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Bastrop ISD to weigh tax rate election July 27 amid $1.7M budget shortfall

Bastrop ISD trustees will discuss a potential voter-approval tax rate election July 27 that could generate about $1.1 million annually.

Why it matters: Trustees adopted a $146.5 million general fund budget for 2026-27 that includes a projected $1.7 million shortfall. 

The additional revenue could reduce the district’s reliance on the fund balance to fill the gap.

Some context: Trustees discussed seeking voter approval for three golden pennies June 16.

Chief Financial Officer Mike White said each penny would generate about $360,000 annually.

How it works: Golden pennies are added to a district’s maintenance and operations tax rate and are not subject to state recapture.

Trustees can adopt the first five, while the next three require voter approval.

What’s next: The discussion-only meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Bastrop ISD Service Center, 906 Farm St.

If trustees choose to move forward, the VATRE would be voted on during an Aug. 13 meeting. 

The deadline to order an election for the Nov. 3 ballot is Aug. 17.
 
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CI Business
Smash burgers and a spa bus: 14 Bastrop business updates to know

Stay in the know with 14 Bastrop-area business updates.

Now open
1. PrimeBite (opened July 2): Mexican-inspired smash burgers and more

2.  VIP Nail Salon and Spa (opened July 10): nail, waxing and kids’ services

3. Jersey Mike’s Subs (opened June 24): hot and cold East Coast-style sandwiches

4. Einstein Bros. Bagels (opened July 15): bagels, breakfast and lunch

Coming soon
5. Over the Rainbow Spa Bus (opening in August): nail salon services

6. Westlake Dermatology (opening Aug. 31): cosmetic and dermatology services

7. Kung Fu Tea (opening this fall): customizable milk and fruit teas with housemade boba

8. Freebirds World Burrito (opening by spring 2027): customizable Tex-Mex food
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

‘42nd Street’

Quiltfest 2026

July 24-Aug. 30, show times vary
Georgetown

July 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; July 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
New Braunfels

More info

More info

 

BBQ Cook-Off

Brick Rodeo

July 24-25, 6 p.m.
Driftwood

July 25-26, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Saturday); 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sunday)
Round Rock

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
Texas on track to see record-breaking power demand amid triple-digit heat

With large parts of the state under an extreme heat warning or heat advisory through July 23, the operator of Texas’ independent power grid is projecting record-breaking electric demand this week.

What's happening: As of 3 p.m. July 22, there were 90,027 megawatts of demand on the grid with 113,543 megawatts of power available, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' real-time supply and demand dashboard. One megawatt of electricity can power about 250 homes during peak times.

This would break ERCOT’s current demand record of 85.5 gigawatts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. ERCOT spokesperson Trudi Webster cautioned that this week’s demand records are preliminary.

What it means: Texans should not expect a grid emergency during this week’s extreme heat.

ERCOT previously projected that demand would surpass 92,000 megawatts this summer, due to high temperatures, moderate rainfall and the growth of data centers.

This week's triple-digit temperatures come during the sunniest parts of the day, allowing the state to rely in part on solar energy to power the grid.

 

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Amanda Cutshall
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Leslie Bradshaw
General Manager

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