Round Rock ISD officials green-lit the purchase of maintenance vehicle replacements and approved construction contracts for several campuses in November.

The purchases and contracts are funded by 2024 bond monies, per the district. 

What you need to know: Trustees approved contracts and purchasing orders replacing eight district vehicles, resurfacing the middle school track and hiring architects and construction managers for several campus renovations.

The contracts total just over $2.3 million in bond funds approved by voters in November 2024.

Round Rock City Council approved $4.5 million in purchases for safety and emergency response vehicles during a Nov. 20 meeting.

The details: Council approved a new mobile command center unit for over $1.5 million. The vehicle will be equipped with technology that helps personnel communicate in the field during emergencies, events or similar operations.

The new vehicle will be an upgrade from a command bus that has reached the end of its operational use.

What else: Additionally, the Round Rock Fire Department requested funds to purchase four separate vehicles totaling roughly $2.9 million. The city approved the purchase of a mini pumper truck for $400,100. This compact vehicle is designed to access and fight fires in areas that are inaccessible to larger fire trucks.

Nonprofit organizations and churches will host free Thanksgiving meals across the Austin area, including events in Dripping Springs, Bastrop, Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown and more. Volunteers are also encouraged to get involved by reaching out to organizations directly. 

United Way for Greater Austin 
United Way for Greater Austin will host its annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing, providing the community with turkey and trimmings. 

• Nov. 25, 4-8 p.m.
• Free
• 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin

This year, voters in communities across Texas were skeptical of local property tax hikes and supportive of larger tax breaks for homeowners and businesses, results from the Nov. 4 election show.

The overview: Voters in Community Impact’s coverage areas approved just over half of the local bond propositions and tax rate elections on the November ballot, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Statewide, 40% of tax rate elections and 45.9% of bond propositions passed, according to Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican and property tax policy writer.

Zooming in: Cities, counties, school districts and other local government entities use funding from tax hikes to build new schools and facilities; hire educators and first responders; and maintain local infrastructure. However, amid high inflation nationwide, more Texas residents are tightening their belts and asking local officials to do the same, fiscal policy experts told Community Impact.

Local governments whose tax hikes were shot down are now grappling with how to make cuts while maintaining essential services, Community Impact reporting shows.