Government
BY GRANT CRAWFORD, MANUEL HOLGUIN JR. & BROOKE SJOBERG
Incumbent Morgan, Hall file for mayor The Round Rock mayor seat will be up for election this May, as the filing period for candidates to enter the race ended Feb. 13. Overview Incumbent Craig Morgan and challenger Kelly Hall each filed for the open mayoral seat. Hall was also on the March 3 primary election ballot for State House Representa- tive District 19, but withdrew from the race. Round Rock City Council Place 1 member Michelle Ly filed for re-election and will run unopposed. Similarly, Place 4 council mem- ber Frank Ortega will also run unopposed. Each member elected to council will serve a three-year term, from May 2026-2029.
Round Rock council OKs data center rezoning Round Rock City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request that will allow a Skybox data center to be built near East Old Settlers Boulevard and North A.W. Grimes Boulevard. The ordinance passed on second reading, rezoning approximately 29.69 acres from a light industrial designation to a planned unit develop- ment and establishing project-specific develop- ment standards for the site. The measure received pushback from area residents, who collected more than 3,000 signatures opposing the rezoning. Some context The property has been zoned light industrial since 2023, but has remained undeveloped. Because “data center” is not a defined use in Round Rock’s zoning code, the developer was required to seek approval through a planned unit development, or PUD, to allow the use and establish customized requirements. City officials framed the project within a broader surge of data center development across Central Texas.
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29.69 acres
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A.W. GRIMES BLVD.
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Planning and Development Services Director Brad Dushkin said one existing Round Rock data center generates property tax revenue equivalent to about 600 single-family homes while occupying a footprint similar to about 100 homes. “It only uses the water amount of 15 single-fam- ily homes, but provides the city with property tax revenue equivalent to 600 single-family homes,” Dushkin said. Officials said commercial properties make up about 8% of taxable parcels in Round Rock, but account for nearly half of the city’s property tax revenue, helping stabilize the tax base. With zoning finalized, the project will move into the city’s site development review process, where detailed plans for building placement, drainage, utilities and access will be evaluated.
Dates to know April 2: Last day to register to vote April 20: First day of early voting April 28: Last day of early voting May 2: Election day
SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
WilCo youth felony diversion program reduces arrests
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A first-of-its-kind study of the Williamson County Transformative Justice Program shows a reduction in arrest rates and jail time, according to a county news release. Researchers with the Texas A&M University’s Public Policy Research Institute presented the study and findings at a Feb. 3 Commissioners Court meeting, and commissioners authorized the district courts to apply for grant funding for the program for fiscal year 2026-27. About the program Launched in 2020, the Transformative Justice Program is a felony-diversion program for youth and emerging adults. “It dives into their lives as soon as they’re at the lowest point of their life,” District Attorney Shawn Dick said at the meeting. “For some of these kids, it’s the first time in a while someone has taken an interest in them.” The program is geared toward 17-to-24-year-olds who have committed a felony, an age group that
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Outcomes for those who graduated from the program: 48% less likely to get arrested 61% less likely to be arrested for a felony 36 fewer days spent in jail on average
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Public Safety Training Center work begins
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
is overrepresented in the criminal justice system. While this age group makes up 11% of the state population, they account for 33% of all arrests, according to county documents. What else? The program also helps reduce costs to the county from fewer days spent in jail, attorneys’ fees, court time and supervision. Estimated net savings per participant are around $1,000-$2,200 annually, according to county documents.
Construction on a $25 million expansion to the Round Rock Public Safety Training
Center began in February. What you need to know
Construction started Feb. 3. The release highlighted the expansion’s scope, stating that it will add over 6,000 square feet to the facility where firefighters, EMS staff, and police officers train. Construction is expected to conclude in 2027.
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