ATX-LTW: Impact 10/31/2025

As part of his first presentation for the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce, Lake Travis ISD Superintendent Curtis Null shared with attendees Oct. 29 the latest on district budget plans and bond projects.

Null was formally approved as LTISD's newest superintendent in May and officially started work in June.

The outlook: In fiscal year 2024-25, LTISD faced a $8.9 million general fund budget shortfall. That number is down to $4.23 million in FY 2025-26, but in order to reduce that number further, the district’s largest operating expense–payroll–will likely face challenges.

It’s not possible to cut $4.2 million from the operating budget without affecting staffing, Null said.

Diving in deeper: Among various ongoing district bond projects, Null shared that Lake Travis High School’s Agricultural Building addition, part of LTISD’s 2022 Proposition A bond totaling $548.4 million, is set to be completed in November.

The district is aiming to open High School No. 2 in 2028, but “worst-case scenario” is fall 2029, Null said.

Following her first year serving as city manager of Bee Cave, Julie Oakley shared details in October regarding her position and the city’s accomplishments and challenges over the past 12 months.

The following are a list of questions provided by Community Impact, answered by Oakley:

Why did you apply for the position of Bee Cave city manager? I have worked in both local government and the private sector throughout my career. What I enjoy most about serving as a city manager is the direct contact with the community. It’s a privilege to help find solutions to the challenges residents face and to make a tangible difference in their daily lives.

Looking forward, what would you still like to accomplish as city manager? I would like to see improvements to our transportation network to keep up with the growth this region is experiencing. In Bee Cave, that means updating our thoroughfare plan with new road segments to make it easier to get around the city and to provide more alternatives to [Hwy.] 71.

Since Nov. 7, 2000, at least one person has died on Texas roads every day, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. As the Lone Star State nears 25 years of daily traffic deaths, officials at all levels of government are investing in new roadway safety projects and encouraging Texas drivers to do their part to curb deadly crashes.

The big picture: In the past 25 years, over 91,000 people have died on Texas roads. That is enough people to fill Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, according to TxDOT.

On average, 11 people died daily on Texas roads last year. In 2025, an average of 10 people had died per day as of Sept. 24.

Zooming in: State and local leaders found that the top factors in severe crashes include:

• Impaired driving
• High speeds
• Distracted driving
• Pedestrian and cyclist safety
• Lack of seatbelt use
• Roadway or lane departures
• Wrong-way driving

The overview: As Community Impact enters its third decade, it’s returning to its roots of growth and deeper reader connections. The “Patron” program, which began in 2020 by reader demand, has relaunched as the InCIder.

“This relaunch represents our renewed commitment to readers who support our local news,” CEO John Garrett said. “Beyond funding great journalism, we also want to reward our InCIders and build deeper connections with them, creating a true sense of community around the work we do.”

Event details: As part of the relaunch, Community Impact will host its first-ever InCIder Hour, a new event aimed at celebrating and engaging the company’s supporters.

The event, open to InCIders only, will take place Nov. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Community Impact Headquarters, 16225 Impact Way, Pflugerville.

Guests will have the opportunity to network with fellow InCIders, meet Community Impact staff and attend a featured conversation with legislative reporter Hannah Norton, moderated by Garrett.

“Our first event needed to start where all the hard work is put together,” Garrett said. “People are blown away when they see our operation. To be able to sit and chat with the best legislative reporter in Texas, Hannah Norton, makes it an event our InCIder friends deserve and hopefully will enjoy.”