ATX-LLH: Impact 9/11/2025

Leander City Council approved a cost increase and timeline extension for a waterline improvement project after a delayed review by the Pedernales Electric Cooperative.

The project in question involves reclaimed waterline improvements close to RM 2243.

According to agenda documents for the Sept. 4 meeting, the project includes a contract with C.C. Carlton Industries that became worth $7,811,015.33 after the $186,054.43 funding addition.

The project’s timeline was also extended by 101 days, according to the documents.

The gist: The vote affects Capital Improvement Projects WW.46 and WW.43, which will provide a reclaimed water system and install a new master lift station, respectively.

Mike Etienne, Liberty Hill’s deputy city manager, has submitted his resignation letter.

Effective September 19, Etienne will no longer be with the city, according to a copy of the letter provided to Community Impact by the city. His resignation comes after former Liberty Hill City Manager Paul Brandenburg resigned in July.

The gist: Katie Amsler, Liberty Hill’s director of community engagement and communications, said Etienne was leaving for a new opportunity.

In the Aug. 28 letter, Etienne said he would leave a to-do list of items he was working on with the city, and he noted he would be available should the city need to reach out.

The Lower Colorado River Authority, which manages the Highland Lakes system in Central Texas, announced it would begin lowering Inks Lake for a period of eight weeks starting Oct. 1. 

In a nutshell: The LCRA announced Sept. 9 that the lake would be lowered to provide property owners an opportunity to work on docks and boat slips, as well as to remove debris from the lake and shoreline.

What residents should know: The lowering will cause Lake Travis, located downstream from Inks Lake, to rise by about 3.5 inches, according to a news release from the authority.

Williamson County commissioners named September suicide prevention month at a Sept. 9 meeting, highlighting the various county mental health resources available to residents.

The impact: Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the second leading cause of death for children ages 10-14, according to the county. For those ages 15-24, it is the third leading cause of death.

Williamson County's behavioral health task force has a goal of working with mental health providers, nonprofits, first responders and the justice system to increase suicide awareness and lifesaving resources.

The county partners with Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, which offers a 24/7 crisis hotline at 1-800-841-1255 to connect residents with care and counseling options. Individuals who call 911 in Williamson County and ask for mental health resources can also be directly connected with Bluebonnet Trails.

Going forward: The county is working on additional mental health projects, including starting a loss team that will help those impacted by suicide.