Round Rock City Council Packet Briefing - June 9, 2026

The Round Rock City Council held its packet briefing on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 7:30 AM in the City Council Chambers to review items scheduled for the June 11 City Council meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Kristin Stevens presided in the absence of Mayor Craig Morgan. The briefing included citizen communication, a proclamation, staff updates, and council questions regarding the consent agenda, resolutions, and ordinances. No formal votes were taken; items were discussed for action at the upcoming regular meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Councilmembers reviewed consent agenda items G4 through G6. Councilmember Flores asked whether G4 (police uniform and equipment purchases) was split evenly between police and fire; staff stated it is an as-needed contract covering uniforms, ammunition, firearms, and Whelen warning lights. Councilmember Ortega asked about G5 (IT expenditures); staff confirmed funding would come from the tech fund and project funds, with the contract being an extension of the existing Ford AV contract. Councilmember Ortega's question on G6 (library workflow distribution) was deferred; staff will provide an answer on Thursday.

Public Comments & Testimony

• James Cook (2004 Creek View Drive) expressed concern about a proposed hike and bike trail easement that appears on his property's survey dating from the late 1970s. He stated the trail crosses three properties, ends at Lake Creek, and goes nowhere. His potential first-time home buyers are concerned about cyclists using the backyard. He requested clarification on whether the easement will be used, removed, or annotated so buyers can be reassured. He offered copies of the survey and photographs for staff.
• Mary Beth Ray, the realtor for the buyers and president of the neighborhood HOA, added historical context, noting the plat recorded by Glenn Lane (now deceased) contained an annotation "to be conveyed" but had never been acted upon. The properties have been fenced for decades. She asked the city to clarify the intent and whether the trail would ever be built. Staff directed them to Brad Wiseman for follow-up.

Staff Briefing

• Staff briefed the council on the June 11 City Council meeting agenda: a proclamation for Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day, a presentation from the 2026 spring university graduating class, and an update from the police department. No council questions were raised.

Proclamation

• The council read and presented a proclamation declaring June 7, 2026, as World Food Safety Day in the City of Round Rock. The proclamation highlighted the 2026 theme "From Burden to Solutions: Safe Food Everywhere" and acknowledged the work of the Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD). Amber Erickson, WCCHD Executive Director, received the proclamation.

Resolutions

• H1 – Fire Station #10 Change Order: Staff reviewed a quantity adjustment change order with Braun & Butler Construction Inc. for miscellaneous design and owner-initiated changes, totaling $99,519.89, to be added to the owner betterment embedded in the contract. No questions were raised.
• H2 – Gattis School Road Segment 6 Change Order: Staff presented a $76,000 true-up change order with Smith Contracting Company, resulting from missing or incorrect materials and credits for materials already on hand. Estimated completion is October–December 2027. Councilmember Fleming asked about sequencing with Red Bud; staff stated Red Bud North is under design and construction would likely begin after Gattis School 6, possibly in 2028. Councilmember Flores asked about nearly $300,000 in missing materials; staff clarified the materials were incorrect or returned, not stolen.
• H3 – Kenney Fort Blvd Segment 5 Land Purchase: Staff recommended approval of a real estate contract with Avery Ranch Company LTD for a 1.62-acre parcel at $2.29 per square foot, totaling $162,000, required for the Kenney Fort Boulevard Segment 5 project. Councilmember Fleming asked how the price was determined; staff replied it matched a previous purchase price from the same sellers.
• H4 – Westinghouse Road Water Transmission Line: Staff presented a $235,000 engineering services contract with STV Inc. for preliminary design of a 30–36-inch parallel water transmission line along Westinghouse Road to serve the northeast part of Round Rock. No questions were raised.
• H5/H6 – Hutto Wastewater CCN Amendment: Staff explained the proposed interlocal agreement with the City of Hutto for a wastewater Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) amendment on a 31-acre tract (Arden Tract) at Red Bud Lane and County Road 123. Hutto has agreed to release the tract, allowing Round Rock to serve the property; the agreement would be submitted to the Public Utility Commission. A related item (H6) would require Round Rock to withhold building permits until the developer, Pulte Homes, compensates Hutto for the loss of future wastewater customers. Councilmembers discussed the tract's city limits status, floodplain issues, required lift station infrastructure, and the typical nature of such CCN negotiations.

Ordinances

• I1 – Repeal of Citizen Agenda Item Process: City Attorney Sheets provided a history of the Open Meetings Act and Round Rock's charter, explaining that a 1978 ordinance went beyond state law by allowing citizens to place items on the agenda. The provision had never been used in 45 years, and no other Texas city allows it. Councilmember Fleming clarified that citizens may still speak for three minutes under Citizen Communication, and two councilmembers can request an item be placed on the agenda. The repeal was presented for the June 11 meeting.
• I2 – Budget Amendment: Amendment No. 1 to the FY 2025-2026 operating budget, second reading, was reviewed with no questions.
• I3 – PUD #23 Amendment (Preserve at Stone Oak): Staff presented a major amendment allowing limited commercial development on Parcel 4E near RM 1431 and Stone Oak Drive. Proposed uses include daycare (reduced from 20,000 to 15,000 sq ft), fuel sales (max 8 pumps), auto services, restaurants (bars prohibited), drive-throughs, dog daycare, and specialty gyms, all with heightened setbacks and restrictions. The amendment changes the base zoning from OF to C1A, prohibits certain intense uses, requires a four-foot pedestrian path, and includes site elevation studies for compatibility walls. Karst features and tree preservation were discussed. Planning and Zoning approved it 5-0 on May 19, 2026. Councilmembers asked about building heights, private drive maintenance, fence height (6 ft vs 8 ft), tree survey timing, and cave buffer areas.
• I4 – Historic Property Tax Exemption: Staff reviewed the annual partial tax exemption program for historically significant properties. In 2026, 51 applications were received; the Historic Preservation Commission recommended 48 properties receive exemptions totaling $170,588 (11 residential average $1,626, 37 commercial average $4,127). Three properties were recommended to fail due to recurring maintenance issues. Councilmembers discussed the program's incentive structure and the lack of other enforcement mechanisms.

WCCHD Update

• Amber Erickson, Executive Director of the Williamson County and Cities Health District, provided an update on services. She noted the district's funding breakdown: 35% county, 10% member cities, 29% state grants/contracts, and the remainder from fees and other sources. She highlighted clinical services (2,100 immunizations, 29 TB cases with 300+ contacts), WIC growth and virtual check-ins, environmental health (restaurant inspections, mosquito surveillance), preparation for potential Ebola cases, and a new mobile food vendor permitting change effective July 1, 2026, shifting to a statewide permit. She also mentioned the district's new podcast "Public Health Is." Councilmember Flores asked about funding demand; Erickson confirmed demand exceeds funding. Councilmember Montgomery asked whether people are ever turned away; Erickson said they try not to, but eligibility programs have strict requirements.

WCAD Presentation

• Alvin Langford, Chief Appraiser of the Williamson Central Appraisal District (WCAD), presented property tax value data for Round Rock. He announced WCAD's awards (Top Workplaces, Doers Award, Certificate of Excellence, six transparency stars) and described tools like the sales comparison grid and website chat. He reported efficiency savings of approximately $8.7 million per year compared to the average appraisal district. Key market data for 2026: total market value rose from $30.28 billion to $30.58 billion; taxable value rose from $26.49 billion to $27.14 billion. Residential median value fell from $402,000 to $377,000. There were 610 new residential improvements, 217 new multifamily units, and 10 new commercial improvements. The homestead exemption increased to $140,000, and House Bill 9 now exempts the first $125,000 of business personal property. The circuit breaker limitation on non-homestead property ends this year. Protest data showed 108,000 total protests; property owners achieved a median 2.39% change, while agents with large accounts achieved 0.88% and smaller agents 1.1%. Councilmembers asked about the effectiveness of tax agents, protest success, and appraisal methodology.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during the packet briefing; all items will be considered at the June 11, 2026, City Council meeting.
• Councilmember Ortega's question on the library consent item (G6) will be answered by staff on Thursday.
• Citizen communication from James Cook and Mary Beth Ray was referred to Brad Wiseman for follow-up.
• The council received the WCCHD update and the WCAD presentation; Councilmember Flores requested a copy of the appraisal district presentation.
• Staff will bring forward resolutions and ordinances as presented for consideration at the regular meeting.