Round Rock ISD is anticipating a larger-than-expected gap between revenues and expenses for the 2025-26 financial year as administrators work to close the books.

In a nutshell: Higher insurance costs, legislative impacts and property tax protests are behind a jump in the expected shortfall, RRISD’s new Chief Financial Officer Ludivina Cansino said in an Aug. 20 update.

The district is expecting a $23.6 million shortfall that will reduce its fund balance to $43.2 million, Cansino shared in her presentation.

Why it matters: She said the district could anticipate a hit to its financial ratings, as the Texas Education Agency factors unassigned fund balance into its annual Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas assessment of school districts’ financial practices. Generally, the system rewards districts that have a fund balance equal to around 60 to 90 days of expenditures.

At $43.2 million, this fund balance is equal to about 30 days of the approved $486.1 million in expenditures for the 2026-27 budget.

The Round Rock location of Tejas Meat Supply announced its closure via social media Aug. 22.

About the business: The full service butcher shop and restaurant opened in Round Rock in mid-March, offering fresh cuts of beef, pork and wild game from Texas ranches as well as a selection of house-made sausages, jerky and charcuterie.

About the owners: Tejas Meat Supply’s original location opened in October 2020 in Georgetown, and is located at 101 E. Seventh St.. The business is locally owned by Keith Odom, Jonathan Brooks and Landrum Turner, as previously reported by Community Impact.

• 3001 Joe Dimaggio Blvd., Round Rock

Check out the latest transportation project updates across the Austin metro.

Austin Transit Partnership office search continues as officials press for lower costs, risks

The Austin Transit Partnership continues to pursue new offices for its growing workforce as its development of Austin Light Rail ramps up. A decision on the transit planning organization's next home could come in September, months after officials declined to approve a $32 million luxury office lease downtown following opposition from Mayor Kirk Watson.

Road work projects around CedarView development to be completed before Scheels opening

Two roadwork projects around the CedarView development in north Cedar Park— at the intersection of New Hope Drive and Enchanted Rock Drive, and New Hope Drive and Main Street-Block House Drive—will be completed by late August by the time Scheels opens Aug. 29.

WilCo commissioners support TxDOT I-35 expansion project

Williamson County commissioners voted Aug. 18 to formally support the expansion of I-35 through the county, a project led by the Texas Department of Transportation and sent the department a list of requests.

Incumbent state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R- Georgetown, will face Democratic challenger Paul Thomasson in the race to represent District 5 in the Texas Senate.

District 5 includes much of Williamson County and stretches east to San Jacinto County and north to Limestone County and Freestone County. The district also includes Brazos County, home to Bryan and College Station.

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 Q&A responses to Community Impact ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

Texas’ audit of hundreds of proposed data centers will likely wrap up by the end of the year, grid officials said Aug. 20.

The overview: Up to 300 proposals will be audited to ensure they meet certain criteria before the data centers can begin connecting to the state electric grid. If all the plans are approved, these facilities alone could use about 200 gigawatts of electricity—more than twice Texas’ 91-gigawatt peak demand record, which was set on July 22.

How we got here: On Aug. 3, Gov. Greg Abbott directed ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to audit proposed data centers regarding their water and electricity use; tax exemptions; impacts on residents; and facility ownership.

More details: Only large loads, or facilities that are expected to use at least 75 megawatts of electricity, will be fully audited. However, ERCOT will also survey proposed data centers that would use 25 megawatts of electricity or more.

ERCOT plans to release reports detailing the results of the audit and surveys on Dec. 10, officials said.