ATX-LTW: Impact 9/23/2025

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

• Opened Aug. 13
• 16614 Hamilton Pool Road, Bldg. 3, Austin

• Opened Aug. 21
• 12820 Hill Country Blvd., Ste. E-116, Bee Cave

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.

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.

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.