Round Rock

Williamson County Human Resources Department was the recipient of the 2024 County Best Practices Awards. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

Williamson County Human Resources Department was the recipient of the 2024 County Best Practices Awards. Photo courtesy of Williamson County.

Williamson County honored with two Best Practices Awards

 The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Williamson County Human Resources both received top honors by the Texas Association of Counties for county programs.
Leandro Brito-Martinez

Leandro Brito-Martinez

Austin man convicted of vehicular homicide, gets 80 years

Leandro Brito-Martinez, 28, of Austin, was found guilty of murder by a Williamson County jury October 2. The vehicular homicide case involved 14-year-old Tobias Soto, a bystander who was struck and died as Brito-Martine attempted to evade police in Round Rock in 2022. The jury sentenced Mr.
Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital leadership breaks ground on the 219,000-square-foot expansion project on September 26. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital leadership breaks ground on the 219,000-square-foot expansion project on September 26. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Ascension Seton Williamson embarks on expansion

 Ascension Seton Williamson broke ground on a $230 million Round Rock hospital expansion project September 26. The project will bring a new six-story tower, along with 160 beds, two new operating rooms, an additional MRI, a new cath lab, an observation unit and an expanded emergency room.
County Commissioner Valerie Covey, center, explains her reason for adding personnel to handle Child Protective Services cases in Williamson County during the September 17 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valerie Covey, center, explains her reason for adding personnel to handle Child Protective Services cases in Williamson County during the September 17 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County adds personnel to CPS caseworkers

 "We realized what an abysmal situation it is.” – Valerie Covey, County Commissioner Precinct 3 Williamson County will add a legal assistant and two care coordinators to help with Child Protection Service cases.

Residents ask for HOA transparency

The residents of the Teravista neighborhood gathered on August 28 at the Austin Community College Round Rock Campus for a town hall they organized with State Representative Caroline Harris Davila to discuss issues they’ve been having with their HOA.
The marijuana seized by the Wilco Criminal Interdiction Unit. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

The marijuana seized by the Wilco Criminal Interdiction Unit. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

Two more drug-related cases close out August

Approximately 32 pounds of marijuana were seized after a vehicle was searched as part of a traffic stop August 27 in Williamson County. The Williamson County Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation.
From left to right, Chairman of the Central Texas Community Foundation Luke Cochran, Texas Baptist Children's Home President Debbie Rippstein,  Ron Martin of Emerson Technologies, volunteer of the year Hollis Bone and Executive Director of CTXCF Amy Merida take a photo at the 2024 CTXCF Legacy Luncheon in Kalahari Resort and Conventions on September 4.  Photo courtesy of Central Texas Community Foundation.

From left to right, Chairman of the Central Texas Community Foundation Luke Cochran, Texas Baptist Children's Home President Debbie Rippstein, Ron Martin of Emerson Technologies, volunteer of the year Hollis Bone and Executive Director of CTXCF Amy Merida take a photo at the 2024 CTXCF Legacy Luncheon in Kalahari Resort and Conventions on September 4. Photo courtesy of Central Texas Community Foundation.

Williamson County foundation honors nonprofits, volunteers at awards lunch

 The Texas Baptist Children's Home received the 2024 Impact Award September 4 during the Central Texas Community Foundation’s sixth annual Legacy Luncheon. Formerly the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, Central Texas Community Foundation’s mission is to spark philanthropic giving.

Sales tax revenue skyrockets in Liberty Hill

The August 2024 sales tax revenue report by the Texas Comptroller revealed that revenue in Liberty Hill skyrocketed, increasing by 62.52 percent since August 2023. Meanwhile, sales tax revenue in Taylor plummeted, bringing in a mere 41 percent less when compared to the year prior.
The Williamson County Commissioners vote to approve the Budget and Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025 during the August 27 meeting at the historic courthouse. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The Williamson County Commissioners vote to approve the Budget and Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025 during the August 27 meeting at the historic courthouse. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Money matters: Williamson County Commissioners OKs $635 million county budget

 The average Williamson County homestead will pay approximately $191.45 more in county property taxes for Fiscal Year 2025. Williamson County Commissioners Tuesday, August 27, approved the FY 2025 budget, with expenses set at  $635,129,938. The new tax rate was set at 39.