ATX-SBK: Impact 10/13/2025

Buda leaders gathered to discuss the future of the community and to update residents on its future goals.

The overview: At a joint meeting of the Buda City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission held on Oct. 8, Buda Development Services Director Angela Kennedy presented an overview of the goals and strategies outlined in the 2024 Our Buda, Our Future Comprehensive Plan, alongside the city council’s 2025-40 Strategic Plan priorities.

The background: According to city documents, the comprehensive plan was adopted by the city council following a public input process, replacing the previous 2030 plan, Preserving Our Heritage, Sustaining Our Future, which was adopted in 2012.

The details:City documents outline the four central focus areas of its objectives for the comprehensive plan, including community, activity, mobility and economy.

Objectives range from sustainability to developing a trail network, conserving natural spaces and cultivating a business culture.

There are three government stories of note for San Marcos, Buda and Kyle in the news.

Kyle receives updates on 12 planned roundabouts
At the Oct. 2 City Council meeting, Kyle officials shared plans to improve safety and traffic flow by adding 12 roundabouts as part of the city’s 2022 Road Bond program. The initiative aims to address growing traffic demands as Kyle continues to expand rapidly.

City of Buda shares long-term vision and goals
At an Oct. 8 joint meeting, Buda leaders discussed goals for the community.

Development Services Director Angela Kennedy presented an overview of the goals and strategies outlined in the comprehensive plan alongside the City Council's strategic plan priorities, which work together to support long-term decision-making for the city’s future.

San Marcos CISD approves raises for 2025-26 school year
San Marcos CISD teachers and staff will receive pay raises for the 2025-26 school year.

At a Sept. 15 meeting, the district approved $284,572 in state staff retention allotment funds to be distributed equally among employees who haven’t yet received raises.
 

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Oct. 6-10.

1. Hwy. 290 extension could improve travel between Travis and Bastrop counties

2. Bridge placed over Lake Creek to connect Round Rock West with downtown area

3. Austin ISD unveils plans to close 13 schools in 2026-27 school year

4. Cedar Park’s Firefly launches $855 million bid for defense tech company

5. Bastrop Automotive to be built on FM 969

6. Samsung employees to move into office building on Taylor campus this November

• Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to noon
• First Lutheran Church, 130 W. Holland St., San Marcos

Texas’ power grid is unlikely to have issues this December, according to an Oct. 3 report by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

The details: During the winter, demand for electricity spikes when people get up in the morning and return home in the evening. This December, the tightest period is expected to be from 7-8 a.m. each day, when little to no solar power is being produced. ERCOT found that there will be a 1.81% chance of a grid emergency during that time.

“Under typical grid conditions, the deterministic scenario indicates that there should be sufficient generating capacity available," the report reads.

The background: Texas' grid withstood three cold snaps early this year. ERCOT last asked residents to voluntarily reduce their energy use in January 2024.

Legislative approach: State lawmakers approved legislation this spring that is designed to make the grid more reliable by tightening regulations on large electric consumers, such as data centers. In extreme grid conditions, those customers will be required to switch to backup power to reduce strain on the grid.