Retail and wholesale Round Rock water customers will see higher bills over the next few years, after officials gave approval for a new three-year rate increase model Aug. 27.

The city’s retail rate model applies to both residential and commercial customers.

In a nutshell: Rates will progressively increase over the next three years, Public Works Director Michael Thane said. 

The why: The update to rates is a “reset,” he said, and increases are driven by higher raw water prices, salary increases for employees and debt for large regional infrastructure projects.

Additionally, Thane said an expiring electrical contract is resulting in the city paying near double—from from $0.038 to $0.063 per kilowatt hour—contributing to the increased rates.

"We're pumping water several times to move it around the system,” Thane said. “Electricity plays a big part in our rates."

A Round Rock and Hutto-area optometrist is opening a new office this month.

About the business: The clinic is owned by Dr. Ashish Patel, who said he has worked locally for seven years.

The office will provide eye exams, contact lens examinations and fittings, and medical eye care as well as a curated selection of eyeglasses and sunglasses.

In their own words: “We believe every patient deserves time, attention, and a thorough understanding of their eye health and vision needs,” Patel said in an email to Community Impact. “Our goal is to build lasting relationships with our patients and become a trusted part of the community for years to come.”

• 4450 University Blvd., Ste. 140, Round Rock

Additions and renovations to Deerpark Middle School in Round Rock ISD, a refresh of the Yeti headquarters building and a new donut shop in Austin are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the metro this week.

1. Aalo Advanced Manufacturing ($25 million): This project involves the renovation of an existing 204,350 square-foot one-story warehouse building to provide lab, machine shop and production floor space for Aalo Atomics Advanced Manufacturing.

2. Deerpark Middle School additions and renovations ($20 million): Renovations will be taking place at Deerpark Middle School, including a fine arts and classroom addition at the main building.

3. Yeti HQ refresh ($2.1 million): The Yeti headquarters building in Austin will undergo a renovation. 

4. UT Austin President's Office renovation ($1 million): This project involves the renovation of the main suite to serve as the temporary President’s Office during the main building restoration.

5. Smiling Donuts ($120,000): A new Smiling Donuts location is coming to Austin.

Texas voters will choose from Republican Bo French, Libertarian Arthur DiBianca and Democrat Jon Rosenthal in this November's Texas Railroad Commission race.

The details: The winner of the race will be sworn in to replace incumbent Commissioner Jim Wright in January.

French beat Wright in a May Republican primary runoff, advancing to the general election. Rosenthal ran uncontested in the March Democratic primary, while DiBianca was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Did you know? The three-member railroad commission does not have any jurisdiction over the state's railroads—that authority was transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation and the federal government by 2005, according to the commission's website. Instead, the agency regulates Texas' oil and gas industries.

Looking ahead: Early voting in dozens of local and state races runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.