CITY& COUNTY
News from Cedar Park, Leander, Travis County & Williamson County
NUMBER TOKNOW
Voters to decide on Capital Metro withdrawal
$158.8M
Cedar Park City Council
Cedar Park City Council Meets Feb. 10 and 24, March 10, 7 p.m. 450 Cypress Creek Road, Bldg. 4, Cedar Park • 512-401-5000 www.cedarparktexas.gov Leander City Council Meets Feb. 17 and March 3, 7 p.m. 201 N. Brushy St., Leander 512-259-1239 • www.leandertx.gov Travis County Commissioners Court MEETINGSWE COVER to improve mobility in Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Long is the rst Williamson County representative and the rst woman chair, according to the county. WILLIAMSON COUNTY A new bathroom will be added at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park near the disc golf and Jim Rodgers trailhead parking area. The project will be complete in early February and is funded with the 2019 voter-approved park bond, according to the county. The park is located at 3005 CR 175, Leander. will consider calling a 2022 bond election at its Feb. 10 meeting. The $158.8 million proposed bond package includes $86.6 million of transportation projects, $42.2 million of parks projects and one $30 million public safety project. The total cost includes adjustments for ination over time. The bond election would be held May 7 in addition to the mayor and three council member seats. COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS TRAVIS COUNTY Rebecca Guerrero became interim county clerk Jan. 28. Her appointment follows the retirement of Dana DeBeauvoir after 35 years in the role. Guerrero will ll the role through the end of 2022, including during the elections. Travis County residents will have an opportunity to vote on a new clerk in November. Guerrero has served in the clerk’s oce for the last 22 years. WILLIAMSONCOUNTY Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long was re-elected as the 2022-23 board chair of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization on Jan. 10. The organization works
BY TAYLOR GIRTMAN
TRANSIT OVER TIME Here are some notable events about Leander’s history in Capital Metro. citizens and for them to say, ‘Yes, we absolutely want to stay in Capital Metro’ or, ‘No, at this time we need to get out of that situation,’” Thompson said. Council Member Jason Shaw said he regretted not letting voters decide in 2019 when council last discussed withdrawal from Capital Metro. “It’s not up to me,” Shaw said. “It’s up to the voters to decide.” 1985 Capital Metro forms with the original member cities including Leander 2000 Leander voters choose to stay in Capital Metro 2007 A Park & Ride station opens in Leander SOURCES: CAPITAL METRO, CITY OF LEANDERCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER 2019 Leander City Council discusses Capital Metro withdrawal; pickup service added 2009 Leander MetroRail Red Line rail service begins 2021 Council begins discussing Capital Metro withdrawal again and requests a transit study 2022 Leander council calls election to put its participation in Capital Metro on May ballot
LEANDER The city’s continued involvement in Capital Metro will be up to voters May 7. Leander City Council voted 5-2 on Jan. 25 to call an election for voters to decide whether the city will continue participation in Capital Metro. Council Members Becki Ross and Esme Mattke Longoria voted in opposition. Leander voters will say “yes” or “no” to the question: “Shall the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority be continued in the city of Leander?” If a majority of voters say “yes,” Capital Metro service would continue, and the city would not be able to hold another Capital Metro election for ve years. If a majority of voters say “no,” service would stop, but the 1% sales tax would continue to Capital Metro to pay down an outstand- ing balance estimated to be $42 million. This cost will not be ocial until the election is complete. Ross, who also serves on the Capital Metro board, said that she could have gone either way on the vote. Mattke Longoria said the cost to leave was “a sticking point.” Council Member Na’Cole Thompson said the council’s vote to add Capital Metro to the ballot does not represent their opinions on whether to stay or go. “I really do feel it’s important for us to take it to our
County leaders ask for equal project funding
Renovations are planned at CityHall, municipal court
BY CLAIRE SHOOP
WILLIAMSON COUNTY Com- missioners are asking the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to equally fund projects in Travis and Williamson counties. This request was outlined in a Jan. 25 letter. Williamson County Commissioners Court discussed its priorities for the Mobility Authority at its Jan. 25 meeting. The letter requests the Mobility Authority aid in preserving the right of way for future projects and establish a cash reserve to fund more local projects.
BY TAYLOR GIRTMAN
CEDAR PARK The city plans to renovate two City Hall buildings and the city’s municipal court. Cedar Park City Council approved a $2.27 million construc- tion agreement Jan. 13. City Hall renovations will provide adequate workspace for a growing workforce, said Randy Lueders, the city director of engineering and capital projects. The municipal court will receive
Cedar Park City Hall is located at 450 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park. (Community Impact Newspaper sta)
new paint and carpet. The project, which is expected to last 140 days, is funded through the city’s capital improvement fund.
RISING CASES
FundingOK’d for visiting judge
Williamson County has seen an increase in mental health-related legal lings since 2014 as two psychiatric hospitals have opened.
BY CLAIRE SHOOP
Meets Feb. 15 and 22, March 1 and 8, 9 a.m. 700 Lavaca St., Austin 512-854-9020 www.traviscountytx.gov Williamson County Commissioners Court Meets Feb. 15 and 22, March 1 and 8, 9:30 a.m.
2014 2021
WILLIAMSON COUNTY To address an increase in men- tal health-related cases, commissioners approved funding Jan. 18 for up to $250,000 for a visiting judge. The visiting master judge would be a contractual position with the county and work in County Court at Law No. 4, which handles civil mental health cases. The approved funding, which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, would also cover expenses for a visiting court reporter, Commissioner Valerie Covey said.
+342%
318
+109% +875% +420%
72
26
Protective custody hearings 11 23
4 39
5
Applications for temporary mental health services
Applications for forced medication
Final commitment hearings
710 S. Main St., Georgetown 512-943-1100 • www.wilco.org
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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