Round Rock City Council Meeting

Date: September 10, 2026 – 6:00 PM
Location: City Council Chambers, 221 East Main St.

The Round Rock City Council held a regular meeting to address a proclamation, department updates, consent agenda items, resolutions, ordinances, public hearings on the FY 2027 budget and tax rate, and other business. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM.

Consent Calendar

• E.1 – Approved minutes from the August 27, 2026 meeting.
• E.2 – Authorized the City Manager to execute pre‑approved budget contracts up to $350,000.
• E.3 & E.4 – Authorized agreements with Progressive Commercial Aquatics, LLC and Sunbelt Pools, Inc. for swimming pool chemicals, supplies, and equipment.
• E.5 – Authorized purchase of an Articulating Aerial Boom Lift from American Material Handling, Inc.
• E.6 – Adopted ordinance amending Chapter 44, Article VI (environmental services fees) – second reading.
• E.7 – Pulled from consent for separate discussion and later approved (see Key Outcomes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Peter Orr (1516 Ashwood Ct.) – Criticized the Transportation Department for poor oversight on the Green Lawn Boulevard street maintenance project, citing lack of traffic safety, no pre‑construction meeting, minimal inspections, and alleged use of a staging area for drinking beer. He called for a citizen oversight committee similar to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
• Rabbi Mendel Marisol (invocation) – Led an opening prayer, noting the upcoming Rosh Hashanah and September 11 remembrance.
• Alana Harrison (1024 Chadloop) – Speaking on the FY 2027 budget and water rates, she proposed maintaining the no‑new‑revenue residential tax rate by reducing Chapter 380 commercial incentives, and advocated for a tiered commercial water rate structure to shift revenue burden away from residents. She cited examples from Kalahari and Dell, and noted that cities like Kyle and San Antonio use tiered commercial rates.

Staff Presentations

• D.1 – Parks & Recreation Department Update
  Rick, Parks & Rec Director, presented a video and slides highlighting achievements:

  • Lakeview area – Over 240,000 visitors since opening; 52% from outside Round Rock; reallocated rangers due to peak usage.
  • Old Settlers Park expansion – 3,000 runners at the Turkey Trot; new pedestrian bridge and tunnels improved safety for runners/walkers.
  • Rockin’ River – 117,000 visitors in 77 days.
  • Playscapes – Joanne Land playground replaced with a larger, shaded structure.
  • Athletic Performance Center (APC) – New facility (synthetic turf, track, gymnasium, airnasium) planned; Gabby Thomas (three‑time Olympic gold medalist) endorsed the project via video. Justin Faulkner, a local high school track athlete, also expressed excitement.
  • Physical Therapy program – Operating at 30% capacity with 92% bookings; partnered with Texas State University for student training and bio lab collaboration.
  • Recognitions – Eight first‑place finishes in “Round Rock’s Best”; state championship for aquatics team (fourth year); awards for Thor’s Hammer trail campaign and the Unbirth Day Party (inclusion event).

• G.1 – Trails Plan Update (Playbook 2030)
  Tim Bergener (RVI) presented the Round Rock Trails Plan, emphasizing connectivity, safety, and economic development. Key recommendations included closing critical trail gaps (e.g., Heritage Trail East), improving crossings, and exploring Trail‑Oriented Development (TROD) in select areas (Heritage Trail, Georgetown Street, May Street). Case studies of successful TROD projects (Katy Trail in Dallas, BeltLine in Atlanta, Indianapolis Cultural Trail) were shown. The plan pairs trail investment with implementation tools such as overlay districts and development incentives.

Discussion Items

• F.1 – Fire Protection Agreement with ESD 9
  An interlocal agreement guarantees the city receives a minimum of 90% of property tax and sales tax collected by ESD 9. Estimated collections: $4.8 million property tax, $3 million sales tax in FY 2027. Approved.
• F.2 – CDBG Sidewalk Project (Parkside Circle)
  Construction contract with Ratliff Hardscape, Ltd. for $203,000 (low bid among eight); funded by HUD grant. Sidewalk will be 1,135 feet on one side of the street. Estimated completion: 4–6 months. Approved.
• F.3 – Brushy Creek East Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
  Supplemental contract #3 with Plummer Associates for $149,000 to add tasks related to flood plain analysis and regulatory compliance. Round Rock pays 60% of expansion cost; partners include Cedar Park, Leander, Austin. Approved.
• F.5 – Heritage Trail East Project
  Contract with Patin Construction, LLC for $6.591 million to close the trail gap from Mays Street to Georgetown Street, including a bridge under Main Street. Nine bidders; property donated by the Henna family. Approved.
• G.2 & G.3 – FY 2027 Budget and Property Tax Rate
  Kevin (budget director) presented: Total budget $684.1 million ($199.4 million general fund; $141.8 million utility fund); 52.5 new FTEs (48 in general fund for public safety, parks, etc.). Proposed tax rate $0.4230 per $100 valuation, an increase of 3.8 cents (9.8%) over the no‑new‑revenue rate. Median home value $370,288; median tax bill $1,566 ($131/month); increase of $11.64/month. The tax rate increase funds public safety (0.9¢), bond project operations (0.5¢), and debt service (2.4¢). 92% of parcels are residential; 52% of property tax revenue comes from commercial properties. Adopted.
• F.4 – Ratification of Property Tax Increase
  Resolution ratifying the tax increase reflected in the FY 2027 budget. Approved.
• E.7 – Water, Reuse Water, and Sewer Rates
  Ordinance amended Chapter 44 rates (second reading). Approved.
• H.1 – Appeal of Historic Preservation Commission Decision
  Tabled.
• I.1 – Alcohol Variance Request (Mark IV Capital)
  Tabled.
• J.1 – Appointments to TEDC Board
  Council approved Mayor’s appointments: Councilmember Flores as President, Jessica Mossman as Vice President, Michelle Sherwood as Secretary. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamation C.1 – September 12, 2026 declared “Fiesta Amistad Day” in Round Rock.
• Consent Agenda E.1–E.6 adopted unanimously (6‑0; Councilmember Fleming absent).
• Resolutions F.1, F.2, F.3, F.5 adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance G.1 (Trails Plan) adopted on first reading; second reading dispensed (unanimous).
• Ordinance G.2 (FY 2027 Budget) adopted 7‑0 (Fleming returned).
• Ordinance G.3 (Property Tax Rate of $0.4230) adopted 7‑0.
• Resolution F.4 ratified tax increase 7‑0.
• Ordinance E.7 (water/sewer rates) adopted 7‑0.
• Items H.1 and I.1 tabled.
• Appointments J.1 approved 7‑0.
• Council Comments included reminders of 9/11 observances, the Alamo State game, and thanks to the community.