ATX-GEO: Impact 10/29/2025

Southwestern University has completed nearly 90% of its first-ever five-year tactical plan, spearheaded by President Laura Trombley. The plan focuses on five main priorities and 36 specific actions, bridging the goals of several other institutional plans.

The big picture: Professor Robert Bednar, co-chair of the university’s strategic planning committee, said Trombley’s approach is unique, favoring actionable items over abstract ones to create a “measurable, live document.”

“We have giant goals, but we have to get them tied down to, ‘What are we going to do to make them happen?’ and ‘How are we going to do them?’” Bednar said.

The details: The plan, which spans 2021-26, includes extensive campus renovations and new construction projects, and focuses on expanding academic offerings, improving compensation for faculty and staff, and increasing the school’s national recognition and community engagement within Georgetown.

Georgetown residents will soon have access to GFiber high-speed internet, following City Council’s approval of a license agreement with the service provider Oct. 14.

How it works: GFiber, formerly Google Fiber, involves underground installation to lay the fiber cables and offer connections to homes and businesses. The service first requires right-of-way access to install, maintain and operate the network, which Georgetown granted at its Oct. 14 meeting.

While GFiber works to install the network, road closures will be kept “to an absolute minimum," city officials said.

Looking ahead: GFiber will start construction in 2026, according to a city of Georgetown news release, and users can gain service as portions of the network are completed.

Construction will begin in the southeast portion of the city, John-Michael Cortez, head of government and media affairs for GFiber in Texas, said.

Once installation is complete, residents and business owners can choose GFiber for their internet service with options ranging from 1-3, and 8 gigabit service.

A second Tesla Supercharger is coming soon to Round Rock, between the Round Rock Premium Outlets and University Commons retail centers, and behind the H-E-B.

What you need to know: Round Rock city staff confirmed the project is in the works in October, but it is unclear when it may come online.

The Tesla Supercharger site also lists the location as "coming soon," with no targeted opening date.

Per project information from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which lists details of potential projects like renovations and construction, the charging station has an estimated construction cost of $230,000.

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.”