Early voting runs Oct. 19-30 for the upcoming Nov. 3 election. Pflugerville- and Hutto-area voters will be able to cast ballots in a number of national, statewide and local races, including those for Pflugerville City Council, Pflugerville ISD and the Hutto Justice Center bond.

What to expect: Continue reading for a guide to what is on the ballot, including links to Q&As with local candidates, and information on where to vote.

Hutto city staff presented the first cost estimates for a city-owned fire department and council approved moving forward with the staffing and apparatus procurement for Hutto Fire Station No. 1 at an Oct. 15 meeting.

The big picture: The first fire station is currently 90% designed, and the city estimates each station will cost $10 million.

The annual personnel cost per station is $1,557,450. This uses a three-platoon calculation, which divides firefighters into three rotating work groups to keep a crew available at the station around the clock.

According to the presentation, a three-station city fire department model would require an estimated $33.7 million to get started and $4.7 million every year for frontline personnel.

The why: Mayor Mike Snyder has previously stated a primary driver for creating a municipal department is capturing local sales tax revenue from large commercial projects and retaining direct control over municipal development approvals.

Williamson County property tax statements for 2026 will start being mailed the week of Oct. 19, but many residents might have to wait to receive theirs, according to a county news release.

The full story: Some adopted tax rates must still be approved by voters in the Nov. 3 election for Coupland ISD, Florence ISD, Georgetown ISD, Leander ISD and Round Rock ISD, Tax Assessor-Collector Catherine Totty said in the release. Tax statements for about 130,000 properties in those districts will be mailed after tax rate election results are finalized.

Taxes are due upon receipt of the statement and become delinquent Feb. 1, the release states.

Check out some of the most-read stories from the Austin area Oct. 12-16.

1. Williamson County breaks ground on new phase of Ronald Reagan Boulevard

2. Miniature golf, live music returning to former Back 9 Bar space

3. From major store openings to closings: Check out 11 San Marcos business updates

4. Check out the latest Loop 360 updates

5. Patel Brothers grocery store now open in Cedar Park

6. Austin, UT announce deal to preserve Muny