City staff and the Round Rock Professional Firefighters Association shared opposing views of what the financial impact of Proposition B could be to the city's taxpayers in April.

In a nutshell: A city analysis shared April 10 of a ballot measure to increase fire department staffing and funding could increase Round Rock property taxes by about 36%.

However, representatives of the Round Rock Professional Firefighters Association said the plan could be achieved for much less.

What they're saying: To meet the requirements of Proposition B, city of Round Rock staff estimate that property taxes would need to increase by 11.6 cents from $0.372 per $100 of valuation to $0.488 per $100 of valuation by the 2034 budget year, to generate $179.5 million in cumulative annual operating expenses for the department.

Bill Clifton, secretary of the Round Rock Professional Firefighters Association, told Community Impact via email that the funding for staffing increases needed to bring the fire department up to standard is closer to $4.4 million.

A new project could maintain water pressure in southwest Round Rock as the city grows.

The overview: Round Rock Public Works Director Michael Thane said in an April 9 council meeting that the city's 2023 Water Master Plan identified this area as having low water pressure due to its landscape. 

Water pressure is expected to decrease during peak use, as development in the area continues, he said.

Council approved a supplement to an original contract approved with Carollo Engineers, as the plan to improve pressure in the area has been changed. 

Cost to the city: The contract was increased by $266,300 to $365,237, and will be funded by the city's self-financed water construction fund.

Check out some of the most read stories in the Austin area April 13-16.

1. Significant traffic shifts at New Hope, 183A intersection in Cedar Park

2. The Lodge Card Club closes in Round Rock, lays off 114 employees

3. Check out 17 events happening in the Pflugerville, Hutto area

4. Lake Georgetown under drought watch

5. New housing development coming to Leander near Bar W Ranch and Larkspur

6. Wendy's opening soon off Hwy. 46 in New Braunfels