ATX-RRK: Impact 11/3/2025

Slim Chickens will open a Round Rock location in 2026, company representatives said in October. 

What you need to know: Slim Chickens offers a variety of chicken wings, tenders, sandwiches and other chicken-based menu items in addition to southern-style sides like macaroni and cheese, potato salad and fried pickles. 

City officials are encouraging residents to cut back on water use this winter as Round Rock prepares to calculate next year’s wastewater rates—based on how much water residents use between November and February.

The gist: Because wastewater is not metered, the city uses this four-month average, when outdoor watering is typically lowest, to determine each customer’s wastewater rate for the following year. Updated rates will appear on April 2026 bills.

What are the options?: The city recommends turning off sprinklers during cooler months, checking for leaks through the city’s Customer Portal and upgrading to water-efficient fixtures.

Labatt Food Services, a U.S. food service distributor, will build a new warehouse and facilities in Jarrell, near I-35 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard.

Williamson County commissioners approved a tax abatement agreement at an Oct. 21 meeting for the development in return for its $42 million investment in the county.

Diving in deeper: Labatt Food Services plans to build a 150,000-square-foot warehouse and ancillary facilities on a 48-acre tract in Jarrell, according to county documents. The estimated cost of the project, including the buildings, property improvements, machinery and other equipment, amounts to $42 million.

The specific terms of the tax abatement agreement with Labatt Food Services include a 30% property tax reduction for 10 years, contingent on the company hiring 150 permanent employees.

Here are the top Community Impact stories in the Austin area from Oct. 27-31.

1. Taiwan-based tech company to locate first US manufacturing facility in Georgetown

2. TxDOT spends $748M to burrow bus-size tunnels under Central Austin

3. The Flats opens in downtown Round Rock after relocation

4. Check out 3 of the latest development stories in Bastrop County

5. GFiber to start connecting Georgetown homes, businesses in 2026

6. New Bee Cave Trader Joe’s opens Oct. 29

Approximately 460,000 Texans have Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Advocates are encouraging Texas voters to approve State Proposition 14, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to spend $3 billion to launch the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

The overview: Proposition 14 would allocate $3 billion in state dollars to fund the institute for the next 10 years. The institute would work with researchers and doctors to study the prevention and treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

All funding for the institute would come from existing state revenue, donations and potential federal grants, meaning no new state taxes or fees would be created.

What they're saying: "If Proposition 14 passes, it really will establish Texas as an incredible leader in our country," neurological researcher Joshua Shulman said. 

At the polls: Early voting runs through Oct. 31, and Election Day is Nov. 4. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.