State funding lowers Eanes ISD FY 2025-26 shortfall by $3.4 million
State funding and other changes have lowered Eanes ISD's fiscal year 2025-26 budget shortfall to $3.7 million, as discussed during the Sept. 23 board of trustees meeting.
Looking back: The board adopted the 2025-26 budget in June with a $7.1 million shortfall, which was based on May law. The budget did not include salary increases, assumed a 7,300 student enrollment and reflected a 3.8% decline in EISD's taxable assessed value, or TAV.
What changed: Based on House Bill 2—an $8.4 billion public school funding bill passed during the legislative session—EISD netted an increase of nearly $1.5 million.
EISD netted another $1.9 million from other changes, including:
$1.5 million due to an increased actual enrollment of 7,532 students
$112,000 due to the TAV only declining by 2.4%
$642,000 from reclassified revenue between Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026
Looking ahead: Chief Financial Officer Chris Scott’s “extremely early” 2026-27 projections show a $5.5-$6 million shortfall.
The city of Lakeway has passed its budget and tax rate of $0.16964 for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year.
The overview: The city’s newly approved tax rate, which was passed in a 6-1 vote at a special City Council meeting Sept. 22, marks a 6.2% increase from the previous year’s rate. Council member Kelly Brynteson voted against the increase.
The city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget was also passed in a 6-1 vote Sept. 22, with Brynteson also voting against.
Some context: The city of Lakeway’s taxpayer impact statement shows that the average taxable homestead value in the city is $845,983. With an approved tax rate of $0.16964, the estimated tax bill for a homestead at this value this year would be $1,435. This is a $95 increase from last year’s $1,340 tax bill.
Dry weather prompts Travis County to reinstate burn ban through October
Travis County commissioners have approved a new countywide burn ban, effective through Oct. 21, due to ongoing dry conditions. While recent summer rains eased drought severity across Central Texas, the U.S. Drought Monitor still classifies 96% of the county as “abnormally dry.”
The outlook: Fire Marshal Gary Howell said the ban could be lifted early if significant rainfall occurs in the coming weeks. The county’s last burn ban was enacted earlier this year when National Weather Service forecasts pointed to extreme fire weather conditions. At that time, Travis County STAR Flight assisted neighboring Hays County where multiple vegetation fires spread quickly in windy, dry conditions.
What you need to know: Under the ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited, including brush burning, bonfires, trash burning and campfires in non-designated areas. Officials urge residents to remain cautious, avoid sparks from vehicles or grills, and keep water nearby when using fire outdoors.
Residents can sign up for local emergency alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org.
Ronald McDonald House to open at Texas Children's Hospital North Austin
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas has announced the development of a new Ronald McDonald House for patients at Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin.
What to know: Construction has begun at Austin’s latest Ronald McDonald House which sparks the start of the first phase of A Place Like Home, RMHC CTX’s capital campaign, a news release states.
The campaign is dedicated to increasing capacity while ensuring families have access to comfort, care and community throughout their child’s medical journey.
The space is expected to open in 2026 and will feature nine private family suites, a communal kitchen, a laundry room and a multipurpose family support space where families can have private conversations with doctors, learn about support resources and more.
