Round Rock City Council Meeting – May 28, 2026: Oath of Office and Regular Business
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Round Rock City Council Meeting – May 28, 2026
The Round Rock City Council convened on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting began with the swearing-in of newly elected Council Members Michelle Ly (Place 1), Frank Ortega (Place 4), and Mayor Craig Morgan, followed by citizen communication, approval of a consent agenda, adoption of eight resolutions, and a budget ordinance amendment. All votes were unanimous (7-0).
Oath of Office (Items D1-D3)
- Councilmember Michelle Ly (Place 1) was sworn in. She thanked her family and the community for their trust.
- Councilmember Frank Ortega (Place 4) was sworn in, expressing gratitude to his wife, staff, and citizens.
- Mayor Craig Morgan was sworn in, thanking his family, consultants, and the city staff, and noting that the election affirmed the council’s direction despite “noise from people that do not live here.” He promised to listen, learn, and serve with humility.
Public Comments & Testimony
- One citizen (a U.S. Army veteran) spoke against a previously approved data center development. He questioned the 7-0 council vote, the amount of research done, and the lack of evidence on impacts to the power grid, water prices, and electricity costs. He noted that 3,000 citizens signed a petition opposing the project and requested more regulation on data centers. Mayor Morgan thanked him for his service and invited him to set up a private meeting to discuss the data behind the decision.
Consent Calendar
- F.1–F.7 were approved unanimously with one motion. Items included: approval of May 14, 2026 meeting minutes; a resolution amending officers authorized for TexPool transactions; interlocal agreements with Fern Bluff MUD and Brushy Creek MUD for household hazardous waste; a change order for wastewater main rehabilitation; an assignment of an economic development agreement; and an engagement letter with Whitley Penn LLP for the 2026 audit.
Discussion Items
Resolutions (Items G.1–G.8)
- G.1 – Fire Pumper Apparatus: Authorized purchase of a fire pumper from Siddons-Martin Emergency Group for $939,950. The fire chief explained it replaces a squad vehicle and will be stationed at Station 2, enhancing firefighting capability. Unanimous.
- G.2 – Old Settler's Buildout Project (Recreation Center) Change Order #1: Approved $990,710 in savings returned to the city from construction buyout and unused contingency funds. Unanimous.
- G.3 – Bob Bennett Complex Phases II-IV Change Order #2: Approved $1,104,720 in savings returned to the city from the construction manager-at-risk agreement. Unanimous.
- G.4 – Fire Station No. 11 Project: Determined John King Construction, Ltd. as best value for a $10,507,372 design-build contract. The station will include a police satellite office, larger generator, and Z-accordion style doors. Construction starts June 2026, completion November 2027. Unanimous.
- G.5 – Brushy Creek East WWTP Expansion – Supplemental Contract #2: Approved $124,000 for Plummer Associates to assist with a $60 million Texas Water Development Board loan application for a 10 MGD expansion (90% Round Rock, 10% Austin). Unanimous.
- G.6 – Roadway Impact Fee Semi-Annual Report: Presented by staff. Since inception in 2019, collections total nearly $18 million; $9 million distributed to projects. Four service areas (A-D). The Capital Improvements Advisory Committee (CIAC) recommended approval. Unanimous.
- G.7 – Water and Wastewater Impact Fee Semi-Annual Report: Presented by Michael. Round Rock has ~39,000 water meters, average growth of 3,000 people/year. Impact fees collected: $2 million in past six months. City’s water rates remain low compared to neighbors. Council discussed water conservation and reuse successes. Unanimous.
- G.8 – Quarterly Financial and Investment Report: Presented by Kevin. Sales tax up 4.7% year-over-year; hotel occupancy rebounded to 64.3% in March; investment portfolio $517.6 million with yield 3.86% (above 1-year Treasury). Unanimous.
Ordinance (Item H.1)
- H.1 – Amendment No. 1 to FY 2025-2026 Operating Budget (First Reading): Approved with four amendments: (1) reappropriation of $360,100 (general fund) and $154,300 (law enforcement fund) for drone program equipment, offset by grant; (2) new utility billing coordinator position (prorated salary/benefits); (3) new marketing manager for sports tourism (prorated); (4) appropriation of $2,500 for library training room chairs from Friends of the Library donation. Unanimous.
Key Outcomes
- All three oaths of office were administered, and newly elected members gave remarks.
- The Consent Agenda was approved unanimously.
- All eight resolutions (G.1–G.8) were approved unanimously (7-0).
- Ordinance H.1 was approved unanimously on first reading (second reading may be dispensed with by unanimous vote per Charter Section 3.13).
- A citizen comment about data centers was received; Mayor Morgan offered to meet privately to discuss concerns.
- Council comments included congratulations to the re-elected officials and thanks to Parks and Rec for the Memorial Day event.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Tonight's invitation will be given by Pastor Mark Westerfield of Central Baptist Church. Pastor. I felt like I was a church with the time to start is now. Right. I'm here tonight to pray, especially for Craig, Frank, and Michelle, as they I know Michelle and Frank had hard campaigns to run. And uh but uh I'm glad you're re-elected for sure. And uh let me pray. Father, what a joy to stand before this council and lift them to you. Lord, especially Craig and Michelle and Frank as they have felt called once again to uh represent this city. And Father, I pray for the whole council that you would give them your mind of discernment and wisdom for this city, that you would give them ears to hear truth and hear uh what you uh guide them, Lord, that you would give them lips to speak kindness and speak with clarity as they lead the city. Lord, that you would give them strong backs as they carry the burden of this city, that you would give them strong legs as they walk out what they represent here. Lord, and then above all else, give them soft hearts. Lord, uh thick skin and soft hearts. Lord, because they gotta love this community, and uh Lord, I pray that you would give them a heart that represents you. So Lord, uh as Craig, Frank and Michelle start new terms, Lord, for such a time as this. The whole council is together and unified, and I'm grateful for them and grateful for uh this community, the way you bless us in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Mark, and thank you for everything you do in this community. And I want to welcome your daughter to Round Rock, Texas. She moved from London. So we got some uh big shoes to fill. I'll call a six o'clock city councilman to order, and please call the roll up. Mayor Morgan here, Mayor Pro Tim Stevens. Councilmember Lee. Here. Councilmember Florida. Here. Councilmember Fleming? Here. Councilmember Ortega? Here. Councilmember Montgomery. Here. All right, if you can stand with me for the pledges. Honor the Texas flag. Pledge allegiance to the Texas. One state under God. One minute. Let me give a little rundown of what we're going to do so everybody is aware. So we'll do the we'll do the oath of offices first, and then uh each council member will do take their oath and then come back to the dice. And then once we're all three done, uh we'll say a few words to our family and our supporters. Uh and then we'll take a five-minute recess to take pictures uh uh from city will take pictures and and that family wants to take pictures or friends. So uh we'll start with D1, administration oath of oath of office to the newly elected council member for place one, councilmember Lee. Well, Councilmember Lee is coming down. I just want to say what an honor it is to be able to come do this each year. Um it's an honor because it's I'm watching the way that you're running a government and operating a government and working a government, and it's a pleasure to see how it can operate uh when you're working together for a common uh goal. Doesn't mean you always agree, but when I see you disagree, you're disagreeing in search of a better solution, and that's the way it's supposed to be. You're not disagreeing uh for fame and fortune, you're disagreeing because you really are interested in what this city does and what it accomplishes in the citizens.
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