ATX-LTW: Impact 10/20/2025

From a new proposed library in Bee Cave to sales tax elections, here is what Lake Travis-Westlake residents need to know about the Nov. 4 election.

City of Bee Cave

• Proposition A: Shall the city be allowed to construct a new public library located generally on 21.067 acres known locally as the Skaggs property for the purpose of providing library services to the public?
• Proposition B: The issuance of $19.98 million in general obligation bonds for a new city library, related site development and related parking infrastructure, and the imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds.

• Proposition A: The reauthorization of a local sales and use tax in the city of Rollingwood at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to continue to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.

Bee Cave Mayor Kara King announced this fall that she will run in the Republican primary election to represent Texas’ 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in March.

The overview: In a video shared to Facebook on Oct. 15, King announced her campaign to run for District 10 representative. King stated that she would complete her term as mayor of Bee Cave in May.

“This spring, you still have a chance to vote for me; it’s just going to be on a different ballot," King said.

The details: District 10’s current representative, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, announced his decision not to pursue reelection Sept. 15. According to a new campaign webpage, King will run on a platform that supports “strong borders, strong families, [and] safe communities,” with King also declaring her support for President Donald Trump and the America First movement.

The filing window for candidates in the 2026 primary election will be open from Nov. 8-Dec. 8, with the primary election slated for March 3.

Check out the latest updates from the Lake Travis ISD board of trustees' Oct. 15 meeting. 

Library books approved: The board approved the list of library materials recommended by the School Library Advisory Council. Of the 2,588 books needed to be considered, each SLAC member received 189 books to review. Of these, 92 had comments to be reviewed.

New counseling resources and a grant: LTISD recently launched a community resource directory, which includes resources for mental health services, housing assistance and more, and a virtual parent workshop series. Upcoming workshops include a fentanyl presentation by the Forever 15 Project on Oct. 27. LTISD was also one of three Texas districts to receive a counseling service grant to promote career, college and military readiness and CTE.

District receives 'superior achievement' financial rating for 23rd year in a row: LTISD received 94 out of 100 possible points, or an "A" rating, from the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. Of the 21 financial scoring indicators, 11 are given a "pass/fail" and 10 indicators are scored from 1-10.

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from
Oct. 13-17.

1. Williamson County Fair and Rodeo coming to Taylor in October

2. Trader Joe’s expected to begin construction in Cedar Park this January

3. Pflugerville home sales decline, prices drop in Hutto

4. Austin ISD offers naming rights at district facilities to generate additional revenue

5. 'Shovel-ready:' Austin ISD nears groundbreaking on affordable apartment community

6. Home sale prices continue to decline in September for Cedar Park and Far Northwest Austin

Officials are readying for the impending expansion of flying vehicle use, and reviewing how the city will be able to regulate the new mode of transportation in Austin's skies.

The details: Plans for the rollout of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, or eVTOL, aircraft are already in the works in other major cities, and Austin should prepare sooner than later for local impacts in the near future, Assistant City Manager Mike Rogers told City Council. Austin leaders should start considering eVTOLs' likely impacts on Austin's zoning, utilities, transportation networks and public safety while new regulations between local, state and federal governments are decided, he said.

Following a June executive order from President Donald Trump, the Federal Aviation Administration is working to launch an eVTOL pilot program that could involve local governments like Austin. Rogers said it remains to be seen how the city could get involved with that work or other partnerships with aircraft companies.

Early voting in the Nov. 4 election begins Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. During early voting, registered voters can cast ballots at any polling place within their county of residence, according to the secretary of state’s office.

What to bring: Voters must bring one of seven forms of identification to the polls:

• A Texas driver license (issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety)
• A Texas personal ID card (issued by the DPS)
• A Texas handgun license (issued by the DPS)
• A Texas election ID certificate (issued by the DPS)
• A U.S. military ID card with the voter’s photograph
• A U.S. citizenship certificate with the voter’s photograph
• A U.S. passport

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, is relaunching as the InCIder this month.

“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.”

The InCIder program currently gives donors access to a special Saturday email edition across each metro: Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio.

Memberships are currently $10 per month or $110 annually. A membership will include the previously mentioned perks, as well as:

• Quarterly discounts at local businesses 
• Invites to in-person events
• Optional naming and “thank you” in our newspaper
• Community Impact swag
• InCIder anniversary gift