With little fanfare, the Round Rock City Council swiftly passed an ordinance to allow bars within the city limits to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. The measure was passed 7-0 on Dec. 20.

Mayor Craig Morgan said the city will revisit its noise ordinances "and get it right," before the vote was taken. No other comments were given by council members.

City Council held its first reading and vote on the ordinance change Dec. 6. Council Member Hilda Montgomery was the only member to vote in opposition to the change.

Previously bars and restaurants were only permitted to serve alcohol until midnight Sunday through Friday and until 1 a.m. on Saturday with the exception of businesses within Travis County, which are already permitted to serve alcohol until 2 a.m.

Although the ordinance change was approved, Round Rock business owners who choose to extend their serving hours must apply for a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Late Hours permit, according to TABC Public Information Officer Chris Porter. The length of time it takes for the permit to be issued varies depending on the number of applications in process at TABC but typically takes between 45 and 60 days, Porter said.

Round Rock voters Nov. 6 approved a local option election to allow all bars and restaurants within the city to serve liquor. The initiative was approved by 81 percent of the total votes.

In response to several downtown residents who voiced concern over the ordinance change citing noise concerns downtown, City Council discussed changes to the city's noise ordinance at its packet briefing Dec. 18. During the discussion, City Manager Laurie Hadley said city staff is planning to move forward with changes to the noise ordinance in January. The changes could potentially involve a permitting process for downtown businesses who want to have amplified sound outdoors. If those businesses violate the noise ordinance they could have those permits revoked, Hadley said. The city is still accepting feedback on the noise ordinance.