Government
BY ANNA MANESS & GRACIE WARHURST
County hires death inquest investigators Four death inquest investigators began working for Williamson County on Jan. 10. The details The new positions will help the Justice Courts oversee unattended deaths—or deaths requiring an investigation to determine the cause, manner and time of death—throughout the county. Historically, justices of the peace have been in charge of responding to death inquests. Williamson County commissioners approved funding for the new positions in the scal year 2024-25 general budget. Since justices are still responsible for signing death certicates, they will work alongside investigators to ensure ample evidence exists to conrm the manner and cause of death, according to county sta .
Atmos proposed rate increase Atmos Energy Corporation’s proposed gas rates would have resulted in a roughly $8 increase to monthly bills in Round Rock.
$52.75
Total gas cost Total base rate
+14.05%
$60.16
$25.94 $25.94
0%
$84.03
Total resident average bill*
+9.41%
$91.94
Current average bill Proposed average bill
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
*INCLUDING TAXES
SOURCE: ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
Round Rock denies new gas rate increase Round Rock residents will not see an increase on their gas bill until at least April, after City Council’s vote Jan. 9 to deny Atmos Energy Corporation’s proposed base rate increase. The details Atmos’ letter of intent showed a proposed base
rate increase of about 14%. The increase would raise residential customers’ monthly bills by about 9%, or almost $8. This was Atmos’ rst attempt to increase base rates since 2018. Since then, the company has used six temporary rate hikes. The update Councils’ vote e ectively postpones the gas rate increase until April 20. Gas utility providers must le their rates with the Railroad Commission of Texas. Outside city limits, the commission sets the price a utility company can charge.
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ROUND ROCK EDITION
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