Williamson County commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2026-27 budget and tax rate at the Commissioners Court meeting Sept. 1.

The $712.94 million budget is supported by a tax rate of $0.421547 per $100 valuation, the no-new-revenue tax rate.

Explained: The no-new-revenue rate calculates the property tax rate that would generate the exact same amount of revenue as last year from existing properties. Williamson County’s current tax rate is $0.413776 per $100.

Under the newly adopted rate, which goes into effect Oct. 1, Williamson County property owners will likely see a decrease on their county tax line, officials said. The average homestead will pay about $28, or 1.49%, less per year than in the current fiscal year, according to a county news release.

Digging deeper: The county budget consists of the general fund, road and bridge fund, and debt service. Commissioners approved a general fund budget of $405.65 million, $75 million for the road and bridge fund, and $232.3 million for debt service.

City leaders are continuing to increase messaging and enforcement surrounding electronic motorcycles and mini-bikes, or e-motos, which have drawn safety and regulatory concerns as they've grown in popularity.

The overview: E-motos are self-propelled vehicles that can reach top speeds well over 30 miles per hour. Devices falling under the e-moto umbrella can be illegal to operate on public streets, but difficult to distinguish from motorcycles, pocket bikes, mopeds and e-bikes—all of which have various definitions and regulations.

What they're saying: Ellis, who sponsored the e-moto resolution earlier this year, noted Austin has frequently served as a "guinea pig" for mobility advancements like electric scooters and autonomous vehicles. And as with AVs or other transportation options, the city may not be able to put its own rules into place given the state's dedicated authority over those topics.

One more thing: As part of council's directive from earlier this year, the city is also exploring the creation of a dedicated e-moto recreation area where the devices could be legally driven.

Check out stories trending in the Austin area Aug. 31-Sept. 3. 

1. Georgetown to reduce speed limit on Ronald Reagan Boulevard

2. Rooftop padel club planned at downtown Austin Convention Center garage

3. New East Austin supportive housing offers exit from homelessness

4. Round Rock residents to see higher water, wastewater, sewer bills

5. Bee Cave rejects permit for VVater research lab

6. Hays County secures over $39 million for railroad overpass at Centerpoint Road

Leander City Council instructed staff to suspend the city’s use of Flock surveillance cameras following a lengthy Sept. 3 public hearing focused on privacy, data security and funding concerns.

A closer look: The city’s 14 cameras automatically capture and upload license plate images, which police have said helped solve shootings and robberies since their installation in summer 2025. Police Chief Greg Minton outlined safeguards for the technology, including quarterly audits, restricted access and only 30-day data retention.

What they're saying: Dozens of residents raised concerns about potential misuse and constitutional privacy rights, with an online petition opposing the cameras gathering more than 1,600 signatures. After the meeting ran past 1 a.m., city officials said the police department will stop using the cameras and data, and the city will end funding for its Flock contract. Leander’s decision follows similar action in Pflugerville and Bastrop, while Liberty Hill is still reviewing its Flock contract.

COTALAND Theme Park is officially opening on Sept. 26, bringing racing, rollercoasters and attractions to Circuit of The Americas, or COTA, according to a news release.

“COTALAND was created to be far more than a traditional amusement park,” COTA Founder Bobby Epstein said in a news release. “This is where theme park thrills, world-class racing, live entertainment and family experiences come together in a way that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the country.”

What they offer: COTALAND is slated to feature over 30 experiences, from rollercoasters, to mini golf, to COTA Karting and a zip line. Attractions include the Hot Lap experience where guests can ride along on the Formula 1 track.
COTALAND will have coasters like the Circuit Breaker, the first tilt roller coaster in Texas, according to the release. The park is also set to have family-friendly rides and attractions, including Kiddie Karting and Lil’ Logger, which are bite-sized versions of larger COTALAND rides.

9111 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin