As Leander ISD heads into the 2026-27 school year with a projected budget shortfall of $9.9 million, district leaders are looking at ways to generate additional revenue while still addressing district-wide campus and facility needs.

The big picture: The board of trustees voted Aug. 17 to place a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, on the Nov. 3 ballot, which would increase LISD’s current maintenance and operations tax rate of $1.0869 by three cents. This would garner about $6.7 million in additional local funding, Superintendent Chris Clark said.

The breakdown: Passing a $0.03 VATRE would generate an additional $12 million in local taxes. However, a portion of the additional revenue would be subject to state recapture. About $5.3 million of the VATRE-generated revenue would be recaptured.

What to expect: Early voting will take place between Oct. 19-30, and election day is Nov. 3.

The district will offer in-person, virtual community meetings and a financial literacy website with frequently asked questions ahead of the VATRE.

Fabian Cuero and Troy Evanovich are running for Place 6 on the Round Rock ISD board of trustees this November.

Zooming out: Cuero was appointed to the board in September 2025 following the resignation of sitting Place 6 trustee Tiffanie Harrison.

In their own words: Candidates were asked to keep responses to 50 words or fewer, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.

Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Circuit of the Americas is gearing up to go beyond racing with the opening of COTALAND Theme Park later this month.

A closer look: Officials said the park will offer everything from extreme-thrill coasters to children’s rides and family-friendly attractions.

Learn more: The roughly 30-acre park will feature 33 attractions, with a compact layout designed in part to help keep guests and employees cooler during hot Central Texas summers.

Bobby Epstein, chairman and founder of COTA, discussed the approach with Community Impact before construction began.

“Most parks would spread this many rides out over a wider space, but what we’ve tried to do with this park is actually condense it a little bit so that we have more shade,” Epstein said.

What's next? Beyond COTALAND, officials said they are planning a water park and, longer term, an on-site resort to expand the venue's year-round entertainment offerings.

Community Impact will provide more details as plans develop.

• Opening Sept. 26

• 9111 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle

To strengthen consumer protections, the Texas Department of Insurance is asking state lawmakers to consider adjusting when new home and auto insurance rates are implemented.

What's happening: Texas currently operates under a "file-and-use" system, allowing insurance companies to begin using new rates immediately after they are filed, regardless of whether the TDI has reviewed them.

In a Sept. 14 letter detailing actions the department is taking to address Texas' high home insurance costs, Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford suggested that the legislature look into "adding a delay between a rate filing and its use in the market." Under the current system, if the TDI finds an issue with a new insurance rate, there is "limited" redress for affected policyholders if that rate is already in effect.

The background: Crawford's letter comes after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the TDI to take affordability-focused actions in an Aug. 24 letter.

Texans paid the nation's fourth-highest home insurance premiums at the end of 2025, according to previous Community Impact reporting.