Round Rock City Council Meeting – August 13, 2026

The Round Rock City Council met on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting covered proclamations, a fire department update, approval of consent and regular agenda items including the proposed property tax rate, and several ordinances addressing real estate signs, a PUD amendment, accessory building setbacks, and comprehensive plan/code changes for multifamily development. The council also made appointments to boards and commissions and recessed into executive session, taking no action afterward.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• E1 – Proclaimed August 2026 as “Children’s Vision & Learning Month.” A doctor and parent testified about the importance of comprehensive eye exams, noting that one in four school-age children has undiagnosed vision problems and that basic screenings miss up to 75% of functional issues. The proclamation was adopted.
• E2 – Proclaimed June 29, 2026, as “Impact Forward Community Service and Youth Leadership Day.” The student-led organization’s president and vice president highlighted their achievements (8,000 volunteer hours, 5,000 pounds of e-waste donated, six chapters across two states). Council praised their leadership.
• E3 – Proclaimed August 2026 as “CAPCOG Emergency Management Awareness Month.” Fire Chief read the proclamation; the emergency manager’s remarks were read by the chief.

Fire Department Update (F1)

Chief Glazier presented the 2026 department update. Key statistics (through July 31, 2026):

• Total calls: 14,281, projected fiscal-year finish of 17,122 calls, a 7.2% increase over FY2025.
• Average turnout time: 1 minute for medical calls; 1 minute 20 seconds for other calls.
• Average emergent travel time: 5 minutes 7 seconds.
• Per call, 1.28 units respond on average.
• Crisis Response Unit (CRU) had 2,011 callouts, served 660 unique patients, average on-scene time 58 minutes. Homeless encounters: 147 individuals, 532 encounters (averaging 3.6 per person). Housing instability cases also addressed.
• Training: 650 firefighters trained, including regional high-rise drills with neighboring departments.
• Prevention: Annual inspection pass rates – high hazard 99-100%, schools 100%, strip centers 20% (first time).
• Current stations: 9 in operation; Station 10 opens October 2026; Station 11 breaks ground, opening late 2027.
• 1,600 applications for 6 firefighter positions; budgeting for 15 new firefighters this year. Council thanked the department and asked about call volume trends, transport rates (60-75% of motor vehicle accidents result in transport), and staffing process.

Consent Calendar

All items G1 through G10 were approved by unanimous roll-call vote. No items were removed for separate discussion. Items included:

• G1: Approval of July 23, 2026, meeting minutes.
• G2: Agreement with Mobotrex, LLC for traffic signal systems and safety barriers.
• G3: Agreement with Centerline Supply, Inc. for highway safety and traffic control products.
• G4: Change Order No. 2 with Patin Construction, LLC for West Transmission Main Valve Replacement.
• G5: Change Order No. 2 with Royal Vista, Inc. for Cycle 4 Basins 1 & 2 Wastewater Main Rehabilitation.
• G6: Ordinance designating East New Hope Drive and Mayfield Ranch Boulevard as all-way stop (second reading).
• G7: Engagement letter with Allensworth Law to defend litigation in Thalle Construction Company, Inc. v. City of Round Rock.
• G8: Agreement with Dell Marketing L.P. for Dell products and services.
• G9: Purchase order to McCoy-Rockford, Inc. for Police Department furniture.
• G10: Agreement with Professional Turf Products, LP for grounds maintenance equipment.

Resolutions (H1–H10)

All resolutions were approved by roll-call votes, except where noted.

• H1 – Accepted the quarterly financial and investment report for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Sales tax trending 11.3% above prior year. Unemployment in Round Rock was 4.1% (preliminary). The city’s investment portfolio balance: $638.5 million. (Unanimous)
• H2 – Set the maximum proposed property tax rate for tax year 2026 at 42.3 cents per $100 valuation, an increase of 3.8 cents (9.8%) over the no-new-revenue rate. The increase funds public safety positions (7 police officers, 1 emergency management coordinator), operations/maintenance of voter-approved bond projects (Fire Station 11, 15 firefighters), the Athletic Performance Center (17 new FTEs), the multipurpose complex, and debt service for bond projects. For the median-valued home ($370,288), the annual city tax bill would be $1,566, an increase of $141 over the no-new-revenue rate. Public hearing set for August 27, 2026, with final adoption September 10, 2026. (Unanimous)
• H3 – Change Order No. 1 with Texas Materials Group, Inc. for the 2025 Arterial Street Maintenance Program ($315,000 increase; total $3.2 million). (Unanimous)
• H4 – Change Order No. 6 with Patin Construction, LLC for the Old Settlers Boulevard Extension Project ($321,000 decrease; project near completion, opening in a few weeks). (Unanimous)
• H5 – Change Order No. 1 with Cash Construction Company, Inc. for Chisholm Trail South Improvements (Old Town) ($306,000; project expected to finish before October 2026). (Unanimous)
• H6 – Contract with JL Gray Construction for Eagles Nest Street – Phase 1 ($3.5 million, low bid from 12 bidders; 9-month project). (Unanimous)
• H7 – Approved Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District FY 2027 Allocated Budget for the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System (monthly payments: $46,000 flow charge, $43,000+ capital charge, plus administrative fee). (Unanimous)
• H8 – Approved Fern Bluff Municipal Utility District FY 2027 Allocated Budget (monthly payments: ~$23,900). (Unanimous)
• H9 – Approved the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority (BCRUA) FY 2026-2027 budget. Round Rock’s portion: $2.6 million operating, $9.2 million debt service, total $11.9 million. Total budget for all three cities: $41 million. (Unanimous)
• H10 – Authorized Supplemental Contract No. 4 with Plummer Associates, Inc. for the BCRWWS East WWTP Expansion construction phase services ($1.4 million; Round Rock’s 12% share = $171,000). The project is significantly behind schedule; council noted litigation and avoided discussion of cause. (Unanimous)

Ordinances (I1–I5)

• I1 – Amended Chapter 8, Section 8-87 regarding real estate marketing sign placement hours. Changed start time from noon to 6:00 AM on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, and added Friday hours from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A real estate broker spoke in support. Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval. Passed unanimously on first reading; second reading dispensed with unanimously.
• I2 – Approved Amendment No. 1 to Planned Unit Development No. 32 (Volger/Prewitt Tract) to incorporate 0.99 acres for a black box theater (arts and public facility uses). The existing PUD includes Round Rock Christian Academy and a senior living facility. Uses allowed: performing arts theater, art studios, professional offices, private school, place of worship. Setbacks reduced to 10 feet; height limit 40 feet for theater, one story for other uses; 100% masonry exterior. Approved unanimously on first and second readings.
• I3 – Amended Zoning and Development Code to clarify accessory building setback requirements on corner lots in SF-1, SF-2, SF-3 districts (explicitly stating buildings cannot be placed within 5 feet of side street property line). Also corrected outdated cross-references in Chapters 2, 8, and 10. Approved unanimously on first and second readings.
• I4 – Amended the Comprehensive Plan 2030 to modify housing policy: removed separation requirements for medium-density multifamily (formerly required half-mile buffer from existing multifamily and 500-feet buffer from single-family homes); removed the goal that multifamily should be no more than 20% of housing stock; updated multifamily development type descriptions and location criteria. Approved unanimously on first reading; second reading dispensed with.
• I5 – Amended Zoning and Development Code to update MF-2 (Medium Density Multifamily) design and development standards. Changes include: maximum building height increased from 4 to 5 stories (with increased setbacks); changed front setback from minimum 15 feet to maximum 25 feet (build-to line); increased minimum enclosed garage parking from 25% to 35% (allowing tuck-under, detached, or structured garages); added requirement that 25% of units have balconies (Juliet balconies only when facing single-family neighborhoods); added amenity and landscaping requirements. Approved unanimously on first and second readings.

Appointments

• J1 – Approved appointments to Boards and Commissions: Transportation and Economic Development Corp. (Michelle Sherwood, Ebony Howard, Lucia Mergia, William “Rob” Wentz); Planning and Zoning Commission (Hollis Bone, Casey Clausen, James Holloway, Ritt Basy, Mike Beach, Terrell Lessensi, Matthew Cohen); Historic Preservation Commission (Shagufta DeLam, Robert Donahue, Shirley Marquart, Gordon Stir); Zoning Board of Adjustment/Building Standards (Christopher Coob, Frank Lilly, Alan Sims, Shannon Probe, Derek White); Ethics Review Commission (Andrew Collins, Kyle Craig, Michael Sprats). Unanimous.
• J2 – Confirmed re-appointment of Chuck Sanders to the Civil Service Commission for a three-year term. Unanimous.

Council Comments Regarding Items of Community Interest

Councilmembers wished happy birthdays to Councilmember Fleming and Councilmember Ortega (both have birthdays). Councilmember Stevens praised the inaugural Art Fest organized by Sarah and Scott Anderson, noting it was a success despite the heat. Mayor Morgan expressed regret for missing Art Fest and looked forward to year two.

Executive Session (L1)

The council recessed into executive session at 7:55 PM under Texas Government Code §551.087 to deliberate economic development incentives. Reconvened at 8:19 PM with no action taken. The meeting adjourned.