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ROUND ROCK EDITION
HOME EDITION 2023
VOLUME 18, ISSUE 11 JULY 11 AUG. 4, 2023
Kalahari adds new waterpark slides, amenities
6
Safety upgrades coming to roads in Round Rock
Transportation
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HOME EDITION 2023
Real estate data
17
Realtor Kat Bolton began purchasing a new home in Hutto in January and plans to close in July. (Nell Carroll/ Community Impact)
Restaurant approaches 20 years in Round Rock
Builders use incentives to combat barriers to home-buying
30
Pull the newest teaser from CC Libraries
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
costs on top of a $7,500 incentive. “I did decide to do upgrades, but that wasn’t anything that was included,” she said. “The incentives themselves were really bene cial.” Bolton said that within the 2023 home market, these kinds of incen- tives are making it easier to over- come barriers to home ownership. Among these barriers, an upward
trend in interest rates and prices has resulted in a slowdown for new home construction com- pared to the boom of new hous- ing over the past three years. As one example, permits for new single-family homes in Hutto fell 65% from 2021 to 2022, when inter- est rates were raised. The trend is CONTINUED ON 28
When Kat Bolton, a Realtor with Central Metro Realty, started the home-buying process in Hutto in January, she said it really helped that her builder o ered her nan- cial incentives. Her builder, Ashton Woods, used its in-house lending arm to o er 3% of her loan amount toward closing
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
THIS ISSUE
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Amy Leonard Bryant SENIOR EDITOR Brian Rash REPORTERS Carson Ganong, Brooke Sjoberg, Chloe Young GRAPHIC DESIGNER Gloria Gonzalez ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Ste anie Bartlett METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Travis Baker MANAGING EDITOR Amy Denney COPY EDITOR Kasey Salisbury SENIOR ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Haley Grace CONTACT US 16225 Impact Way P ugerville, TX 78660 • 512 989 6808 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES rrknews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING rrkads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM AMY: We hear that many of our readers enjoy reading our real estate news coverage, hyperlocal market data and neighborhood features. We cover real estate in our newspaper and at communityimpact.com, but every July we dive even deeper into local housing trends in our annual Real Estate Edition, now called the Home Edition. What a wild ride we have been on with the housing market the past few years. You can count on Community Impact to keep you updated with our residential and commercial real estate news coverage throughout the year. Amy Leonard Bryant , GENERAL MANAGER
FROM BRIAN: We are still seeing residual e ects of the housing market even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wane. One of the recent trends involves the production of new homes. In this issue’s front-page story, Reporter Brooke Sjoberg examines the reasons why homebuilders in Round Rock, P ugerville and Hutto are still facing challenges from material costs to interest rate increases. Brian Rash, SENIOR EDITOR
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • JULY 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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ROUND ROCK
KALAHARI BLVD.
WYOMING SPRINGS DR.
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KENNEY FORT BLVD.
Bank of America
The Bee Supply
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COURTESY BANK OF AMERICA
BROOKE SJOBERG/COMMUNITY IMPACT
FOREST CREEK DR.
620
tive. Build-A-Bear Workshop allows cus- tomers to select from a variety of plush animals, clothing and other accessories to create the toys. The store is located on Lobby Level 2, next to Zakanaka Kids inside the resort. 877-525-2427. www.kalahariresorts.com 5 A third Round Rock location of fitness studio Hotworx opened May 16. The fitness studio is part of a new strip center located at 17420 N. RM 620, Ste. 120, Round Rock. The virtually instructed fitness studio offers a range of courses including yoga, Pilates and cycle fitness, all of which are all carried out within an infrared sauna. Hotworx is open 24/7 and offers unlimited access to members. 512-309-1475. www.hotworx.net
branch had to close for more than a year because a March 2022 tornado caused significant damage to the bank’s exterior. 512-310-5400. www.bankofamerica.com 3 Beekeeping supply shop The Bee Supply opened April 17 at 1205 Round Rock Ave., Ste. 119, Round Rock. The store stocks live bees and queens, hives, tools, and other necessi- ties for novice and professional bee- keepers alike. The Bee Supply also offers classes for beginner and intermediate experience levels. 800-356-4229. www.thebeesupply.com 4 A Build-A-Bear Workshop store opened in late May at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, 3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock, according to a resort representa-
DOUBLE CREEK DR.
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TM; © 2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. MAP NOT TO SCALE N
ROUND ROCK NOW OPEN 1 620 Liquor , located at
opened in late April. The liquor store car- ries a variety of wine, spirits, beer, energy drinks, cigars, e-cigarettes and cartridges. 512-660-5038. Facebook: 620 Liquor 2 The Bank of America branch at 2651 S. I-35, Round Rock, held a grand reopening celebration May 22. The
17420 N. RM 620, Ste. 130, Round Rock, between Hotworx and Pet Supplies Plus,
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19832 Panther Drive, Pflugerville, TX 78660 PROJECT COMPLETION SUMMER 2023
LEE IDOM • Z TEAM 512-993-0071 panthercommercialpark@gmail.com SCAN HERE FOR DETAILS
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY BROOKE SJOBERG
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8
My Pet’s Brace
Unicorniverse European Bakery & Cafe
The Kalahari water park expansion includes nine new slides for younger children and a 900-foot lazy river. (Amy Bryant/Community Impact)
COURTESY MY PET’S BRACE
COURTESY UNICORNIVERSE EUROPEAN BAKERY & CAFE
COMING SOON 8 Unicorniverse European Bakery & Cafe , owned by Eve and Hunter Sexton, is scheduled to open by the end of July at 2400 S. I-35, Ste. 130, Round Rock. The plant-based bakery specializes in French macarons, pastries and gourmet cakes. 512-585-2070. Facebook: Unicorniverse Bakery 9 Juniper Pediatrics , a pediatric direct primary care practice owned by Dr. Hana Zibdeh-Lough D.O., will open in July at 2631 Gattis School Road, Ste. 160, Round Rock. The clinic will implement a membership-based model with 30- to 60-minute appointment times, telemed- icine, and same- and next-day appoint- ments. www.juniperpeds.com
6 My Pet’s Brace , a Pennsylvania-based custom animal orthotic and prosthetic maker, opened its first Texas location May 23 at 2100 Double Creek Drive, Ste. 200, Round Rock. While the business mainly caters to dogs, office manager Megan Pujol said the com- pany has assistive devices available for a variety of animals. 512-677-4603. www.mypetsbrace.com 7 A Pet Supplies Plus store opened June 9 in the Pointe on 620 shopping center at 17420 N. RM 620, Ste. 150, Round Rock. Pet Supplies Plus offers a variety of pet food, accessories, groom- ing tools and baked treats. 512-831-7290. www.petsuppliesplus.com
FEATURED IMPACT EXPANSION Kalahari Resorts & Conventions celebrated the opening of its water park expansion June 21. The expansion includes a water play area called Bug’s Burrow, which features nine water slides, as well as a 900-foot lazy river and an 1,100 square-foot swim- and walk-up bar for adults. Located at 3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions boasts the largest indoor water park in Texas and o ers a
variety of resort amenities, including a spa and restaurants. 877-525-2427. www.kalahariresorts.com/texas
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KALAHARI BLVD.
KENNEY FORT BLVD.
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • JULY 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
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GREENLAWN BLVD.
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PFLUGERVILLE
Cheesy Bite Pizza Wings & Kebabs
L&L Donuts
BRIAN RASH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
BRIAN RASH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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3 Nonprofit health clinic network CommUnityCare opened the Pflugerville Health Center on June 10. Located at 2700 W. Pecan St., Ste. 450, Pflugerville, the new 15,000-square-foot clinic expands access to medical and dental services for patients in Travis County, including low-income and uninsured residents of Pflugerville. In addition to offering family medicine, the expanded Pflugerville health center offers dental care for children and adults, women’s health services, and mental health services. 512-978-9840. https://communitycaretx.org COMING SOON 4 Family Care Center , a clinic offer- ing behavioral health services, plans to expand in the Austin area this summer with locations in Pflugerville, Central Austin and Cedar Park in July, August and
September, respectively, per a June 7 press release. The Pflugerville location will open in July at 1601 E. Pflugerville Parkway, Ste. 200. The clinic offers individual, family, couples and marriage counseling; medication management; and other specialties. www.fccwellbeing.com 5 After a little more than a year operating out of an ice cream cone- shaped building at 2700 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville, Little Italy Brick Oven Pizza closed up shop and will relocate to nearby City Limits Bar. Little Italy opened in March 2022, and owner Robert Griffin said injuries resulting from a car crash forced him to temporarily close operations April 15. Griffin said he is now working to open a brick-oven trailer by mid-Au- gust on the grounds of City Limits Bar, located at 15601 Vision Drive, Pflugerville. www.littleitalybrickovenpizza.net
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PFLUGERVILLE NOW OPEN
wraps. Cheesy Bite also sells garlic bread, puff pastries, ice cream, cakes and wraps. 737-279-5536. www.thecheesybite.com 2 L&L Donuts opened May 12 at 1300 W. Pflugerville Parkway, Ste. 350, Pflugerville. The doughnut shop’s menu includes kolaches, doughnuts, tacos, sandwiches, coffee, and soft drinks. It’s open daily from 4:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 512-977-8658
1 Cheesy Bite Pizza Wings & Kebabs opened May 29 at 1300 W. Pflugerville Parkway, Ste. 330, Pflugerville. Co-owner Sam Prasla said the Cheesy Bite menu com- bines traditional pizza and chicken wing options with Middle Eastern fare, including Seekh kebab over rice plates and gyro
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
COMPILED BY BRIAN RASH
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HUTTO
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Geaux 360 Photo Booth COURTESY GEAUX 360 PHOTO BOOTH
Paw Haven Animal Hospital
1660
COURTESY PAW HAVEN ANIMAL HOSPITAL
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The pizza chain offers pizza, pasta and sandwiches for carryout and delivery. www.dominos.com 2 A new veterinarian clinic called Paw Haven Animal Hospital will open in July at 531 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Ste. 140, Hutto. Owner Amber Breclaw said the full-ser- vice veterinary hospital will be locally owned, and she and her staff look for- ward to building relationships with new dog and cat patients and their families. www.pawhavenhutto.com NAME CHANGES 3 Big Red Express Car Wash, located at 447 Chris Kelley Blvd., Hutto closed June 4 and will reopen in August at the same address as Tommy’s Express Car Wash , according to information from the
company. The Hutto car wash originally opened in August 2019. Tommy’s offers various monthly subscriptions and wash packages. www.tommys-express.com CLOSINGS 4 Hippo Pharmacy , located at 107 East St., Ste. A, Hutto, closed per- manently June 13. Owner Sajid Shaikh said via several social media posts that he could no longer run the pharmacy due to unexpected health challenges. Gilbert Sarmiento, owner of Quick Pharmacy, located at 701 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, said he has taken over services for customers of Hippo Pharmacy. Sarmiento said he is not keeping the Hutto location open, but Quick Pharmacy is providing free deliveries to all Hutto customers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. www.quickrx.com
MUIRFIELD BEND DR.
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HUTTO NOW OPEN
booth rental, including professional lighting and props. 210-880-5587. www.geaux360photobooth.com COMING SOON 1 A new Domino’s pizza restaurant is coming to 4909 Gattis School Road, Ste. 110, Hutto by the end of July. Domino’s franchise construction manager Jim Beason said the July goal is tentative.
A new Hutto-based company called Geaux 360 Photo Booth , which offers 360-degree photography booth services at events in Hutto and the surrounding area, began accepting appointments May 1. Owner Megan McClain said several services are provided with the
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Limit of 1 free item giveaway per household. * Scratch card free with purchase, random values from $5 to $10. ** Small bag of dog or cat food free for the first 100 neighbors, any brand. A Pet Supplies Plus gift card up to $250 † Text XXXXXXroundrock to 34653 or go to psprewards.com/roundrock 17420 Ranch Rd 620 #150, Round Rock, TX 78681 Open 7 days a week! Mon-Sat: 9am-9pm • Sun: 10am-6pm 512-831-7290 † No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Open to legal US residents, ages thirteen (13) and older. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible You could WIN Valid July 1-Oct. 31, 2023 Pet Supplies Plus Rewards members only. May be redeemed at Pet Supplies Round Rock only. One coupon per household. May not be combined with any other offer. Restrictions may apply. No cash value or cash back. Excludes gift cards, Dirty Dog Discount cards purchases. Valid on in-stock items only. Void if altered, reproduced, transferred, sold or where prohibited by law. Offer may be revoked at any time. Discount percentages will be deducted after all other eligible discounts are applied but before sales tax. Purchase minimums must be met after all other discounts are applied but before sales tax. Customer is responsible for applicable taxes. Additional restrictions if applicable. Enter code 81928 at checkout
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • JULY 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Consultants suggest several Round Rock road improvements
COMPILED BY BROOKE SJOBERG
ONGOING PROJECTS
1 A.W. Grimes Boulevard from East Palm Valley to Plateau Vista Boulevard 2 A.W. Grimes Boulevard from Tiger Trail to Timberline Drive 3 Gattis School Road from South Mays Street to Surrey Drive 4 North Mays Street from Anderson Avenue to Bagdad Avenue 5 Round Rock Avenue from I-35 North to North Brown Street 6 The interchange of La Frontera Boulevard and SH 45 N SAFETY CHANGES Round Rock o cials are working with a committee to bring safety improvements to several road projects throughout the city.
A.W. GRIMES BLVD.
CREEK BEND BLVD.
OLD SETTLERS BLVD.
35
7
8
35
TIGER TRAIL
TIMBERLINE DR.
The project team working on an update to the Round Rock transpor- tation master plan released some preliminary recommendations for safety improvements throughout the city. At a June 8 City Council meeting, project team members said the planning process is expected to conclude by the end of the summer. Speci c details are not yet available, but the Kimley-Horn-led project team recommended safety improvements for roadways including A.W. Grimes Boulevard from East Palm Valley to Plateau Vista Boulevard, North Mays Street from Anderson Avenue to Bag- dad Avenue, and Round Rock Avenue from I-35 North to North Brown Street. Cost: TBD Timeline: Planning process summer 2022-summer 2023 Funding source: city of Round Rock
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ROUND ROCK
McNeil Road turn lane Round Rock City Council awarded an engineering contract for the creation of a right-turn lane at the intersection of McNeil Road and Round Rock West Drive on June 8. Work will include the addition of a turn lane as well as a tra c signal upgrade that will make the intersection compliant with re- quirements from the Americans with Disabilities Act, city sta said.
1
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620
GEORGETOWN ST.
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SURREY DR.
LA FRONTERA BLVD.
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Cost: $152,405 Timeline: TBD
Funding source: Round Rock Transportation and Economic Development Corp.
ANDERSON AVE.
MOPAC
7 The intersection of Sunrise Road and
35
4
Old Settlers Boulevard
ROUND ROCK AVE.
8 The intersection of
BROWN ST. 5
BAGDAD AVE.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JUNE 27. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT RRKNEWS COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
Creek Bend Boulevard and Old Settlers Boulevard
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SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK COMMUNITY IMPACT
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • JULY 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Round Rock ISD
HIGHLIGHTS ROUND ROCK ISD Officials approved a $534.1 million operating budget that includes increased pay for staff and a higher estimate for recapture payments due to Texas than previous years. For fiscal year 2023-24, the $534.1 million budget is based on a total tax rate of $0.8084 per $100 valuation to fund district management and operations as well as its debt service. ROUND ROCK ISD Students and employees will see higher prices in the cafeteria during the 2023-24 school year. On June 20, trustees approved a cost increase of elementary and secondary lunch from $2.80 and $3.05 to $3 and $3.25, respectively. Prices for breakfast, adult meals and meals for students qualifying for the federal reduced-price lunch program will not increase. This is the first increase to district meal prices since the 2018-19 school year. Round Rock ISD board of trustees 300 Lake Creek Drive, Round Rock 512-464-5000 www.roundrockisd.org MEETINGS WE COVER
TEA monitoring at Round Rock ISD comes to an end ROUND ROCK ISD Texas Education Agency officials announced in June that it ended monitoring of the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees after 18 months. Board President Amber Landrum said June 22 that the decision is the culmination of a “long journey” and echoed BY BROOKE SJOBERG
Azaiez’s sentiment regarding the work of the board. TEA monitors report on the activities of the board of trustees or the superintendent. According to RRISD documents, a complaint against the district from October 2019 said previous board President Chad Chadwell did not recuse himself from discussion about a grievance against himself, alleging a conflict of interest and board overreach. Neither the district nor Faltys issued a report explaining the end of the TEA monitoring process. However, Faltys' monitoring report from April 2023 states the board had to demonstrate improvement in communication as well as implementation of its grievance process.
The TEA installed a monitor for RRISD in September 2021, announcing in December of that year the assignment of former Carroll ISD Superintendent David Faltys to monitor the district. In a June 16 news release from the district, Superinten- dent Hafedh Azaiez said he is grateful for the presence of the monitor over those months. The decision to end monitoring is a “reflection of the collective work of the board of trustees” to improve its practices and service to the community, he said in the release.
District monitoring
The events that resulted in the Texas Education Agency assigning a monitor to Round Rock ISD occurred in 2019 and impacted board operations for over 18 months.
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
October 2019 : A complaint alleging conflict of interest and board overreach is submitted to the TEA.
Sept. 15, 2021 : TEA installs monitor at RRISD.
December 2021 : Former Carroll ISD Superintendent David Faltys is assigned to monitor RRISD.
March 6, 2023 : Round Rock ISD
June 16, 2023 : The TEA announces its
officials begin working on development of exit plan with TEA officials.
monitoring of the district has ceased.
SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • JULY 2023
CITY & COUNTY
News from Round Rock & Williamson County
City seeks state grant for downtown Round Rock trail completion
Williamson County to boost operational disaster response
FUNDING TRAIL CONNECTIONS
The Heritage Trail East project is paired with the Heritage Trail West project, which has seen significant increases due to inflation and a contractor change. Planned project cost: East Projected at least $7.25 million* West $19.5 million contract, rebid early 2023 and construction began spring 2023
BY CHLOE YOUNG
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
WILLIAMSON COUNTY Officials will soon implement a new operational flood intelligence system to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergency floods. County officials signed a contract with FloodMapp, a real-time flood intelligence com- pany, on June 6 after the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved the move at a May 23 meeting. The contract enables Williamson County’s Office of Emergency Management to begin accessing FloodMapp’s ForeCast, NowCast and PostCast products, which document the extent of a flood before, during and after it takes place. The system will also be used for road closures as well as targeted alerts and evacuations. Connie Odom, the county’s director of communications and media relations, said the $750,000 project is funded by the voter-ap- proved 2019 road bond program and will be implemented this summer.
ROUND ROCK The Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department applied in June for millions in grant funds from the Texas Depart- ment of Transportation to fund the majority of the Heritage Trail East project. With a total projected cost over $7.25 million, Parks and Recreation Director Rick Atkins said during a public meeting May 25 that his depart- ment is seeking state funding to help offset the cost of the project as construction and material costs have increased significantly. The trail project will see a 10-foot-wide trail extended along a portion of Brushy Creek near downtown Round Rock between Mays and Georgetown streets. It will also add a new play- ground and a pedestrian bridge over the creek. Atkins said the potential reimbursement amount expected from an 80-20 grant—which would see TxDOT fund 80% of the project with a 20% match from the city—is around $5.8 million.
*NOT YET BID
79
CHISHOLM TRAIL RD.
35
East
620
West
N
SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
DMV DMV DMV ADDRESS: 1234 Sesame 34 Sesa St t r eet DMV ADDRESS: 1234 Sesame Street 123 Main Street 123 Main Street State law requires the Mobility Authority to use the address on file with Department of Motor Vehicles registration records. The Mobility Authority mails all bills and late notices via First-Class Mail as required by law. First-Class Mail is assumed delivered if not returned.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE Mobility Authority
Navigating the tolling landscape can be complicated. We’re the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, and we’re here to help you understand important pieces of the tolling puzzle, like what we do and how your toll bill works.
The Mobility Authority is not the only toll operator
Late payment fees do apply
The Mobility Authority is not TxTag
We accept a variety of electronic tags
There’s a reason you might get a bill in the mail even if you have an electronic tag
There are payment options everywhere
Keep your electronic tag account in good standing
We use your address on file with the DMV for bills
Learn what to do when you sell your car
Using the Pay By Mail program costs you more
WE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP
To learn more fast facts about paying your Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority toll bill, visit us at MobilityAuthority.com/tolling101.
14
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
NUMBER TO KNOW The number of people estimated to have moved to Round Rock by the city’s Planning and Development Services Department from January to June 1,182 HIGHLIGHTS ROUND ROCK The Round Rock Public Library’s reading tub, also known as the red tub, was returned to the library in June after it was painted orange to realign with new branding from the city. It is located on the second floor, near the stairwell and behind the elevator, library officials said. ROUND ROCK On June 22, city officials approved a $171,150 purchase for seven bus shelters to be installed throughout the city’s transportation system. In addition to offering shade and shelter from rain and sun, the structures will have benches. Round Rock City Council will meet July 13 and 27 at 6 p.m. 216 E. Main St., Round Rock 512-218-5401 www.roundrocktexas.gov MEETINGS WE COVER
Meadow Lake dock project to provide residents with new fishing opportunity
Round Rock officials raise rates at city pools
Not just for fishing Schematics for the fishing dock to be constructed on
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
ROUND ROCK Fishing enthusiasts will soon have a new spot to enjoy their hobby on Meadow Lake. City officials approved a construc- tion contract May 25 for the first dock to be built on the west side of one of the larger lakes in the city, said Round Rock Parks and Recre- ation Director Rick Atkins. The $299,910 project will be paid through the city’s parks improve- ment and acquisition fund, and the dock will be built by AgH2O Holdings. It will be a hinged dock, allowing it to be raised and lowered with changing water levels at Meadow Lake Park. The covered structure will have a fishing well in the middle with a platform area outside of the shaded canopy and a canoe launch platform. To support ongoing fishing activ- ity, city officials also approved an interlocal agreement with the Upper
ROUND ROCK Admission to some city of Round Rock aquatic facilities will soon see small increases. At a May 25 City Council meeting, officials approved a $2 jump in the daily admission fee, a $5 increase for individual season passes and a $10 increase for family season passes at Rock’N River Water Park along with a $1 increase in daily admission for Micki Krebsbach Pool. The increases went into effect immediately. Rick Atkins, the Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department director, said the rate increase will offset most increased expenses for the depart- ment’s seasonal aquatics team.
Meadow Lake, located in central Round Rock, include the following: • A covered area with dock seating • A well in the center of the dock for shaded fishing • An uncovered fishing area with Americans with Disabilities Act- compliant railing
MEADOW LAKE
MEADOW LAKE PARK
N
SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Brushy Creek Water Control and Improvement District for the pro- curement of a solar power option for its bubbler to oxygenate the water at Meadow Lake while the district makes some repairs to its dam.
For more details on the cost increases and how the city will use the added revenue, scan this QR code.
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • JULY 2023
AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
QUOTE OF NOTE
Paxton impeachment trial to begin Sept. 5 in Senate
NUMBER TO KNOW have set aside in a 1,030-page budget, which will fund a variety of state programs for scal years 2024 and 2025. $321B That’s how much Texas lawmakers PETER LAKE, OUTGOING CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS. LAKE RESIGNED JUNE 2. “TODAY OUR GRID IS MORE RELIABLE THAN EVER. TOGETHER WE’VE OVERCOME INSURMOUNTABLE CHALLENGES AND DELIVERED ON OUR PROMISE TO TEXANS SOMETIMES SEEMINGLY THAT WE’D KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.” UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS
BY HANNAH NORTON
A TIMELINE OF THE IMPEACHMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON
After two days of discussions behind closed doors, the Texas Senate set a Sept. 5 start date for the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton and adopted rules governing the proceedings. The 31 state senators will serve as jurors, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will preside over the court, similar to a judge. Sen. Angela Paxton, R McKinney, the attorney general’s wife, must be present for the trial, but is not allowed to participate or vote, according to a resolution adopted in a 25-3 vote June 21. The attorney general is accused of bribery, conspiracy, retaliation against former employees and more. The Texas House adopted 20 articles of impeachment against him with a 121-23 vote on May 27. Paxton was immediately suspended without pay follow- ing the House vote. The Senate will decide whether he will be reinstated or permanently removed from o ce. Former secretary of state John Scott is serving as interim attorney general in the meantime. Paxton can plead guilty or not guilty to 16 articles of impeachment during the trial. A two-thirds vote is needed to convict him of any charges. Houston attorneys Tony Buzbee and Dan Cogdell will defend the attorney general during the trial. Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin, who are also based in Houston, will prosecute Paxton on behalf of the House.
FEB. 10 Paxton enters into a $3.3 million settlement agreement with four former employees who said they were wrongfully red in 2020. FEB. 21 Paxton asks the Texas Legislature to fund his settlement with taxpayer money. MARCH 8 20 House General Investigating Committee opens an investigation into Paxton and the proposed settlement. MAY 24 Attorneys present material from the investigation during a four-hour committee hearing. MAY 25 The committee unanimously adopts 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. The articles and a full transcript of the hearing are shared with House lawmakers. MAY 31 Gov. Greg Abbott appoints former Secretary of State John Scott to serve as interim attorney general. MAY 27 After four hours of debate, Texas House votes 121-23 to impeach Paxton. He is immediately suspended from o ce. SEPT. 5 The impeachment trial is scheduled to begin in the Texas Senate. State senators will serve as jurors and determine if Paxton is guilty of 16 individual charges. JUNE 21 After two days of deliberations, the Texas Senate adopts 31 rules governing the impeachment trial.
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE COMMUNITY IMPACT
REP. JAMES TALARICO District 50 Democrat Elected: 2022
Texas lawmakers clash on property tax cuts
Texas Legislature expands rearm background checks
HOUSE BILL 25 This bill is also called the
BY HANNAH NORTON
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF TAX RELIEF PLANS
Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Program. The bill is designed to help implement prescription cost savings for Texans by allowing drug wholesalers to contract with the state to import eligible prescription drugs from a Canadian supplier. HB 25 also authorizes a fee. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill June 12, and it will go into e ect Sept. 1.
After the Texas Legislature ended its regular legislative session May 29, Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to Austin for a 30-day special session to cut prop- erty taxes and increase penalties for human smuggling. The governor speci ed lawmakers should provide “lasting property tax relief for Texas taxpayers” by reduc- ing tax rates for public schools. The Texas House passed three bills May 30 that met the governor’s request and adjourned for the rest of the session. This left the Senate with two options: pass the House’s proposals or end the session without any bills being signed by the governor. Senators passed their own legislation but did not approve the House bills. All bills must be passed by both chambers to become law. Abbott said he would call a second special session to resolve the issue if lawmakers do not agree on a property tax proposal.
The Texas House and Senate advanced competing plans to cut property taxes May 30. Here’s what the two proposals could mean for homeowners. Both plans • Use $12.3B in state funds to compress school tax rates House Bill 1 • Reduce rates by $0.162 for every $100 of a home’s value Senate Bill 1 • Reduce rates by $0.10 for every $100 of a home’s value • Raise homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 Homestead exemption : the portion of a home’s value that cannot be taxed Tax rate compression : state provides money to public school districts to reduce their tax rates
BY HANNAH NORTON
Under a new law, federal law enforcement can access informa- tion about Texans with potentially harmful mental health conditions during the routine background checks completed before someone can buy a rearm. Senate Bill 728 requires county clerks to notify the Texas Depart- ment of Public Safety if a court determines an adult with a mental illness or intellectual disability is un t to go to trial, is not responsi- ble for their own actions, or needs inpatient services or residential long-term care. State Rep. Je Leach, R Plano, said the law does not impact responsible gun owners but will “[keep] rearms out of the hands of dangerous Texans who do not need to have them.” Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill June 2. It will become law Sept. 1.
REP. CAROLINE HARRIS
District 52 Republican Elected: 2022
HOUSE BILL 3014 The bill dictates that electric motor vehicles that are not equipped with an internal combustion engine and do not run on gasoline are exempt from certain exhaust requirements in Texas relating to emissions and exhaust systems. The bill passed and will be e ective Sept. 1. Sign up for our newsletter at communityimpact.com for daily updates throughout the session. SUBSCRIBE TODAY
SOURCES: TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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