Where to find live music in Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill in late September, October
Upcoming live music events in the Cedar Park, Leander and Liberty Hill areas for Sept. 20-Oct. 21 include karaoke, open mic nights, Chris Hoff & The Hill Country Half-Timers and Lorna Shore.
Q&A: CollegePros consultant Kate Trent offers Central Texas students college application expertise
CollegePros co-owners Kate Trent and Kim Heffernan assist dozens of Central Texas high school students in determining their next steps after graduation each school year.
The overview: Trent and Heffernan, who were formerly educators in the Austin area, started CollegePros in 2023 to provide a range of supportive services for students in selecting a career path, successfully finding and applying to colleges as well as receiving financial aid.
Why it matters: The Central Texas-based business helps alleviate pressure for families who may not have the time or resources to navigate the increasingly complicated college application process, Trent said.
Learn more: Community Impact spoke with Trent about what students need to know as they prepare for graduation and beyond.
Williamson County commissioners reviewed the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan at the Sept. 9 meeting, allocating $25.5 million out of $41 million for new construction, expansions and technology.
What happened: In the first discussion of the CIP budget following the approval of the county budget, commissioners moved forward on projects associated with the Jail and Justice Center, a 911 training center, and the first phase of the Junior Justice Center expansion.
The commissioners allocated $1 million to purchase a building at 600 Forest Street, Georgetown to potentially house Jail and Justice Center offices. Commissioners voted 4-1 to fund the purchase, which was originally approved at an Aug. 26 meeting.
What else? Commissioners also allocated almost $4 million for contractors associated with the new justice center project. Other purchases include $4.6 million for a 911 training center in the Lake Creek annex.
What’s next: Commissioners will continue discussion on the CIP budget at the Sept. 16 meeting.
Travis County officials sign off on judicial pay raises amid ‘exceptionally tight budget’
Travis County commissioners on Sept. 9 approved a series of salary adjustments for judges and elected officials that will shape how taxpayer dollars are allocated in the upcoming budget.
The overview: District Judges will see their county supplement rise to the state-allowed maximum of $25,000, bringing their total salary to $200,000, with corresponding increases for County Court at Law Judges and the 3rd Court of Appeals. Associate judges will receive phased raises reaching $180,000 by 2027, a move judicial advocates said could improve retention, boost efficiency and reduce court backlogs.
What else? Nonjudicial elected officials, including commissioners and the county judge, will see a modest 1% raise, while broader compensation decisions for county staff remain pending. A market study, criticized by some Commissioners for flawed methodology, is under review, and the Human Resources Management Department has 60 days to conduct further analysis.
The outlook: Officials said limited funding and rising health insurance costs are constraining compensation options. The FY 2025-26 budget is scheduled for final approval Sept. 30.
