ATX-LLH: Impact 10/29/2025

Leander ISD's annual demographic report is now available through Population and Survey Analysts, showing LISD's stabilized enrollment, new single-family and multi-family housing construction, and more.

Major takeaways: LISD is past its high-growth phase and is approaching a stabilization phase, PASA officials said. Between 2019 and 2024, the population of people living within LISD boundaries has increased by about 12%, but the proportion of school aged children has gotten smaller, from 21% to 18%.

Another detail: Over the next ten years there are 15 single-family subdivisions located in the north or north-central part of the district that could add thousands of units. Still, LISD's declining student ratios is due to alternative educational opportunities, such as an increase in charter school opportunities. 

Something to note: Some community members have suggested that their neighborhoods are regenerating due to homes being sold in their neighborhood and seeing babies or new families moving in. However, regeneration drives enrollment stabilization, not growth, PASA officials said. 

Fifty/50 Pilates has confirmed it is expected to open a second location in Leander.

The specifics: Community members can check out the business’s fitness options, from tech-forward reformer pilates and instructor-led classes to strength and sculpt classes and yoga sessions.

Classes for all experience levels from beginner to advanced are available. The fitness center features a virtual room where attendees can practice individually by selecting a course from the content library to create their own workout session with one of the room’s eight reformers.

The background: The company was started by locals Brett Eaton, Sharon Arellano and Melina Hattan. Its first location launched in December 2024 at 2015 Little Elm Trail, Ste. 500, Cedar Park.

• 133 Collective Way, Ste. 130, Leander

Therapy Pet Pals of Texas was founded in Austin in 1984 by Kathryn Lashmit, and has been offering pet visitations to the elderly and infirm in Texas ever since.

The overview: Therapy Pet Pals of Texas is a private nonprofit created with the goal of assisting the elderly, terminally ill and mentally or physically challenged through pet visitations at nursing homes, medical hospitals, rehabilitation centers and other special needs facilities.

The benefits: Pet visitations offered by volunteers and their therapy dogs can provide a positive bonding experience for those confined to institutional living facilities, according to the nonprofit’s website.

“The residents just know when you're coming. They remember the dog's name, not always yours. It's all about the dogs for us,” Executive Director Nancy Gray said. “And [the residents] just smile. Sometimes they've told us that they were in pain, but once the dog comes, they feel they don't think about their pain for that few minutes they can hug on the dog, or sometimes they just want to talk to you.”

Texas homeowners could see larger property tax breaks on this year’s bills if voters approve two state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The details: Proposition 13 would raise the property tax exemption on a Texas homeowner’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, from $100,000 to $140,000. Proposition 11 would give homeowners who are over 65 years old or have a disability a $200,000 exemption.

The exemptions would apply only to taxes charged by public schools.

The impact: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, the Houston Republican who authored the legislation, estimated in June that the average Texas homeowner would see about $484 in annual savings if the tax cuts are approved by voters, with roughly $950 in savings for seniors and people with disabilities. These estimates do not account for potential tax rate increases by local governments.

If voters approve the two ballot measures, the cuts will take effect for the current tax year and appear on homeowners’ upcoming tax bills, according to the Texas House Research Organization.

The overview: As Community Impact enters its third decade, it’s returning to its roots of growth and deeper reader connections. The “Patron” program, which began in 2020 by reader demand, has relaunched as the InCIder.

“This relaunch represents our renewed commitment to readers who support our local news,” CEO John Garrett said. “Beyond funding great journalism, we also want to reward our InCIders and build deeper connections with them, creating a true sense of community around the work we do.”

Event details: As part of the relaunch, Community Impact will host its first-ever InCIder Hour, a new event aimed at celebrating and engaging the company’s supporters.

The event, open to InCIders only, will take place Nov. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Community Impact Headquarters, 16225 Impact Way, Pflugerville.

Guests will have the opportunity to network with fellow InCIders, meet Community Impact staff and attend a featured conversation with legislative reporter Hannah Norton, moderated by Garrett.

“Our first event needed to start where all the hard work is put together,” Garrett said. “People are blown away when they see our operation. To be able to sit and chat with the best legislative reporter in Texas, Hannah Norton, makes it an event our InCIder friends deserve and hopefully will enjoy.”