Leander ISD could see a multimillion dollar bond on the ballot in November. Citizens' Facility Advisory Committee steering committee co-Chairs Rachel Lilla and Clint Pruett presented the bond project recommendations during the July 30 board meeting. 

Some context: According to Lilla, the majority of projects span facilities, safety and security, student programs and support, and energy efficiency and conservation. The recommendations are based off two options: a four-year cycle, which "casts a wider net," and a three-year cycle, which would reduce the scope and overall cost of the bond.

Breaking it down: The three-year cycle bond recommendation list would cost $591.23 million, and the four-year cycle would cost $708.5 million. 

Next steps: The board will have final bond and voter-approval tax rate election discussions at its next meeting Aug. 6, and must call for an election by Aug. 17 in order to place the bond package or VATRE on the November ballot.

Westlake Dermatology will open a new location in Leander near the Cedar Park border, Director of Marketing Karen Friedman said.

The details: The new clinic will be located in the Leander Union development along Crystal Falls Parkway. The location will offer comprehensive medical and aesthetic dermatology care, the company’s website states. Services include Botox, dermal fillers, advanced laser treatments, chemical peels and more.

What else? Dermatologist Dr. Lisa Akintilo will join the company as the lead provider at the new clinic, Friedman said. Physician Assistant Noet Avila and Nurse Practitioner Lee-Ann Tanza will also provide care.

The Leander location will be the company’s 22nd across Texas, Friedman said. As of late July, appointments are available for booking at the Leander clinic.

Check out six stories trending in the Austin area July 27-30. 

1. 8 new and coming soon businesses to west Georgetown

2. Urban Egg to open its first Austin location this fall

3. Hao Hao Vietnamese & Chinese Restaurant planned for Pflugerville

4. Two Tim Hortons locations coming to Leander’s Hero Way, Ronald Reagan

5. A Little Shady announces opening date of Kyle location

6. Road work projects around CedarView development to be completed before Scheels opening

This summer, Texas is launching a new process to study the viability of data centers and other large projects seeking to connect to the state’s power grid. The process’ strict requirements could deter major industrial projects from coming to the state, experts warn.

The overview: The Electric Reliability Commission of Texas’ new "batch study process" will require that large projects be evaluated in groups, rather than individually. The process was developed in response to Texas’ data center boom.

What they're saying: All projects that would use at least 75 megawatts of electricity will be required to participate in the batch process—including industrial and hydrogen production facilities. However, industrial and manufacturing projects operate differently from data centers and may not be able to meet some of the batch requirements, industry representatives said July 29.

In a state that works to attract major companies and bills itself as business-friendly, that’s a concern, lawmakers said.

"Where are y'all at on trying to differentiate those types of traditional, enterprise, big commercial, large load projects?" Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, asked.