The Georgetown ISD board of trustees unanimously adopted a balanced budget that provides select pay raises while keeping options open for a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE.

After hosting a public hearing that discussed the potential impacts of raising school district taxes by 7 cents, the board of trustees approved a budget slightly above $190 million June 15.

In a nutshell: Georgetown ISD's budget for the 2026-27 school year includes a general, food service and debt service funds.

While the district’s total expenditures are forecasted at about $191.74 million, the general fund will remain in the black with total revenues sitting at about $194.27 million, according to district documents.

One more thing: Although a VATRE has not been called yet, a phone call and text-based survey will be conducted by a third party later this summer to measure community support for a potential VATRE. The deadline for the district to call a VATRE is Aug. 17.

Santa Rita Ranch residents can enjoy a new amenity complex located in the Saddleback neighborhood.

The Paddock, which opened in May, adds two new pools to the community and features a 3,522-square-foot clubhouse, according to a news release from Santa Rita Ranch.

The setup: The new 5-acre amenity complex offers a new resort pool, lap pool, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a playground and a tricycle path, the news release states.

With the addition of this new recreational area, the Santa Rita Ranch community now has a total of seven pools.

“Repeatedly opening new amenity complexes underscores our commitment to an active, engaging way of life here at Santa Rita Ranch,” Santa Rita Ranch Developer Ed Horne said in the release. “We’ve opened more than $80 million worth of pools, parks, sports fields, spaces to gather, fitness center and other amenities in the community so residents can find a place for relaxation and recreation near their homes, no matter where they live in the community.”

Jack Daly, who has worked with the city of Georgetown for more than 13 years, will take on a new role as assistant city manager beginning June 22.

Learn more: Daly has held several positions with the city, including community services director, assistant public works director, and chief business officer for the electric utility department.

He has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Texas, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in government and history from the University of Texas at Austin, according to a city news release.

As assistant city manager, Daly will oversee the water, public works, and parks and recreation departments, as well as the public library.

In case you missed it: Former Assistant City Manager Laurie Brewer retired in May after more than 30 years with the city.

A Crunch Fitness in Austin, an AutoZone in Lago Vista and the Plaza Saltillo Station Double Track and Trail Project are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Plaza Saltillo Station Double Track and Trail Project ($40.6 million): This project involves a change from single track to double track, building platforms and canopies for passenger waiting areas, and associated utility relocations and right-of-way flatwork.

2. Emergency Animal Hospital of Buda ($1.7 million): A new emergency animal hospital is coming to Buda, with construction set to begin in August.

3. Snack Time C-Store & Gas Station Building ($1.6 million): This project involves the construction of a single-story gas station building with a proposed deli.

4. Crunch Fitness ($1.5 million): A new Crunch Fitness location is coming to Austin. 

5. AutoZone ($1.2 million): A 6,800-square-foot AutoZone is coming to Lago Vista, with construction set to begin in December.

Changing drinking preferences are hitting retail shelves across Central Texas, with THC- and CBD-infused drinks increasingly positioning themselves as alternatives to traditional alcohol.

A closer look: Shayda Torabi, the cofounder of RESTART CBD + THC—a hemp retailer based in Austin—said many consumers are drinking less alcohol while actively looking for an alternative with an effect, not just a mocktail—what she referred to as the “sober curious movement.”

“People don't just want an adaptogenic drink, they don't just want a fizzy knockoff cosmopolitan. They want that drink that they're subbing alcohol for to have some experience, to have some effect,” Torabi said. “I think that's where cannabis beverages have really nicely parlayed into this next generation of consumers.”

What you should know: Torabi explained that many consumable hemp products can range from 2 milligrams to 10 milligrams of THC, but some products contain dosages as high as 100 milligrams. For first-time users, Torabi recommends starting with a low dose, around 2.5 milligrams of THC.