ATX-PFH: Impact 10/2/2025

The city of Hutto recently launched a new tool for residents to submit service requests and report non-emergency issues.

The overview: Hutto Solve-It is a mobile app available through Apple App Store and Google Play that allows residents to submit and track service requests, such as pothole repairs, graffiti, utility issues or code violations.

Residents can pinpoint exact locations and attach photos to help city crews assess and address issues, and requests are sent directly to the appropriate department.

Work on 1849 Park in Pflugerville continues as City Council approved a $353,000 budget modification for phase 2 of the expansion project in September.

The overview: With the change order, the contract with G. Hyatt Construction for phase 2 of the park increased to around $9.5 million, a 3.8% increase from the original contract, according to city documents.

The increased cost is due to a requirement by Oncor to run an additional 2,353 feet of electrical wiring. The new conduit will create a looped electrical circuit for the park. The circuit will decrease the chance of power outages at the park, according to city staff, by providing redundant power pathways and will also allow for maintenance or repairs without disrupting service to the entire park.
 

Many Texas retailers can no longer sell consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved two emergency rules Sept. 23.

The overview: The new rules, which were drafted after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order requesting tighter THC regulations, apply only to retailers that sell alcohol. The rules state that businesses may not sell, serve or deliver consumable hemp products to minors and must check all customers' IDs before selling them THC products.

Zooming in: About 60,000 Texas businesses hold TABC licenses and will be prohibited from selling THC products to minors. Those businesses include bars, restaurants, liquor stores, grocery stores and some convenience stores.

However, the rule does not apply to THC retailers that do not sell alcohol or have a TABC license, such as smoke shops, gas stations or online sellers. The TABC and the Texas Department of State Health Services are working to determine how to best enforce age restrictions for THC retailers that do not sell alcohol, agency spokespeople said.

In the inaugural year of the Williamson County Death Inquest Investigators Program, the county has seen almost 25% more death inquest cases than in 2024.

The history: The Williamson County Death Inquest Investigators Program began in January to relieve the workload of the four justices of the peace.

About the program: The DIIs respond to all death scenes, and take on the majority of the inquest process, which includes:

• Receiving reports of deaths in Williamson County
• Conducting independent investigations for circumstances of death
• Preparing official investigative reports