Austin officials approved more than $4 million in contract extensions for public health, housing, legal aid and food access programs Sept. 24.

The details: The approvals came despite some reservations about spending and oversight after compliance issues were reported across Austin's social services portfolio; city memos outlining the contracts and detailed staff evaluations weren't distributed to officials until after they voted.

Most council members still voted to extend the more than a dozen contracts this fall to avoid service gaps in the months ahead. And both elected officials and city staff are planning for a more rigorous review and funding changes for social service contractors ahead of the next fiscal year 2027-28.

Multiple candidates across Austin's five City Council races failed to meet deadlines for filing required financial disclosures this year.

The details: Candidates seeking office in the November 2026 contests were required to submit financial statements by late August and early September. Missed filings are violations of local and state ethics rules that can be punishable as misdemeanor offenses.

What happened: After being contacted about missed filings, several candidates said they'd be submitting their forms or already had.

What else: Separately, the Ethics Review Commission voted unanimously to begin sending reminders to all City Council candidates about campaign deadlines to help increase future compliance.

As Round Rock ISD staff forecast a multi-million-dollar shortfall for the district's self-funded health insurance going into 2027, the district is proposing an increase to employee healthcare costs.

The big picture: Historically, RRISD has absorbed cost increases for healthcare using its fund balance. However, costs have risen for many things in recent years, including healthcare claims, and the district can no longer prevent these increases from being passed on to employees, Chief Human Resources Officer Eddie Curran said Sept. 17.

The options: Curran said the district is exploring more expensive plan options or could choose to end its self-funded health plan and join the state's Teacher Retirement System ActiveCare program.

What they're saying: Tammy Conrad, the president of the district's teachers union, Education Round Rock, called on the district to find another option that does not potentially wipe out any pay increases that could come from the passage of the VATRE.

COTALAND, the new theme park located at the Circuit of the Americas, celebrated its grand opening weekend on Sept. 26-27.

Learn more: COTALAND is located track-side between turns 19 and 20 on the race circuit, and offers more than 30 experiences, according to the release. There are both kid-friendly rides and first-of-its-kind roller coasters. Attractions include:

• Circuit Breaker: Texas’ first tilt roller coaster

• Palindrome: The only steel roller coaster to operate over an active roadway

• Hot Lap: An add-on experience that features a ride along the F1 track

The park was designed as a year-round entertainment destination, offering family attractions, rides, motorsports experiences, live entertainment and food. Its opening furthers COTA's mission to expand beyond a professional racetrack into a full-scale entertainment campus, according to a news release.