From City Council elections to countywide infrastructure and public safety initiatives, here are five recent updates affecting Leander and the surrounding area this February.
1. Annette Sponseller sworn in as Leander's newest City Council member
Annette Sponseller was sworn in as Leander Place 4 council member Feb. 19.
Both Sponseller and Mayor Na'Cole Thompson took the oath of office Feb. 17 after votes were canvassed. Thompson will be officially sworn in Feb. 27. Sponseller and Thompson won their seats in the Feb. 7 special election.
Continue reading here.
2. Leander moves forward with International Dark Sky Place application
Leander City Council gave the green light Feb. 19 to move forward with an application to be recognized as an International Dark Sky Place by nonprofit organization DarkSky International.
An International Dark Sky Community is a legally organized entity that has shown dedication to preserving quality views of the night sky by reducing light pollution.
According to DarkSky International, light pollution also damages ecosystems in many ways, including making it difficult for animals to hide from predators and disrupting bird migration patterns.
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3. Regional deep-water intake project a step closer to finish line
A project to draw water from the deepest parts of Lake Travis to supply the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority—which serves, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Leander—has marked another step forward, with crews recently completing upgrades to the raw waterline along Trails End Road, according to an update from the city of Leander on Feb. 5.
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4. $1M in federal funds proposed for Williamson County flood alerts
A grant from the Texas Water Development Board could allow Williamson County officials to purchase and install $1 million of flood warning equipment in areas vulnerable to flash floods.
The grant would provide outdoor warning sirens, flood gauges and sensors as well as communication software testing training, County Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said.
Continue reading here.
5. Williamson County youth diversion program cuts arrests, jail time
A first-of-its-kind study of the Williamson County Transformative Justice Program shows a reduction in arrest rates and jail time, according to a county news release.
Researchers with the Texas A&M University’s Public Policy Research Institute presented the study and findings at a Feb. 3 Commissioners Court meeting, and commissioners authorized the district courts to apply for grant funding for the program for fiscal year 2026-27.
The study found emerging adults who graduated from the program were:
- 48% less likely to get arrested
- 61% less likely to be arrested for a felony
Continue reading
here.
