Coffee, yoga and spas: 17 business updates for the Lake Travis, Westlake area
Restaurants, a day care center and a new spa are just a few of the options now open in the Lake Travis-Westlake area this fall.
Now open Farmand’s Family Kitchen The new restaurant offers a family-friendly dining experience featuring salads, burgers and sandwiches as well as cocktails, beer and wine. A patio and outdoor playground are also available.
Opened Aug. 30
5145 N. RM 620, Bldg. C, Austin
Peaches Coffee Co-owned by Molly Gaffney, the business offers a range of coffee drinks and small bites including breakfast tacos and gluten free pastries provided by Maaribu.
Opened Aug. 13
16614 Hamilton Pool Road, Bldg. 3, Austin
Relocations Sound Sanctuary Austin Locally owned by West Lake Hills resident Glenn Mierendorf, the business curates and installs high-fidelity audio systems, such as speakers, amplifiers, turntables and streamers. Following the relocation from North Austin, the Hill Country Galleria site offers a showroom with private demos and consultations.
Contract approved for Phase 1 of Lake Travis ISD High School No. 2
Lake Travis ISD’s second high school is progressing as the board of trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price of $46.3 million for the first phase of the project Sept. 17.
Some context: Voters approved the construction of High School No. 2 in the 2022 bond, and its athletic facilities were approved as part of the 2023 bond. In March, the board approved American Constructors as the general contractor for the project.
The details: Phase 1 is slated to include site work such as excavating and filling, paving asphalt and concrete, and constructing retaining walls, wastewater and water systems, and electrical utilities.
The new school is slated to sit on 150 acres, have a 1,500 student capacity, and include a performing arts center, media center, outdoor courtyard and commons area, a competition gym, practice fields and competition fields.
Looking ahead: Phase 1 is anticipated to be complete by April, while the school and its facilities are slated for a June 2028 completion ahead of the 2028-29 school year.
Property tax hike to boost health care services across Travis County
Travis County homeowners will see about $64 more on their property tax bills after commissioners approved a 9.3% rate increase for Central Health, the county’s taxpayer-funded hospital district. For the average home valued at $515,213, that amounts to roughly $608 in total Central Health taxes.
Funding priorities: Dubbed the “year of access,” the new budget directs additional funding toward expanding primary care, behavioral health, specialty services and diagnostics. Primary care funding will rise from $74 million to more than $103 million, largely supporting CommUnityCare Health Centers. Behavioral health services will also grow significantly, with funding for Integral Care increasing from $25.7 million to over $40 million.
The outlook: Central Health leaders say the investments aim to reduce wait times, improve access to specialists, curb avoidable ER visits, and expand insurance coverage for low-income residents.
Put in perspective: Central Health represents just over 5% of a property owner’s total tax bill.
20 years strong: Community Impact celebrates anniversary through state-wide company gathering
Since 2005, Community Impact has delivered trusted news and local information to communities across Texas. Privately owned by John and Jennifer Garrett of Round Rock, it now reaches 2.5 million mailboxes and 270,000 inboxes in 40 markets.
As it celebrates its 20th anniversary, Community Impact is looking back on two decades built on passion, integrity and innovation—while also focusing forward on deeper reader connections and future growth.
The framework: To recognize 20 years of success, Community Impact held a conference and celebration called The Gathering. The event united employees from across the company for two days of training, collaboration and connection.
“Our belief is that leadership from internal top performers and external experts helps us be the modern local news company we want to be,” Founder and CEO John Garrett said.
What to know about the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot
Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election.
The overview: The propositions, which were adopted by state lawmakers earlier this year, include measures aimed at reducing property taxes, funding water supply projects and creating a state dementia research institute.
“This is an opportunity to make your voice heard about the governing document of our state,” Secretary of State Jan Nelson said in a June 25 statement.
More details: Texans have until Oct. 6 to register to vote in the upcoming election. Early in-person voting runs from Oct. 20-31, and Election Day is Nov. 4.
The secretary of state’s office randomly selected the ballot order for the 17 state propositions. Keep reading to learn about the proposed constitutional amendments and how they would change Texas law.
