Pflugerville ISD residents can expect no change to their property tax rate following the board of trustees' adoption of the 2026-27 tax rate Aug. 20.

The overview: The board adopted a tax rate of $1.1069 per $100 valuation, maintaining the same overall rate as 2025-26.

The rate includes $0.7869 for maintenance and operations, which funds daily expenses, and $0.32 for interest and sinking—which is used to repay debt, such as bonds used for capital projects.

What you need to know: Using a median home value of $373,188, this rate would equate to about $4,130 in annual school district taxes, or $344 per month, before exemptions.

What they're saying: "[The rate] supports the district’s commitment to responsible, long-term financial planning," officials said in district documents. "Maintaining the tax rate provides stability for taxpayers while ensuring resources are available to support students, staff, facilities and the district’s financial obligations."

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks established a new chapter in North Austin this month, holding a ceremony to secure the first new lodge in Central Texas in over a decade.

The overview: The North Austin Elks Lodge No. 2894, based out of Round Rock, is now developing new programs focused on support for veterans, youth activities and partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, according to a press release.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a fraternal organization with hundreds of thousands of members across the country, with a network of nearly 2,000 lodges. Chapters, which also act as social clubs, raise funds to provide scholarships, host youth sports events, connect veterans with services, provide disaster relief and more.

City and county officials, community members, and representatives from Ascension gathered Aug. 21 to celebrate the opening of an expansion to the health care system’s Williamson County hospital.

About the project: Ascension first broke ground on the project in September 2024, and the patient tower took just under two years to build.

The 216,000 square-foot, six-story tower will allow staff to take on the increased demand for care, hospital President Andrew Gnann said.

The expanded tower added 96 additional beds to the hospital, and has capacity for up to 160 beds. This would bring the total number of beds at the hospital to 341.

The tower, which opens Sept. 1, also has:

• Two new operating rooms

• An additional MRI

• A new catheterization lab

• A new observation unit

• An expanded emergency room

What they’re saying: Speakers highlighted the history of the hospital, which is built on land donated by the Avery and Nelson families and largely funded by local philanthropy.

Check out these trending stories from the Austin area Aug. 17-20. 

1. The Farm Fresh Network brings locally grown food to Texas schools

2. Hutto, Williamson County poised for $674M Blue Origin facility

3. Eagles Nest Street extension moves forward in Round Rock

4. 4 changes Bastrop drivers should know near Sendero, Burleson Crossing

5. Local Georgetown bakery celebrates 5-year anniversary

6. New Braunfels ISD receives 'B' rating from TEA for the 2025-26 school year

Incumbent state Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, will face Democratic challenger Chris Jimenez in the race to represent District 52 in the Texas House of Representatives.

District 52 primarily consists of a large portion of Williamson County.

What to bring to the polls: Voters should bring a photo ID with them to the polls. According to the Texas Secretary of State's office, acceptable forms of photo ID include:

• Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

• Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS

• Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

• Texas handgun license issued by DPS

• U.S. Military identification card containing the person’s photograph

• U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

• U.S. passport (book or card)

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5, and early voting begins Oct. 19.

A quick note: The candidates submitted responses to questions from Community Impact ahead of the Nov. 3 election.