City expands license plate reader network
Round Rock City Council unanimously approved a contract with Flock Safety, a security hardware and software manufacturer, to increase the number of automatic license plate readers, or ALPRs, in the city at its meeting June 12.
The history
Right now, Round Rock utilizes 30 fixed cameras through Flock. The city has used license plate readers for crime prevention for 15 years, Police Chief Allen Banks said.
Despite criticisms of the technology, Banks said the license plate readers have helped in "high-profile cases" such as a shooting at Round Rock's Juneteenth celebration in 2024.
The details
Of the 40 additional cameras, 30 will be mobile throughout the region, and 10 will be in fixed locations throughout the city. Police will place the fixed cameras in "high-crime areas," Banks said.
Flock's license plate reading software is able to identify vehicle information, including license plate numbers, car details and visible markings like bumper stickers. RRPD will only be able to read from the rear license plate, and will retain the data for 30 days before it purges.
What they're saying
"These aren't for tracking folks," Banks said. "It doesn't tell me if you're an illegal person here in the United States. It doesn't tell me your religion—it doesn't tell me your sex orientation. That's not what it's set up for."
Parakeets damage historic water tower
The city of Round Rock is preparing for repairs to its historic water tower after invasive monk parakeets caused damage to its lighting system.
The current situation
Round Rock’s Parks and Recreation Department has installed deterrents to prevent further nesting and chewing on the tower.
The city has ordered new tank lights, totaling $35,500, which should arrive within the next few weeks, Communications Director Sara Bustilloz said.
How we got here
Monk parakeets arrived in the U.S. as pets, and over time many escaped or were released into the wild, establishing feral populations sometimes as common as pigeons.
WilCo total market value up by $14.41B
Williamson County’s total market value is $184.69 billion in 2025, according to preliminary data from the Williamson Central Appraisal District.
The big picture
Since 2024, the county’s total market value, which includes residential, commercial, multifamily and land properties, has increased by $14.41 billion, or by 8.47%.
Zooming in
In 2022, Williamson County saw record increases in property values. Median residential values in Williamson County are up slightly in 2025, but are not exceeding 2022 values, according to WCAD data.
Williamson County’s total residential value in 2025 is over $108.72 billion.
How it works
Every January, taxable property in Texas must be valued at 100% of its market value to comply with the Texas Property Tax Code. In April or May, a notice of appraised value is mailed out to inform property owners what their proposed values are for the current tax year.
Property owners may file a protest if they disagree with the proposed value by providing evidence, like comparable home sales, to support their opinion.
A new Round Rock Public Library program will allow residents to check out books and movies, as well as sign up for library cards, at parks throughout the summer.
The details
The program’s mission is to expand library services and reach more residents, according to the city.
Remaining pop-ups include:
- June 28 (Frontier Park)
- July 12 (Mesa Village)
- July 26 (Frontier Park)
- Aug. 9 (Mesa Village)
