Council members (term expiration)

How council members are paid

The position is voluntary, though council members are reimbursed for travel, meals, conferences and other items directly relating to their role on City Council. Expenses cannot exceed the $10,500 allotted in the budget. Council members are elected to three-year terms.

Meetings

Leander City Council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Thursday of every month.

  • Pat Bryson Municipal Hall, 201 N. Brushy St., Leander

Top decisions of 2012

  • Incentive agreement extension — In March, City Council extended a 10-year, $3 million tax rebate deal with the Gateway at Leander shopping center by five years, so long as the developer builds 10,000 square feet of retail space by September 2013, along with other requirements. New property owner AMS Real Estate is expected to break ground in the early part of this year in order to meet the first incentive deadline.
  • Annexations — The city grew by 2,325 acres through six voluntary annexations during 2012, with an additional 1,289 acres of involuntary annexations approved by council on Jan. 17. The city is now about 15 percent larger than in 2011.
  • Planning for new homes — On May 3, council established a municipal utility district for Crystal Falls West, set to begin construction during 2014 on the first of roughly 3,000 new homes. Council approved terms for similar infrastructure July 19 for the Reagan's Overlook project, a 188-lot subdivision on the northeast corner of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and FM 2243.
  • Randalls development agreement — Grocery store chain Randalls solidified plans to build in Leander with a development agreement signed Oct. 4 by City Council. The city reduced $140,000 in permitting fees for Randalls, which must open by early 2016, following the completion of the Lakeline Boulevard extension.

Top issues for 2013

  • Lakeline Boulevard extension — Although a Williamson County project, the city has been heavily involved in plans to extend Lakeline Boulevard from Crystal Falls Parkway to Old FM 2243, City Manager Kent Cagle said. Construction on the 15-mile roadway is planned for the spring with completion in about one year, according to the county. The road is expected to make way for Randalls and a new 1,000-home subdivision called Mason Ranch.
  • Retailer recruitment — The city hopes to attract and entice commercial developers who will ultimately create more retail space in Leander. Cagle said an ideal location for such activity is the corner of Crystal Falls Parkway and Toll 183A.
  • Residential development agreements — In 2012, development agreements helped spur residential activity. Cagle said he hopes to continue the trend in 2013. He said he expects at least two large residential agreements of at least 500 acres each to pass before council, as well as several smaller agreements.
  • Tax base growth — Through more annexations, both independent and linked to development agreements, the city could increase its tax base and area in 2013. Cagle said voluntary annexations are sure to come as well as some involuntary annexations.