Dripping Springs residents will soon see larger wastewater bills after City Council approved an increase to rates at a May 19 meeting.

The rate adjustments were driven by litigation delays and rising costs, essential infrastructure improvements, and the need to support responsible growth, according to a news release.

The overview: City officials approved increases to both the base and the usage fees for wastewater rates. The new base fee is $43.32, and the usage fee is $5.67 per 1,000 gallons for residential customers. The new rates will result in a $20 to $30 bill increase per month, depending on usage. A residential customer using approximately 5,262 gallons per month will see their bill change from $50.19 to $73.16, a nearly 46% increase.

What’s next? Customers will see the new rates reflected on their September bills.

“This is about doing what’s necessary to protect our water, support our community, and plan responsibly for the future,” Mayor Bill Foulds said in the release.

South Austin residents may need to adjust their commutes as Texas Department of Transportation officials prepare to close William Cannon Bridge at I-35 for two consecutive weekends beginning May 29.

The big picture: The William Cannon Bridge will be blocked off for construction crews to set beams for elevated lanes as part of the I-35 Capital Express South Project.

The bridge will be closed during the following times:

• May 29 at 10 p.m. through June 1 at 5 a.m.
• June 5 at 10 p.m. through June 8 at 5 a.m.

Royce Flournoy, president and founder of Texas Construction, launched the business over 30 years ago, bringing decades of craftsmanship to the Austin area. As a certified aging-in-place specialist, Flournoy supports homeowners in evolving their space to support changing needs.

The approach: Aging in place refers to the decision for older residents to stay in their existing homes as aging may cause physical limitations and a need for new infrastructure.

Texas Construction works with design specialists at Amity Worrel & Co. to make home improvement modifications at Age in Place in Style. By teaming up, the companies provide a comprehensive service to homeowners so they don’t have to compromise safety or style as their needs evolve over time.

Dig deeper: The Texas Construction team connected with Community Impact to discuss the importance of modifying homes for the safety and comfort of aging residents. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

• 5609 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 210, Austin

Universal Kids Resort will open in Frisco on July 1.

What you need to know: The theme park is a first-of-its-kind that is designed for kids. Guests can start planning their vacations with tickets sales and hotel bookings now available, according to a May 28 news release.

Tickets, packages and the first annual pass option for Universal Kids Resort are officially on sale.

Looking back: The theme park was announced in January 2023 and it was always geared toward young children and families. The project later broke ground that year and the hotel joined the Frisco tourism group in early 2026.

Quote of note: "When Universal opens, it's going to be something that's really unique about growing up in Frisco," Mayor Jeff Cheney said. "It's going to be kind of a big part of the Frisco DNA going forward."