the organ about once a month.” Others include Jack-o’-lanterns and costumes from the early 1900s, a haunted talisman and more. The future The museum is spread across three buildings, but the Glenns are plotting a larger lair lled with more artifacts, workshops and a year-round Hallow- een-themed cafe.
Paranormal investigations, guided tours and special events are o ered on select nights.
PHOTOS COURTESY TEXAS HALLOWEEN HISTORY MUSEUM
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SPLIT RAIL LN.
281
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149 Split Rail Lane, Bldg. 23, Smithville www.texashalloweenmuseum.com
Tyler (left) and Norm Glenn started the museum in 2022.
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BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Dining
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
across the Austin metro, as recently reported by Community Impact . CI Foodie
Looking to get out of your neighborhood to try a new dining experience? Check out the following restaurant news from
Bastrop
Cedar Creek
Bastrop
Cedar’s Coppice In addition to beverages such as coffee, wine and lemonade, the eatery offers charcuteries, wraps, sandwiches, breakfast options and desserts. • Opened in early September • 709 Chestnut St., Bastrop • https://cedarsmill.wixsite.com/my-site-1
White Box Crispy Chicken Lifelong Bastrop residents Gail Greene-Simms and Michal Simms offer seasoned chicken, gizzards, liver, burgers and more. • Opened July 1 • 426 Hwy. 21 W., Cedar Creek • 512-409-3388
Horizons Coffee Bar In addition to drip and craft coffees, owners Lauren and Chris Rios serve teas, smoothies, hot chocolate and more. • Opened in early August • 146 Hwy. 21, Bastrop • www.horizonscoffeebar.com
San Marcos
Austin
Austin
Round Table Pizza The eatery serves made-to-order and specialty pizzas such as the Maui Zaui—a Polynesian-style pizza made with ham, bacon, pineapple, tomatoes and onions on a Polynesian sauce. • Opened July 31 • 140 I-35 N. frontage road, Ste. 110, San Marcos • www.roundtablepizza.com
Paperboy The new South Austin spot offers breakfast and lunch options, like sandwiches and pancakes, as well as pastries, coffee and cocktails. • Opened June 10
Postino The wine cafe Postino opened its second Austin location in Bryker Woods this August. The business offers a selection of wine and beer as well as bruschetta, paninis, salads and charcuterie boards. • Opened Aug. 4 • 1615 W. 35th St., Austin • www.postinowinecafe.com
• 1401 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin • Instagram: paperboyaustin
FM 969 CORRIDOR STUDY
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are working together to identify, evaluate, and recommend potential improvements for FM 969 (Farm to Market 969) from SH 130 in East Travis County to SH 71 in Bastrop County. CAMPO and TxDOT are conducting an open house to share community feedback, gather input on preliminary improvement options, and share next steps. The open house will include both in-person and virtual options to participate.
IN-PERSON OPEN HOUSE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, October 2, 2025 4 – 7 p.m. Spiderwood Studios 140 Utley Rd, Elgin, TX 78621
October 2, 2025 - November 3, 2025 To access the virtual open house, visit bit.ly/FM969 or use the QR code .
Comments from the public regarding the study area are requested and may be submitted by any of the methods below. All comments must be received or postmarked by November 3, 2025.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FM 969 Corridor Study Project Team FM 969 Corridor Study, c/o CD&P, PO Box 5459, Austin, TX 78763 CAMPOstudies@projectinformation.com
16
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Events
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Scream Hollow: Wicked Halloween Park Visitors can tour five haunted houses on the property, take a haunted hayride, get their fortunes told and palms read, listen to live music and more. Entry is recommended for ages 12 and older. • Through Nov. 2, Fridays through Sundays, times vary
Bastrop Boo Bash Downtown Main Street will be closed to traffic while attendees enjoy trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating, balloon art, games and more—with themed photo opportunities scattered throughout the festival.
• Oct. 31, 6-9 p.m. • Free (admission)
• Admission prices vary by package • Texas Halloween History Museum, 149 Split Rail Lane, Smithville • www.screamhollow.com
• Downtown Bastrop along Main Street • Facebook: Bastrop Boo Bash 2025
Open House & Fire Plug Unveiling Ceremony Firefighters will offer free food, tours of the fire station and more at the unveiling of the city’s oldest fire hydrant. • Oct. 10, 6 p.m. • Free (admission) • Bastrop Fire Department, 902 Chestnut St., Bastrop • Facebook: Bastrop Fire Department ArtScape: A Saturday Escape to Create Visual and performing arts will be highlighted at this day-long event near downtown Bastrop. Activities will include interactive workshops and installations, live performances, and family-friendly activities. • Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free (admission) • Historic Downtown Bastrop • www.visitbastrop.com Movies in the Park The Addams Family will be shown. Other activities will include bounce houses, kids’ games, snacks and more. Attendees should bring blankets or chairs. • Oct. 11, 5 p.m. • Free (admission) • Fisherman’s Park, 400 Farm St., Bastrop • Facebook: City of Bastrop, TX Parks & Recreation Smithville Fall Festival The city will host an afternoon to celebrate fall with live music, face painting, games, food and craft vendors, and a petting zoo. • Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free (admission) • Smithville Recreation Center, 106 Royston St., Smithville • www.ci.smithville.tx.us
show and kids’ activities will also be available. • Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Railroad Park, 109 1st St. N.W., Smithville • Facebook: Keep Smithville Beautiful Fall Festival Extravaganza Live music will accompany an afternoon of games, auctions, raffles and more with local food and craft vendors on-site for shopping. • Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • Ascension Catholic Church, 804 Pine St., Bastrop • www.ascensionbastrop.com/fall-festival Pumpkin Hunt Free wagon rides to the Christmas tree fields will lead to hidden miniature pumpkins that those attending can find and keep—two pumpkins per ticket. Pumpkin launching, train rides, a fishing pond, zip lines and more will also be available. • Oct. 4-26 (weekends only), 12-5 p.m. (Saturdays), 1-5 p.m. (Sundays) • Free (admission) • Evergreen Farms, 242 Monkey Rd., Elgin • www.evergreen-farms.com/pumpkin-hunt Little Hike Bird City Coalition members will lead attendees on a walk through the area to identify birds. A bird expert will provide information and a professional photographer will join to take photos. • Oct. 10, 8-10:30 a.m. • Free (admission) • Colorado River Refuge, 229 Riverside Drive, Bastrop • Facebook: Bird City Bastrop Texas
October
Jersey Barnyard Pumpkin Patch The farm offers pumpkins to purchase, along with activities including self-guided tours for $7 and guided tours between $9.50-$12. Attendees can buy food to feed the farm animals or bottle-feed a calf. Pumpkin painting will be offered Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon. • Through Oct. 31, Mondays-Fridays (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), Saturdays (9 a.m.-6 p.m.), Sundays 1-6 p.m. • Free (admission) • The Jersey Barnyard, 3117 Hwy. 159, LaGrange • www.texasjersey.com/pumpkin-patch Smithville Music Festival The nonprofit’s annual event will give attendees 10 live music performances over the two-day event. Food, locally made art and more will also be available. • Oct. 3, 6-10:30 p.m.; Oct. 4, noon-10:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • Downtown Smithville • Facebook: Smithville Music Festival The Pumpkin Patch Attendees can choose their pumpkins while browsing local vendors. Other activities include a kids’ activity zone, train rides, pumpkin painting and more. • Oct. 4-26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Free (children 2 and younger), $5-$60 (admission) • Community Gardens, 1067 Hwy. 71 W., Bastrop • www.cgbastrop.com Sustainable Home & Garden Show Local experts and exhibitors will offer sustainable products, all centered around Keep Smithville Beautiful’s theme of “Waste Less, Share More.” An art
17
BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
Election
BY HANNAH NORTON
Breaking down the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot
Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election. The propositions, which were adopted by state lawmakers this year, include measures aimed at reducing property taxes, funding water supply projects and creating a state dementia research institute. SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT DISCLAIMER: AMENDMENT TEXT DOES NOT REFLECT OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE.
Proposition 6
Proposition 12
Ban on securities transaction taxes HJR 4 would bar lawmakers from imposing taxes on the purchase and sale of financial assets or requiring financial market operators to pay a tax to conduct business.
Judicial oversight SJR 27 would rework the 13-member State Commission on Judicial Conduct to include six judges appointed by the Texas Supreme Court and seven citizens appointed by the governor.
Proposition 1
Proposition 7
Proposition 13
Texas State Technical College funding Senate Joint Resolution 59 would create two new funds to support the Texas State Technical College System, which has campuses statewide. Up to $52 million could be appropriated this year.
Tax exemption for military spouses HJR 133 would allow lawmakers to create a future property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from an illness related to their military service.
Increasing homestead exemption SJR 2 would raise the property tax exemption on a person’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, from $100,000 to $140,000. This would apply to taxes charged by public schools.
Proposition 2
Proposition 8
Proposition 14
Ban on capital gains taxes SJR 18 would prohibit the Texas Legislature from imposing any future taxes on capital gains, which is income received from selling an asset. Texas does not currently have such a tax.
Ban on death taxes HJR 2 would prohibit the legislature from imposing future taxes on a deceased person’s estate or an inheritance passed to their heirs. Neither tax currently exists in Texas.
State dementia research institute SJR 3 would allocate $3 billion to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. An additional $300 million would be available for dementia-related research grants.
Proposition 3
Proposition 9
Proposition 15
Tightening bail rules SJR 5 would require judges to deny bail for certain felony offenses, including murder and aggravated assault, if the state demonstrates that a defendant is a flight risk or threat to public safety.
Business tax exemption HJR 1 would exempt up to $125,000 of businesses’ personal property, such as equipment and vehicles, from taxation. Texas business owners currently receive a $2,500 exemption.
Parental rights SJR 34 would add language to the Texas Constitution stating that parents have the right to “exercise care, custody and control” of their children and determine how to raise them.
Proposition 4
Proposition 10
Proposition 16
Water supply funding House Joint Resolution 7 would send $1 billion in sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund each year from 2027-47. The state fund was formed in 2023 to finance water projects.
Homes destroyed in fire SJR 84 would allow a future state legislature to create a property tax exemption for someone rebuilding a home that is completely destroyed in a fire.
Requiring citizenship to vote SJR 37 would enshrine in the Texas Constitution that people who are not U.S. citizens may not vote in Texas elections. Only U.S. citizens are currently eligible to vote under state law.
Proposition 5
Proposition 11
Proposition 17
Animal feed tax exemption HJR 99 would allow state lawmakers, in a future legislative session, to create a property tax exemption for stores that sell animal feed.
Exemption for elderly homeowners SJR 85 asks voters to raise the property tax exemption for homeowners who are over 65 years old or have a disability to $200,000. This would apply to taxes charged by public schools.
Border security tax exemption HJR 34 would exempt increases in a property’s value from taxation if the land is along the Texas- Mexico border and the added value is due to the installation of border security infrastructure.
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Real estate
Home prices in Cedar Creek jumped 125% in August compared to August 2024, while prices in Bastrop fell during the same time period, according to Unlock MLS data. Residential market data
August 2024 August 2025
Number of homes sold by zip code
Average days on market
+3.33%
-1.39%
-28.07%
+125%
78602
78612
78602
78612
95
Homes sold by price point in August 2025
78602
71
21
78602
78612
21
0
2
$900,000+
304
78612
1
0 4
$700,000-$899,999
N
2
$500,000-$699,999
12
25 10
$300,000-$499,999
Bastrop-Cedar Creek
3
<$299,999
August
2024
2025
122
110
New listings
61
60
Closed sales
Median home sales price
Homes under contract
60 76
August
2024
2025
$371,995
$395,000
78602
MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY AUSTIN BOARD OF REALTORS AND UNLOCK MLS 512 454 7636 WWW.ABOR.COM
$370,000
$404,995
78612
An initiative of the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce. Fair, impartial, and insightful information.
BASTROPVOTES.COM
19
BASTROP CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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BASTROP - CEDAR CREEK EDITION
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