ATX-RRK: Impact 10/22/2025

Round Rock City Council members got an early look at a detailed proposal to update the city’s zoning and development rules to expand downtown’s official boundaries, allow taller buildings along specific corridors and create clearer design standards for new projects.

Additionally, the changes would add space for new housing and small businesses, encourage walkable streets and preserve Round Rock’s older buildings. The update, which the Planning and Development Services Department has been working on for more than a year, will go for a final vote before City Council on Oct. 23.

The local impact: The proposal would update rules for three parts of downtown—MU-1, or the mixed-use historic commercial core district; MU-2, or the mixed-use downtown medium density district; and MU-L, or the mixed-use limited district.

In the city’s MU-1 district, which covers the Main Street area, the proposed rules would protect historic buildings while encouraging small business growth. New construction must match historic storefronts and have flat roofs with parapets. Stone and brick facades can no longer be painted unless they show severe deterioration.

Round Rock ISD earned an "A" rating in the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas for the 2024-25 financial year, administrators shared in October. 

What you need to know: The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas scores districts as A through F. This rating is based on 15 different metrics, such as audit and governance disclosures, cash and investments, tax collections, fund balance, debt management, administrative costs, capital projects, and staff levels.

Remember this? Last year, the district earned a rating of 96 out of 100. This year, RRISD earned the same score, translating to an A or "superior" rating.

Williamson County will apply for over $1.4 million in federal grants to support the juvenile justice system and help prevent at-risk youth from entering the justice system following commissioner approval at a meeting Oct. 14.

Explained: The federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention offers grants for local governments to fund programs or other intervention initiatives that prevent juvenile delinquency.

Williamson County is seeking two OJJDP grants:

• $633,555 for mentoring youth affected by substance use
• $815,804 to support youth exposed to violence

Travis County approved a new deal ensuring the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix Oct. 16 which will now continue at Circuit of the Americas through 2034.

The big picture: The adrenaline-fueled event draws more than 430,000 fans annually—nearly 70% from out of state—and generates over $1 billion in economic activity across Travis County each October, according to county documents.

By endorsing the race, the county allows organizers to apply for state funding through the governor’s major events program, which helps cover event costs but does not include any property tax breaks for COTA. Since debuting in Austin in 2012, Formula 1 has generated more than $10 billion regionally.