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City budget discussions kick off in Round Rock for FY 2026-27

Budget season for the upcoming 2026-27 financial year is underway in Round Rock, with city officials and staff planning for how city funds may be allocated.

The big picture: During the city's fall budget retreat July 23, Round Rock Chief Financial Officer Kevin Klosterboer laid out a large-scale view of the city's upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

The city is expecting about $684.1 million in expenditures for the new fiscal year, with several departments adding new staff to meet the needs of a growing city, Klosterboer said.

Zooming in: The city is expecting to add 52.5 full-time employees in the next fiscal year, spread across multiple departments, with the bulk being additional police officers and firefighters.

What's next: The city will continue budget discussions through August and September. Klosterboer said the city will set its maximum tax rate in August, and votes on finalized versions of the tax rate and budget will take place in September.
 
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On The Business Beat
Slim Chickens, Sweet Irene's, iScream Gelato: 15 Round Rock-area business updates

Check out these 15 Round Rock business updates, including restaurants that have recently opened and are coming soon, as well as retail news and changes in ownership.

Slim Chickens
The fried chicken restaurant's menu includes a variety of chicken wings, tenders and sandwiches alongside Southern-style sides, such as macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and fried pickles.

  • Opened July 28
  • 2700 Red Bud Lane, Round Rock

Sweet Irene’s
The downtown boutique will sell clothing for women and children, candles, jewelry, and home decor with some stock supplied by local vendors. Locally owned by Melissa Moody, the boutique's name is a nod to her grandmother, Irene, a Dallas socialite.
  • Opening in mid-August or early September
  • 110 S. Lampasas St., Ste. 4, Round Rock

iScream Gelato
Construction on a new gelato shop is set to take place between July and October. The business, which has one other Texas location, uses fresh ingredients sourced from Italy to make gourmet, handcrafted desserts in a variety of flavors.
  • 2800 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Ste. 200, Round Rock
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Bastrop Homecoming & Rodeo

Sunset Movie Series

July 28-Aug. 1, times vary
Bastrop

July 31, 8 p.m.
Georgetown

More info

More info

 

Summer Stock Austin’s “Newsies”

Hays County Back to School Health Fair

July 31-Aug. 9
Austin

Aug. 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
San Marcos

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Across The Region
Film Friendly: Area officials, industry people look to attract screen time

Travis County, specifically western Travis County’s Hill Country, has become a hot spot for filming as 2,415 movie and TV productions have been filmed in the area in the past 30 years, according to the Texas Film Commission.

In response to production companies continuing to consider the Hill Country for potential filming sites, cities such as Lakeway are embracing the industry as both an economic development strategy and a way to showcase the region.

The framework: As more film crews begin to show interest in various locations around the Hill Country, cities such as Lakeway are moving to become certified as “film friendly” by the Film Friendly Texas program through the Texas Film Commission.

Certified communities are featured on the Texas Film Commission’s website and receive ongoing training surrounding media industry standards.

Lakeway received its film friendly certification from the Texas Film Commission in March.

To accommodate the film friendly label, the city established a framework that allows production companies to work with property owners and city staff to ensure regulations are being followed.

 

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Darcy Sprague
Managing Editor

Amy Leonard Bryant
General Manager

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