Round Rock approves FY25 budget, tax rate on first reading

The Round Rock City Council voted unanimously Thursday, Aug. 22, on first reading to approve a $682.2 million budget for fiscal year 2025, which begins Oct. 1. The FY25 tax rate was also unanimously approved on first reading. A final reading and vote will be held on the budget and tax rate on Thursday, Sept. 12.

The City of Round Rock's Fiscal Year 2025 budget is strategically designed around six goals that the City Council updates each February:

Proposed Tax Rate

The proposed budget is supported by a property tax rate of 36.0 cents per $100 of valuation for Fiscal Year 2025. At this rate, the owner of a median taxable value home of $376,169 on average would pay $113 per month in City taxes, which is an increase of $8.94 per month over the previous year's rate.

This proposed rate is higher than the "no new revenue" rate of 33.1 cents, which would raise the same amount of revenue as last year on existing property based on this year's property valuations. The additional 2.9 cents is needed to pay for additional public safety positions, competitive pay programs and voter-approved bond projects.

More information about local entities' property tax rates, including how much you would owe each taxing entity under their adopted tax rates, can be found at williamsonpropertytaxes.org for Williamson County residents and travistaxes.com for Travis County residents. Below is also a link to a City of Round Rock tax calculator that allows you to type in your taxable value and see how much of your taxes will go to each City service.

City of Round Rock Tax Calculator

About the Proposed Budget

This budget includes funding for 1,203 full-time employees, with 26 new positions proposed, including 10 new Police Officers and 6 new Firefighters, emphasizing the City's commitment to maintaining public safety. Significant revenue sources include $110.8 million from sales taxes, which fund operations, transportation and economic development projects, and $91.2 million from property taxes.

The proposed budget includes the following highlights:

Downtown and Library​

• Round Rock Public Library - Account for expanded programs and materials for increased visitors and memberships​ following first year in new building
• Griffith Building and Paseo - construction is underway transforming the former library into a new art gallery, visitors center, and home to the Round Rock Chamber - also providing connectivity from Main Street to the new public library​
• Downtown Public Space Plan - Finalize plan and begin work to link Round Rock Water Tower, parks and trail on Brushy Creek, City Hall, RRPL, and other downtown city amenities ​

Public Safety​

• Fire Station # 1 - Nearing completion, expected October 2024 ​
• Fire Station # 10 - Intersection of Old Settlers Boulevard and Red Bud Lane, estimated completion fall 2025​
• Additional Fire Staff -Six new firefighters in preparation for stations 10 and 11 from the bonds​
• Police Support - Ten new police officers will keep up with city growth and increase proactive patrolling​

Recreation, Parks and Sports

• Parks & Trails -Begin construction on Heritage Trail East, improvements to Lake Creek Park, and the Play for All Park renovation, as well as add three new positions to meet demand on recreation programs and trail maintenance​
• Family-friendly Events - Continue the Fourth of July parade and celebration, Light up the Lake, Hometown Holiday Lights, Music on Main, Arts Fest and more​
• Old Settlers Park - Construction will begin on bond projects including the Lakeview Area Improvements and Pavilion, Rock 'N River expansion, New Recreation Center Complex, Track & Field facilities, and Multipurpose Center expansion​
• Sports Center - Construction underway on two additional courts with expected completion in early 2026 ​

Transportation & Utilities​

• Driving Progress - Major road construction includes County Road 112, Chisholm Trail Road North, sections of Gattis School Road, Harrell Parkway, Eagles Nest, Old Settlers Boulevard, Red Bud Lane, and Wyoming Springs.
• Neighborhood Street Maintenance - $4.3 million will continue the City's proactive program that has invested $45.3 million in neighborhoods since 2015​
• Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System - design of an expansion that will increase plant's capacity to 40MGD ​
• Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority - continued constriction of a permanent raw water intake as well as design of expanding the City's water capacity from 11.17 MGD to 21.77 MGD​

To learn more about this year's proposed budget and tax rate, visit www.roundrocktexas.gov/budget.