The Georgetown ISD board of trustees approved up to $6 million in unspent 2021 bond funds to be spent on campus upgrades and improved radio network infrastructure May 18.

By the numbers: GISD funded seven initiatives using unspent 2021 bond funds. The largest chunk of this sum will allocate up to $3.5 million to upgrade aging playground equipment at GISD’s older elementary schools and install poured-in-place rubber surfacing at all of the district’s elementary campuses.

Additionally, the district has dedicated up to $1 million to replace kitchen equipment across campuses.

The context: While school bonds can be used for investments in assets and infrastructure, they typically cannot be used for operating costs.

Commercial National Bank is building a new location off Williams Drive in Georgetown.

The big picture: As a full-service community bank, the branch will offer checking, savings and retirement accounts as well as lending options for both personal and commercial needs.

Construction on the new Georgetown location is in the early stages, bank Vice President Brian Harris said.

The new location will add to the bank's existing presence in Central Texas, which includes branches in Brady, San Saba, Burnet, Granite Shoals and Marble Falls.

• 3900 Williams Drive, Georgetown

Williamson County commissioners formally authorized a land purchase and funding mechanism May 19 for a 255-acre tract in southwest Georgetown intended for the justice center.

What happened: Located on SE Inner Loop adjacent to the new county administration building, commissioners said the location will allow for efficient government operations and meet the needs of the growing population.

The vote to close on the land sale passed 4-0, with County Judge Steve Snell absent.

Commissioners also authorized up to $150 million in tax anticipation notes, a short-term funding strategy to minimize interest, that will cover the $76 million land cost.

What they’re saying: Many county residents spoke during the public comment period to oppose the location of the proposed justice center, saying that it is too close to nearby neighborhoods and schools.

Commissioners acknowledged the comments and concerns of residents, but decided to proceed with the project. County officials said the current justice facilities have urgent infrastructure needs that require timely attention.

From a new apartment community in Austin to a trail in Cedar Park, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Pflugerville Business Park ($37 million): This project involves the construction of the shell industrial buildings with speculative office space in each.

2. Oak Hill Highline Phase II ($26 million): Construction on a 129,306-square-foot apartment community will begin in September.

3. Buda Sportsplex Phase I ($15.2 million): A multifaceted expansion and enhancement of the Buda Sportsplex began last summer and will run through September.

4. Lakeline Park to WilCo trail connection and pedestrian bridge ($9.65 million): This project involves the construction of a one-mile trail connecting Lakeline Park to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, including a pedestrian bridge crossing South Bell Boulevard.

5. Cedar Park Police Department dispatch renovation ($3 million): This project involves approximately 5,000 square feet of office space renovation for the communications center relocation. 

On May 26, Republican voters will choose their nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission in a runoff election between former Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French and incumbent Jim Wright.

The overview: The Republican railroad commission race is one of several statewide contests that advanced to May runoffs after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 primary election.

Wright and French were the two highest-performing candidates in the five-way primary race, with Wright receiving 32.1% of the vote and French collecting 31.7%.

The winner of the May 26 overtime round will face state Rep. John Rosenthal, D-Houston, in the November midterm election. Third-party candidates may also appear on the November ballot.

Did you know? The railroad commission regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry, while the state's railroads are under the control of the Texas Department of Transportation and the federal government. The agency has three commissioners elected to staggered six-year terms.

At the polls: Texans can vote early from May 18-22, with runoff election day May 26.