Voters in Round Rock ISD will decide on several ballot measures in the Nov. 3 election after trustees called both a board and tax rate election.

In a nutshell: Trustees set its tax rate for the 2026-27 financial year Aug. 13. The rate of $0.9848 per $100 valuation comprises a $0.7654 maintenance and operations rate, and a $0.1830 debt service rate.

The M&O rate funds the district’s general fund and supports day-to-day operations, while the debt service rate pays down district debt, such as bond payments.

What else?: Trustees also called an election for Place 3, 4, 5 and 6 board seats with terms expiring in November.

Rockey’s Piano Bar is marking 10 years of bringing live music, signature cocktails and draft beers to the city’s downtown district this August.

About the owners: The bar and venue is owned by Mingo Hernandez, Johnny Ontiveros and David Solis, who together own Backporch Social.

The piano bar will host an anniversary party Aug. 27.

• 111 W. Main St., Round Rock

A countywide burn ban is now in effect in Williamson County as drought conditions increase across the area.

A closer look: The Williamson County Commissioners Court issued the ban at 11:05 a.m. Aug. 18. The order can remain in effect for up to 90 days, though the commissioners court or county judge may lift it earlier if conditions improve.
The ban prohibits outdoor burning of combustible materials unless the fire is contained within an enclosure that contains all flames and sparks. This includes burning household yard waste such as leaves, grass, brush and other trimmings, as well as burning trees, stumps, shrubs or other vegetation for land clearing.

Violating the burn ban is a class c misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, according to a county news release. Residents can view the full order and additional restrictions on the Williamson County burn ban status webpage.

A Logistics Park in Georgetown, a hotel in Austin and a Scooter’s Coffee in Cedar Park are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Northland Project ($60 million): This project involves the interior finish-out of an existing shell building.

2. Green Point Building 3 ($42 million): This project is part of the 231-acre GTX Logistics Park in Georgetown, and involves the construction of a 753,481 square foot concrete tiltwall warehouse shell.

3. East Austin 7th Street Hotel ($34 million): This project includes the construction of a new, 5-story commercial hotel.

4. Scooter's Coffee ($400,000): A new Scooter’s Coffee location is coming to Cedar Park, with construction set to wrap up in the spring.

5. Starbucks ($400,000): A new Starbucks location is coming to Bastrop, with construction set to wrap up in April.

Many Texas students began returning to the classroom for the 2026-27 school year in mid-August.

Here are five things Texans should know as the 2026-27 school year kicks off.

The details:

• 2026 school accountability ratings issued
• New rule impacts accountability-related school closures
• 100K students using new Texas Education Freedom Accounts
• Public school closures deepen across Texas
• Check out recent public education laws