Check out the latest government news from Round Rock and Williamson County that you may have missed.
1. Round Rock appoints new city manager
Brooks Bennett will take over as the new city manager of Round Rock following City Council approval at a meeting Aug. 22. He will replace Laurie Hadley when she retires in December.
The backstory
Hadley became city manager in 2015 after serving as assistant city manager for four years. She has 30 years of experience in local government in Arizona and Texas.
“I've seen firsthand the dedication and passion that Brooks has for our community, and he is absolutely the right person to lead us into the future,” Hadley said at the City Council meeting.
Read the full story.
2. Round Rock proposes water rate increase
Round Rock residents may see an increase in their utility bills Nov. 1. City Council approved the first reading of the proposed increase at its meeting Aug. 22. as part of the ongoing budget process.
What residents need to know
Director of Utilities Michael Thane recommended a base rate increase of 5% for water and 6% for wastewater for all customers for the next three years. The metered increase approach is to reduce one-year rate shock, Thane said.
Find out more about the rate proposal.
3. Round Rock to begin work later this year on North Red Bud Lane expansion
A project to expand a two-way roadway into a four-lane divided road on North Red Bud Lane in Round Rock will begin in November, according to city documents. The project is a part of the city's greater Transportation Master Plan.
The details
The project will expand the road from CR 117 to Hwy. 79. In addition, project features include improving the intersection, constructing a storm drain and adding continuous sidewalks and lighting.
Construction is scheduled to wrap up in April 2026.
Keep reading.
4. Williamson County Commissioners Court approves $635.13M FY 2024-25 budget, sets tax rate
Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a $635.13 million fiscal year 2024-25 budget and set the 2024 county tax rate at $0.399999 per $100 valuation during an Aug. 27 Commissioners Court meeting.
The breakdown
The adopted county budget can be broken down into three funds: general, road and bridge, and debt service, running $361.22 million, $73.15 million and $200.75 million, respectively.
This budget is about $75.02 million higher than the 2023-24 adopted budget of $560.11 million, according to county documents.
Learn more about the Williamson County budget.
5. Williamson County Commissioners Court discusses new buildings for justice center, jail
Williamson County Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey presented the justice center and jail strategic plan during the Aug. 20 Commissioners Court meeting.
In a nutshell
The plan proposes interim solutions as well as options for building sites as the county has outgrown its current justice center and jail and prepares for an estimated 192% growth in population over the next 20 years.
Continue reading.
