Round Rock Edition | June 2024

Government

Round Rock council approves library fees for nonresidents Round Rock City Council approved an ordinance May 9 to charge nonresidents an annual membership fee to use the full services of the Round Rock Public Library, effective

Despite rain, wildfires expected this summer Though recent rainfall is tracking above last year’s totals for this time of year, the threat of wildfire remains a concern for officials as summer approaches. A spokesperson for Texas A&M Forest Service, Kari Hines, said this year’s wildfire outlook is predicted to be normal, meaning the area is expected to see wildfires this year. What we know Central Texas has seen 34% more rain so far this year than during the same time in 2023, per National Weather Service data. However, with rain comes vegetation growth, ultimately becoming a “conduit for fire” in the dry months, said Clay Shell, Williamson County assistant fire chief. As of press time, no fires have been reported in Central Texas in 2024.

Library fees

Membership length

Tier

Cost Access

Full access to all library resources Limited access to library resources and privileges Full access to all library resources

Tier 1: resident

$0

Two years

Tier 2: nonresident

$0

One year

$120 per card

Tier 3: nonresident

One year

immediately. The overview

SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The city of Round Rock removed nonresident fees in 2015, a unique decision for a library in the region, according to city officials. However, the library has seen a steady increase in nonresident patrons, according to city documents. Nearly half of the library’s visitors do not reside within the city limits of Round Rock, Senior Library Manager Geeta Halley said. The fees are an effort by the city to “strike a balance between cost and accessibility, ensuring

services remain affordable” for members of the community, city documents state. Halley said the fees will be used to help fund digital resources. “The focus needs to be on our residents,” Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan said. “The demands are getting higher. ... but at the same time it’s our citizens paying for it, not our nonresidents.”

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