The Taylor Independent School District has taken another major step in preparing its students for the future workforce in the semiconductor field, officials said.

In collaboration with Austin Community College, Taylor ISD has created a new high school dual-credit pathway program — called electronic technology — providing access to high-demand careers in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Upon finishing the program, Taylor High School students will earn an Automation, Robotics and Semiconductor Technology Advanced Specialization Level 1 Certificate, educators said.

“This is a transformational moment for our students and our community,” Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen said in a release. “Taylor ISD is uniquely positioned to provide students with world-class opportunities connected directly to the industries shaping the future of Central Texas.”

Also included in the memorandum of understanding between the two districts, ACC pledged to advance Taylor ISD’s continued commitment to expanding college, career and workforce readiness opportunities for its high school students through apprenticeships, engineering programs and other regional industry opportunities.

“Our goal is to ensure every student graduates with meaningful skills, real-world experiences, and access to high-demand careers,” Garcia-Edwardsen said.

Williamson County is a hub for the semiconductor industry, one of the fastest-growing manufacturing bases in Central Texas.

In November 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott and officials with South Korea-based Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced a $17 billion semiconductor foundry would be built in Taylor.

Several related high-tech businesses have since followed.

Through the ACC partnerwww.

ship, Taylor High students will benefit from a “seamless student experience” that supports multiple postsecondary options, including immediate employment opportunities, engineering degrees and advanced technical careers, school officials said.

“This pathway brings together academic rigor, college access and workforce alignment in a way that creates real momentum for students,” said Chief Academic Officer Megan Zembik. “It ensures they graduate with both the knowledge and the credentials needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy.”

Through ongoing collaboration with industry partners, such as Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Taylor ISD identified the need for an educational model that is comprehensive and flexible but also “stackable,” allowing students to pursue multiple pathways within the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries, educators said.

The pathway is designed to support both technical workforce entry and long-term academic advancement, providing pupils with flexibility as they determine their future goals, officials said.

“We want our students to have the opportunity to step directly into meaningful careers, apprenticeships or engineering programs connected to some of the most innovative companies in the world,” said career-technology-education Director Steven Vigil. “At the same time, we are building a sustainable pipeline that strengthens our local workforce and creates lasting opportunities for generations of students.”

The first ACC courses offered to Taylor ISD students opened for the first semester of the 2026-27 school year and include digital fundamentals, direct-current circuits, nanoelectronics manufacturing technology, principles of quality and robot application, set-up and testing.

To learn more, visit austincc.edu, or to enroll a student, contact CTE Director Steven Vigil, svigil@taylorisd.org, or call 512-352-6326.

The 573,000-square-foot building with the loading docks along the dedicated rail line is in the planning and design stages, said Mitchell Hanzik, partner and managing director for development at Partners Real Estate, a Houston-based development company.

TaylorPort 3 will join a 183,000-square-foot building now occupied by electric vehicle and robotics maker Tesla and a 366,000-squarefoot structure for Compal USA Technology, the U.S arm of a major Taiwanese tech manufacturer, on the 58 acres owned by Partners.

“TaylorPort 3 is planned to be the largest of our three phases at TaylorPort in recognition of the market’s continued evolution as an attractive location for institutional tenants and investors.” Hanzik said in a written statement to the Press.

He said the Taylor-area project is in the planning and design stage, and they aren’t ready yet to disclose a time- line for when construction will begin.

The location of TaylorPort in the 765acre RCR rail park next to Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s semiconductor fabrication site makes it ideal for Samsung suppliers seeking a spot adjacent to their client.

There are as many as 150 suppliers, mostly based in South Korea, that have found locations near Samsung’s 1,200-acres site or are looking.

One major win was Samsung-supplier Soulbrain TX LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of South Korea’s Soul Brain Co. Ltd., which is spending as much a $600 million for its headquarters, first U.S. plant and an eventual expansion at RCR.

However, the rail park and other industrial sites in Taylor and Hutto have proven attractive to other industries outside the semiconductor supply chain, including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, food packaging and cosmetics.

The newest Partners development will occupy the company’s last parcel at RCR and it could be looking for more land for future development in the Taylor area.

“We greatly appreciate being a part of the Taylor community and the success we have found there,” Hanzik said. “We believe both Taylor and Williamson County more broadly will continue to offer compelling development opportunities.”

TaylorPort 1 is occupied by Tesla, which was already using RCR for rail shipping of electric vehicles manufactured less than 30 miles away outside Bastrop.

Tesla also is the first major customer for the advanced semiconductors that will come out of Samsung’s Taylor campus, which is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

TaylorPort 2 tenant Compal is slated to bring 900 jobs to Taylor and another 100 at a site in Georgetown.

Visitors from a South Korean TV station, Munhwa Broadcasting Corp., came to Taylor last week to check out Taylor High School’s new Korean language class.

MBC is producing a story on the program, which will air at the end of the month.

Interest in Taylor by audiences in the Asian nation has grown ever since Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced in 2021 it was building a vast semiconductor manufacturing plant and creating thousands of jobs in Taylor and eastern Williamson County.

According to MBC interpreter and coordinator Daniel Legay, the TV station originally intended to cover the impact of the semiconductor industry on Central Texas and interview several people, including a semiconductor employee and media personnel.

However, after learning of Taylor High’s Korean language course, MBC turned its focus on the Taylor Independent School District.

“What they’re doing at the school is just amazing,” Legay said.

In January, students from Daeyeong High School in the Seoul area visited Taylor ISD and local students later expressed an interest in studying the Korean language. Another visit from Daeyeong High is planned for next month.

“We learned that our students love Korean pop culture and the language. Paired with the influx of businesses into Taylor and Williamson County, our students have grown interested in learning more about the culture and language,” said Jennifer Patschke, chief of Human Resources and Student Supports.

The school’s first Korean language program opened for the 2026-27 school year with 19 students enrolled.

Through the Foundation for Korean Language and Culture in the USA, a nonprofit organization that promotes Korean language education, cultural traditions and history, and a memorandum of understanding with the Houston Korean Education Center, Taylor ISD is able to provide language instruction and related cultural activities for students.

The appeal has extended beyond students who need a language credit.

Some pupils who have already completed their required language credits are choosing Korean as an elective, school officials said.

“This new language program opens another door for our students to connect their education with the opportunities developing right here in Taylor,” said Steven Vigil, director of Taylor ISD’s career and technical education.

He added, “With businesses and industries continuing to grow in Taylor and Williamson County, we want our students to have the skills and experiences that prepare them to take advantage of those opportunities, both now and in the future.”

Taylor ISD is one of only a handful of districts offering Korean as part of its curriculum.

HUTTO – The city is joining ranks with many other Texas municipalities by canceling its contract with Flock Safety to provide automatic license plate reader cameras.

The City Council unanimously voted Sept. 17 to remove 10 cameras from the toolbox of the Police Department, citing growing concerns from residents about government surveillance, data collection and potential misuse.

Also during the meeting, council members received updates on the county’s emergency services district turning down options involving a tax-sharing agreement and discussed the need for checks and balances on future data centers.

Meanwhile, the Flock cameras in contention were deactivated in August by Police Chief Jeff Yarbrough, who was awaiting more information regarding possible vulnerabilities in the system.

“We’ve heard concerns in the community and from law enforcement agencies that caused us to take a step back and look at where we are,” Yarbrough said.

The chief said that before activating the system a year ago, the Police Department put protocols into place to protect the public.

“We identified some concerns initially when we deployed the system and we took actions to solidify our policies, our practices and our procedures when it came to who could access it, how it was accessed, how our officers would and could access the data and what the circumstances were for them to use that,” Yarbrough said.

In the last few weeks, representatives of Flock have told various governmental bodies that new safeguards have been activated, but at the same time more allegations have surfaced of stored data being used to track people for non-investigatory reasons.

Law enforcement agencies have argued the cameras are a “force multiplier” that helps them more efficiently track and solve crimes.

Some of the concerns leading to the council’s vote revolved around how other agencies retrieve information from the system and how developments in artificial intelligence may reduce privacy.

Yarbrough said the department has successfully used Flock cameras to solve crimes in Hutto, but even without the cameras the department still has other resources and methods to continue solving cases.

The decision by council also prohibits the use of license plate reader technology from other companies in addition to Flock Safety.

The city retains contracts with Flock for closed-loop cameras and a video monitoring system that has no communication with the shared license plate reader system. The closed system monitors activities in areas including Hutto parks and is only viewable by police.

Other cities banning Flock cameras include Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Boerne, Elgin, Manor and Pflugerville.

City, ESD still at odds Mayor Mike Snyder said the city’s fire safety sub-committee met with Emergency Services District No. 3 last week over a tax-sharing agreement but could not find common ground.

ESD No. 3 Sept. 8 sent a letter to City Manager James Earp saying they would not be moving forward with any of the options presented to them by the city on Aug. 7.

Snyder said the ESD seemed to believe the options presented by the city were non-negotiable and left no room for discussion.

Those options include:

• Allow the community to vote on giving the city 80% of sales tax revenue on annexed properties

• Sign an agreement to transition the ESD into a city-owned fire service

• Agree to an 80/20 allocation of sales-tax revenue for 30 years Councilman Jim Morris, who is also on the sub-committee, said he thinks the ESD is trying to take a larger role in city growth.

“It seems like the ESD wants to be in economic development. Before we’ve signed anything, they want to be at the table and they want to be part of the negotiations. They stipulate how the (shared sales-tax revenue) is spent, where the money is spent,” Morris said. “They are handcuffing the city.”

Under the current agreement, the city’s share of the sales-tax revenue for annexed properties has to be spent in the annexed area. City leaders said they invest funding on infrastructure for annexed areas before they ever see any of the shared sales-tax revenue.

Fire Chief Scott Kerwood said ESD No. 3 believes the 2026 Sales and Use Tax Agreement signed by both entities May 7 is adequate to allow both to grow and deliver services.

“The issue before us should not be which entity receives the greater share of sales-tax revenue. The issue is whether the community will have the resources necessary to provide the right people, equipment, facilities and emergency-response capabilities when they are needed,” Kerwood said in his letter to the city.

ESDs were created in the 1990s as tax-funded entities providing fire and emergency medical aid to rural areas underserved by a municipal fire department. Both the city and ESD No. 3 have announced competing plans to build new stations in the vicinity of the Hutto Megasite.

City to consider standards for data centers

The council will discuss setting standards for data centers locating within the city at an upcoming meeting, after they receive more information this week.

“I would like to have us be the kind of community that says ‘OK, we’re going to have this, we cannot stop it, and we’re doing our due diligence to make sure we set standards that are flexible but we are letting developers know we are looking for this,’” said Councilwoman Corinne Zepeda.

Zepeda said she observed how Round Rock and neighboring cities have dealt with the issue, from complete moratoriums to strict design standards. She said her intention was to fast-track city guidelines to be in front of the coming wave of data center developments, and to protect quality of life without hindering the projects.

Supporters of data centers note the facilities often put tax revenue back into the coffers of school districts and local governments to fund infrastructure.

Snyder cautioned that specifications need to be responsive to the community and protect residential neighborhoods without causing an impediment for annexation.

He pointed to the Big Watt Digital / Powerhouse Digital Data Centers project in Taylor that recently rescinded its annexation request after community opposition.

Hutto officials also discussed a need for identifying what the city expects from data center developments in terms of public benefit funds to enhance quality of life projects such as trails and sidewalks.

Nearby Taylor has at least four data centers that could come to the city, but local activists have launched protests over fears of pollution and drains on power and water, issues that developers say are unfounded.

Gov. Greg Abbott declared a moratorium on new data centers until after state agencies have conducted energy and water audits and also directed government entities not to shift the cost of data centers to taxpayers.

GEORGETOWN – The county will move forward with the land purchase and construction of a new Precinct 4 annex building in Taylor after approving $30 million in the capital improvement plan.

Precincts 1, 2 and 3 all have centralized building complexes for performing county business in their areas. Precinct 4 does not.

“The county is growing in such a unique way, I’ve been trying to figure out exactly where the best spot for it is. I think it’s in Taylor. I think I have the site in mind that I would like to consider,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles.

Specifics are still to come. Also, during the Williamson County Commissioners Court session Sept. 15, county leaders heard about a display using shoes to create awareness of suicide prevention and waived a park entrance fee.

Regarding the new $30 million building in Taylor, Boles said the county is in the process of securing right of way and making sure enough land is available.

The majority of the building would be for a justice center, but the location could also host ambulances and “Medic 42,” a county-owned 2020 Ford F-450 4x4 that is currently housed at the city-owned Emergency Medical Services Station 42, 1427 North Main St.

Precinct 4 will also see another $9 million in capital investments to remodel Taylor’s county tax office and build out the JP4 Hutto Annex, among other construction projects.

County suicide memorial on display The county created a memorial tribute using footwear to honor the 118 people who died by suicide in Williamson County in 2025, commissioners heard.

Titled “Every Step Remembered,” the temporary installation in the new county administration building at 1848 Texas Trail was announced during a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Ruben Leal, a death investigator for Precinct 1, was instrumental in creating the memorial. Leal survived a suicide attempt.

“I wouldn’t be able to be here had my suicide attempt not been interrupted and I had those extra few minutes. I’m here to tell you it does get better. I promise it gets better,” Leal said.

The memorial included 118 pairs of shoes representing the people who are no longer alive to continue walking in them. It includes footwear donated by the parents of a 14-year-old suicide victim as well as 14 pairs of combat boots representing the military veterans lost to self-harm last year.

“Sometimes seeing it physically just makes a harder impact on you,” Leal said of the display.

County residents have access to 24/7 assistance from the Bluebonnet Trails crisis hotline at 800-8411255. The public can also call 911 for connection to mental health resources in an immediate crisis.

The county has been developing a new service called a “loss team” to assist residents who have survived a suicide attempt and those dealing with loss of loved ones.

Free entrance to River Ranch Park Sept. 26 Commissioners voted to waive the standard entrance fees at the Williamson County River Ranch Park, 2100 CR 279 in Liberty Hill on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26.

The occasion marks the country’s largest single- day volunteer event dedicated to caring for public lands.

The free admission was the idea of Parks Department employee Sam Gibson.

“It is our hope that waiving this described fee on Sept. 26 will incentivize folks to come to the park for the first time or second time to rediscover the beauty of River Ranch Park,” Gibson said.

The free entrance does not include service fees or facility fees.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his office is investigating how land once slated to become a community park in southeast Taylor could now house a 135,000-square-foot data center.

The controversial project — which has prompted community protests, a lawsuit and calls for new zoning — is being developed by Blueprint Projects Data Centers.

“I will not allow any person or entity to disregard the rule of law or obligations owed to the public,” Paxton said in a prepared release Thursday. “If the Taylor data center development is unlawful, I will do everything in my power to stop it and hold those who have violated the law accountable.”

Paxton, a Republican, is running for the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 3 election against state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin.

The Press is seeking com- ment from the project’s developers.

The area in contention is home to generational residents who remember the original owner of the land allowing neighborhood children free access to play there.

Resident Pamela Griffin has said the owner told her father he would leave the land for the enjoyment of children.

According to neighbors and community activists, the farmer stayed true to his word, and in 1999 the Bland family transferred the property to the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation “to be held in trust for future use as parkland.”

The Blands received $10 for the property.

Over time, the land passed through various hands.

In 2025, the Taylor Economic Development Corp. sold the property to a data center developer for $10 million.

The land was eventually purchased by NCP Travis TPP Project LLC, the investor behind the Blueprint Projects Data Center development.

Paxton said he is office intends to determine whether the property can legally be used for a data center or whether court intervention is needed to ensure it is used as a park.

In 2025, a group of residents brought a lawsuit to force the landowner to dedicate the site to parkland.

In Georgetown, 395th state District Court Judge Ryan Larson dismissed the suit and ruled the residents did not have standing due to having no financial interest in the case. The lawsuit is now under the jurisdiction of an appellate court to determine whether the claimants have standing.

Critics of the project including HALT Taylor Data Centers on Sept. 17 welcomed Paxton’s announcement.

“HALT is overjoyed that there is intention to investigate. Pamela and the neighbors are confident that the deed will be honored and park will be built and the community protected,” said coalition founder Carrie D’Anna. “Especially when the citizens come up against big businesses, what the communities lack is money and power, and we appreciate the state stepping in to represent its constituents.”

In state political circles, support for Texas data centers is shifting, with Gov. Greg Abbott calling on energy and water-use audits of the facilities, as well as directing local governments to stop awarding tax incentives.

Supporters note data centers are needed for artificial intelligence, telecommunications, banking and military support. Developers also note the centers pump millions back into local tax bases that support schools and infrastructure.

Detractors have raised concerns about noise issues, potential fears of pollution, drains on water and the power grid, and criticism of government-sponsored tax deals.

In Taylor, HALT and others are pushing for a Nov. 3 ballot initiative requiring the city to amend zoning codes to cover digital industries. City officials said they are already examining such policies.

Up to four data-center projects are planned for the Taylor area, according to reports.

HUTTO – Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 3 gave a resounding “no” to three options presented by the city in Hutto’s attempt to renegotiate the sales-and-use tax sharing agreement between the pair.

It is just the latest salvo fired in what is turning into a duel between the county fire service and the city’s plans to build its own fire station.

In a letter dated Sept. 8, Fire Chief Scott Kerwood told City Manager James Earp that ESD No. 3, also known as Hutto Fire Rescue, would not pursue the suggestions presented by the City Council Aug. 7.

“The issue before us should not be which entity receives the greater share of sales-tax revenue. The issue is whether the community will have the resources necessary to provide the right people, equipment facilities and emergency-response capabilities when they are needed,” Kerwood said in his letter.

The ESD, which is under the county umbrella, is a tax-funded entity originally designed to provide fire and medical support in rural areas. Hutto, meanwhile, is planning on opening its first municipal fire station.

When the council first floated the idea of a city-run fire department, officials commended Hutto Fire Rescue’s expertise and said Hutto wants to fold the organization into the city. Mayor Mike Snyder said ideally it would continue to work seamlessly with the only change being that Hutto, not the county, owned the agency.

In the Aug. 7 letter to Kerwood, the city offered three options:

• Allow the community to vote on giving the city 80% of sales tax revenue on annexed properties

• Sign an agreement to transition the ESD into a city-owned fire service

• Agree to an 80/20 allocation of sales-tax revenue for 30 years “It’s very unfortunate that ESD No. 3 is unwilling to negotiate on our sales-tax sharing issue. The ESD No. 3 has an almost 90% reserve balance,” Snyder said. “Millions are invested in infrastructure by the city of Hutto and I think it is wholly appropriate for the taxpayers of the city to get a return on the infrastructure costs.” He added, “Bottom line is that you cannot operate a city responsibly without a long-term share of sales taxes — sales taxes that came about because of the investment made by the city of Hutto.”

Voters in unincorporated areas surrounding Hutto voted in 2016 to allocate a portion of the sales and use tax to ESD No. 3, as allowed by Texas law. The state receives a 6.25% sales tax and the county receives an additional 2% to make the total 8.25% sales tax.

Under the current agreement created in 2017 and renewed earlier this year, when a property is annexed into the city, ESD No. 3 will give the city 60% of its portion of the sales tax if the property meets certain requirements, one of them being that it is over 5 acres in size.

Snyder noted most retail properties annexed by Hutto are less than 5 acres so the city will not be able to collect any sales tax revenue, yet will have to fund infrastructure and city services to support the development.

In his letter, Kerwood said the money collected by ESD No. 3 is necessary for growth. Hutto Fire Rescue recently announced the purchase of land for a sixth fire station in the Hutto area.

The site is in the same area as land the city has bought to build its first city-owned station.

The growing area that is the epicenter for the dueling fire stations will soon be home to salestax heavy hitters slated for the Cottonwood Properties retail development, as well as the Hutto Megasite where construction is generating use-taxes.

“There is no room in public safety for decisions driven solely by financial considerations, politics or personal agendas. The responsibility shared by the district and the city is to put the safety of the community first; nothing more – and to ensure that the emergency services provided today remain capable of protecting this community tomorrow,” Kerwood said in his letter.

The missive added. “The district retains sole authority and responsibility to determine the resources capacity, and operational requirements necessary to provide adequate emergency protection. The district will work with the city, but it will not compromise or surrender that authority.”

The ESD’s response was first reported by community advocate site HuttoTransparency.org.

Hutto Fire Rescue posted the city’s letter and its own response on its website huttofire.gov/e-s-d-3.

If I could travel back in time to witness any of the numerous significant events in Taylor’s history, the 1910 paving of First Street with wooden bricks would be at the top of my list.

I’ve known for quite some time that pinewood pavers were hidden under the pavement in front of the old Blazilmar Hotel, and I have stopped on several occasions to look through holes in the pavement where I could see small glimpses of the wooden bricks underneath.

Now, in conjunction with Taylor’s 150th birthday celebration, and the arrival of the “Spark! Places of Innovation” traveling Smithsonian exhibit, the city of Taylor has removed a large section of First Street pavement, leaving the wooden pavers totally exposed for anyone who would like to stop by the spot where the city began and take a closer look at this part of our history.

You can even reach down and touch the still visible rings from when these bricks were pine trees and imagine what life might have been like for the people who walked across this unique street when it was new, or rode in horse-drawn carriages across these exact same bricks.

I wanted to learn more about this unique part of our history, so I contacted local historian and Realtor, Emily Downs Smith, to learn more about the topic from her many hours of research.

As a retired educator, I also wanted to include some of Taylor’s youth in this project to learn more about their local history. Three members of the Stroud family accepted my invitation: Wade, 13, Annie, 10, and Ryder, 8. You may have seen their family, including parents Warren and Ashley, and younger siblings Ember and Colton, in several fun and creative social-media commercials for their family business, Plumbing Outfitters.

Wade, Annie and Ryder joined me in Emily’s office for the interview, and then we all went down to First Street to examine the unique pavers close-up.

Wade asked the first question: “How big were the wooden bricks?”

“The wooden pavers were 4 inches deep by about 10 or 12 inches long,” Emily explained. “It’s basically a chunk of railroad tie that was treated with tar to keep out the moisture.”

The paving was done by The Kaw Paving Company. The general office was in Topeka, Kansas, but the southern office was located right here in Taylor.

“They did a layer of gravel, and then a layer of sand, and then they laid the pavers down,” Emily said. “The pavers would go down in one direction in the center of the street and on the borders they would go a different direction. They were horizontal on the street and vertical along the curbs.”

Another layer of sand would fill in the cracks between the bricks, and then a final layer of tar was poured over the top.

In an advertisement from the 1916 Taylor High School Yearbook, The Kaw Paving Company informed the community it constructed “asphaltic, concrete, brick and other forms of street paving.”

The firm also claimed, “Good streets and sidewalks are town builders and essential to community progress.”

Emily’s interest in local history has proven to be a benefit as she works with clients in real estate.

“Because we work with a lot of downtown business owners and downtown building owners, one of the things we like to do with all of our incoming businesses owners is to (introduce them to) the rich history we have here in Taylor,” Emily said. “When someone buys a property, we want them to know how amazing it is and the deep roots and the history that the home or the building or the property holds. We want them to carry that love and reverence with them.”

While Emily hasn’t found the exact measurements for the length of the wooden brick section of First Street, it likely ran from close to Elliott Street to Main Street. That distance would have provided pavement for the high-traffic area in front of the train station and the Murphy Hotel, which later became the Blazilmar Hotel.

A quick look at city directories from the time indicates the 100 block of East First Street also included a barber shop, a cigar and liquor store, a tailor shop and a saloon.

Emily has also found where property owners paid for the paving. Taylor’s original dirt streets were known to be dusty, and often a muddy mess. So, it seems that paving would have provided a significant benefit to businesses.

“I found a receipt for a payment from T. W. Marse for 270 feet which is from corner to corner, the entire block from Porter to Main Street,” Emily said. “It likely went down to Elliott Street, closer to the Heidenheimer building.”

The Heidenheimer building, 209 E. First St., is the location of the free “Spark!” exhibit, which runs through Sept. 27.

Our young historians asked excellent questions during the interview. In addition to the size of the bricks, Wade wanted to know how many people lived in Taylor at the time, and if they used chainsaws to cut the wooden bricks.

Ryder asked if they had axes back then, and how many bricks were used.

According to the 1910 Taylor city directory, the population at the time was 6,612. Emily explained they would have used handsaws to cut the pine wood into bricks, and measurements were probably taken in square yards rather than by the number of bricks.

The young historians also asked about the Kamp Hotel, and the fire of 1879 that destroyed much of downtown Taylor. Annie wanted to know what happened to the homes and farms when Lake Granger was built. Wade also asked if people in Taylor’s early days settled their differences in the way you might see in old western movies and TV shows.

That last question brought to mind my column from Aug. 16 about how the Taylor City Cemetery began. If you missed it, check it out in the Taylor Press archives at taylorpress. net.

I must say, it warms this old Duck’s heart to see the younger generation taking such an interest in their hometown history. I believe every family in Taylor would enjoy a visit to see the wooden bricks, and the “Spark!” showcase while it is still in Taylor.

Join me here in a couple of weeks as we explore another tale from Taylor. Until then, be proud of where you’re from.

Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 40 years of service. For a topic or a suggestion, reach out to Crow via emily.treadway@ granitemediapartners. com.

Retired educators in Williamson County concerned about their pensions keeping pace with rising costs and healthcare are looking at next year’s legislative session for relief.

Attendees during a Sept. 10 meeting of the Williamson County Retired Teachers Association at the Taylor Event Center, 3101 N. Main St., heard from a representative of the Texas Retired Teachers Association outline how the former educators can work together for increased benefits.

According to the TRTA, Texas teachers have seen their pensions fall an average of 30% behind inflation over the years, and most do not receive Social Security because they opted for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

More than half a million retired educators receive a pension from the TRS. The average monthly pension is $2,317 and for most, it is their only source of income.

The TRTA wants to see the 90th Legislature tie increases in benefits to increases in inflation to match rising costs. Only legislators can approve such increases, said Brock Gregg, TRTA associate director.

“It’s important that that system is sound because that’s what’s going to pay for you to keep getting your money for the rest of your life, and all of your kids who are teachers and all the teachers you care about,” Gregg told listeners. “We have to have a strong, secure, forever system, and keep our defined benefits because that is what’s right for public education.” He added that a stipend, a cost-of-living adjustment or other benefit increase is needed before retirees lose another year of purchasing power to inflation.

Larry Yawn, WCRTA legislative contact, said 84% of voters approved a COLA for TRS retirees in 2023. For 70% of retired educators, it was the first COLA they had ever received.

TRTA’s first priority, according to Gregg, is for the Legislature to increase the state’s TRS contributions to balance the teacher raises passed in 2025.

House Bill 2 funded salary increases for teachers but did not allot an increase to the retirement fund to offset the increased retirement liability.

This increased a formula known as “actuarial soundness” from 28 years to 35 years. By state law, the number must be 31 years or less to be eligible for cost-ofliving allowances.

The state would need to increase contributions by 0.4% to restore the fund’s eligibility to make cost of living allowances, officials said.

When lawmakers convene in January, another legislative priority for retired educators is full funding of TRS-Care, the health insurance for TRS members.

More than 217,000 retirees depend on TRS care and for most, there is no other option, Gregg said.

“The people of Texas support public education. The people of Texas support retirees in the education profession. We need to make sure that the Legislature reflects the people of Texas,” Yawn said.

Meanwhile, WCRTA President Nancy Varlien said retired educators are still helping.

“We continue to serve education,” she added. “We volunteer, we provide grants for teachers. As a retired group, we’re active in still promoting education and working to support education while at the same time, making sure our retirement fund is stable.”

For more information on the legislative priorities, visit trta.org/ legislative-priorities. In addition, WCRTA will hold a candidates forum at 10 a.m. Oct. 9 at the Taylor Event Center. The general election is Nov. 3.

“

“We have to have a strong, secure, forever system.”

— Brock Gregg, Texas Retired Teachers Association

The City Council Thursday approved an annual budget of about $165 million that calls for nearly 3.5% less in spending and keeps the Fiscal Year 2026-27 tax rate the same as last year.

While the adopted 58.5cent rate per $100 valuation is the same as FY 2025-26, Chief Financial Officer Robert Powers said it is effectively an $88 reduction on average for homeowners.

Home values in Taylor decreased about 5%, from around $294,000 to $279,100, which lowers the average tax bill given no change in rates.

That news was top of mind during the Sept. 10 council session, which also saw police body cameras approved, proposals for new city buildings and discussion behind closed doors about another proposed data center while critics of the project gathered outside City Hall.

During budget discussions, members on the dais learned the new budget reduces municipal spending by about $6 million.

“(Keeping the budget low) was very much a team effort for several months,” said Councilman Greg Redden. “Because of some of the stuff that the departments took out, we were able to give our employees a raise. Even a 2% bump helps.”

Taylor’s property tax base increased from $4.7 billion to $5.3 billion.

Due to the increase in property tax rolls, the adopted rate will raise total property tax revenue by almost 13%. More than $3 million of the property-tax revenue raised will come from new property added to the tax roll this year.

In total, the city will receive $898,106 more in property tax revenue than last year.

The budget includes funding for three firefighter positions added in mid-2026, $1.2 million for vehicles and heavy equipment, and $780,000 for miscellaneous expenditures, including shade structures for the Taylor Animal Shelter.

It also includes a 2% cost-of-living increase for employees and an 8% increase in health insurance premiums.

Savings came from decreases to the general fund and capital projects fund, while the budgets for the utility fund, airport fund and utility capital funds saw increases.

The $165.66 million budget goes into effect Oct. 1.

Council approves camera contract

In related business, Police Chief Joseph Chacon’s request for additional fleet and body-worn cameras was approved by council members. The cameras are for video and audio capture only and do not include the automatic license plate reader function, such as the type popularized by Flock Safety. The city is in the final year of a five-year contract with Axon for body-worn cameras, and in the first year of a five-year contract for Axon fleet cameras. The body-worn camera contract includes storage of video and photographic evidence online through Axon-owned Evidence.com.

The council approved a 10-year agreement for the body-worn cameras at a total contract amount of $549,901. Also approved, a 4-year contract for four newfleetcameras. The new annual cost for all fleet cameras is $49,436.

The issue was set for consideration at the Aug. 27 meeting but was tabled. At that time, the agenda item included a request to activate automatic license plate reader software in the patrol cars.

On Sept. 10, there was no request for ALPR resources. Several cities in Central Texas are canceling their contracts with Flock over allegations the surveillance and data-collection systems have been misused.

New city buildings proposed

The city’s elected leaders adopted a Facilities Master Plan identifying the condition and suitability of all city buildings and creating a framework for constructing future structures. The recommendations range from selling some properties to renovating, expanding or replacing others.

The plan was produced by HDR Engineering along with input from the council and city staffers. The recommended yearly budget is $63 million.

The Taylor Public Library, the Parks and Recreation Department administration building and the animal shelter were among those slated for renovation, expansion or retrofitting. The Fire Department training facility, Fire Station 3 and police vehicular evidence storage were on the list for demolition and/or new construction.

The city is also in the process of building a combined Justice Center and City Hall complex for $52 million at 300 E. Second St.

Data center opposition gains supporters While the public hearing for rezoning Big Watt Digital and PH Digital Data Center Development was withdrawn from the Sept. 10 agenda now that developers have rescinded their request for annexation and employment center zoning, the council still consulted with the city attorney regarding the project in closed executive session.

No action was taken on the matter.

Also known as Project Mustang, the proposed data center and gas power plant would be built on 665 acres in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Despite the lack of a public hearing, Halt Taylor Data Center Coalition rallied outside City Hall before the council meeting to support the creation of stronger city ordinances governing data centers.

Up to four data centers are in the planning stages for the Taylor area.

Chris Jimenez, a Williamson County resident and Democratic candidate for Texas House District 52, came to advocate for the community, saying he shared the opponents’ belief that data centers are a threat to Texas’ resources and way of life.

“We have people working within these data center companies that are sounding the alarm, yet our city councils around the county are not necessarily paying attention. So, I’m here to raise awareness of what’s going on,” Jimenez said.

MediaJustice, a national organization that supports community-led efforts to oppose harmful policies related to technology and large corporations, provided posters for the rally based on its BroBots Vs. The People educational series.

Kamil Cook with the Texas office of Public Citizen told rallygoers that coming together at events and meetings serves a critical purpose.

“We’re doing it because we’re trying to protect each other. Power comes from each of us standing up together, having courage and saying we don’t want this to happen,” Cook said.

Data centers pump large amounts of revenue into local coffers to fund school districts and infrastructure projects, and can even lower property-tax rates, supporters say. Opponents argue the large facilities should not be built near residences or farming communities.

Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a moratorium on data centers pending energy audits by state regulatory agencies and has also objected to local entities giving tax breaks to digital facilities.

“

“This community needs transparency, not secrecy.”

— Ken Flippin

Hemp can be used in construction, including structures such as homes.

The opening of the facility will be celebrated 4-8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the historic Williamson County Gin, 308 Sturgis St.

Tours are 5-5:45 p.m. and presentations on the new renovation will be 6-7 p.m.

The two firms and the Taylor Economic Development Corp. banded together to breathe new life into the gin, which has been closed for years.

Founder and CEO of E3 Agriculture Lucas Evans, a seventh-generation Texas farmer, is behind the project and hopes to bring more agricultural processing closer to where crops are grown, the release noted.

E3 Agriculture’s Seed to Shelter model uses one hemp harvest for multiple markets, including animal products and plant-based building materials.

The Gentleman Farm will bring products such as animal bedding, feed and garden items to consumers, said the notice, which was released Monday.

The project also is expected to serve as a model for future hemp-processing facilities in other agricultural communities.

The company plans to adapt existing agricultural buildings and use local employees as it expands, officials said.

According to an agreement with the EDC, E3 has committed to at least $2 million in capital investment and 20 full-time- positions within five years of receiving its certificate of occupancy.

The project’s goal is to “put processing closer to the field” while giving rural communities more opportunities to take part in manufacturing products from crops grown locally.

Last Friday, Sept. 11, marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Cities around the nation and Central Texas held events to memorialize the lives lost and the stairs climbed by brave men and women.

With a bell toll and a moment of silence, the city of Taylor and Taylor Independent School District held a Patriot Day Memorial at the Taylor High School stadium, 355 FM 973, before the night’s football game.

Hutto hosted a Memorial Stair Climb Saturday, Sept. 12 at Hutto Memorial Stadium, 507 Chris Kelley Blvd. The ceremony began at 8:46 a.m., the exact time the first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center 25 years ago.

“Folks in east Williamson County, Bastrop County and Manor will be seeing a lot of Candice in the weeks ahead. We’re really happy to bring her onboard and we know she’ll deliver when it comes to covering sports and outdoors,” said Emily Treadway, area editor.

Parent company Granite Media Partners Inc. is a 5 0-year-old news and marketing firm that owns 12 Texas papers including the Press, Courier and Journal.

Gilmore, who started Sept. 9, said she is excited about chronicling local athletics and sporting events.

During the last few weeks, Gilmore has covered stories for the Press as a freelance sports correspondent, so some Central Texas coaches are already familiar with her.

“Sports have been a big part of my life since I could talk, so I decided to turn the love into writing,” said Gilmore, a longtime El Paso resident and recent Texas State University graduate. “I’ve become a major Liverpool Football Club fan and occasionally I will root for the Patriots. In my career so far, I have covered soccer and basketball at the high school and collegiate level, but I am excited to become more involved in the football and volleyball community in the area.”

Outgoing Sports Editor Carter Bordwell will now transition into a new role as the digital editor of the Central Texas Group.

Bordwell, who got his feet wet in the world of sports, said he is ready for a new challenge covering breaking news and crime reporting.

“While sports will always hold a special place in my heart, I am excited to become a more well-rounded reporter as I continue to learn and gain valuable experience,” Bordwell said. “I enjoy covering this area and am happy to do that in a different way.”

To send sports items or tips to Gilmore, email candice.gilmore@granitemediapartners. com

Friends and family surrounded Alleene Jirasek Seale — a former city employee, coach and entrepreneur — for a recent landmark 100th birthday celebration at SPJST Senior Living facility, 1810 Old Granger Road.

“(Our mother) was remarkable and talented in many ways and worked hard all of her life for her family. Working hard was her love language,” said Seale’s daughter, Theresa Gossett.

Attendees came from all over the state to celebrate with Seale, including her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The oldest party guest was Seale’s brother Donald, who will turn 98 in November; the youngest guest was Glen, the 6-month-old grandson of one of Seale’s cousins.

“It was fun having so many generations together for such a happy occasion,” Gossett said Seale was born in Williamson County in 1926 to parents Sadie and Engelbert Jirasek and lived in the Taylor area all of her life. She started her school years at the Coupland School in Coupland but attended high school in Taylor, where she met football star and future husband Fred Seale.

“They worked hard to build a life together and then to raise their family,” Gossett said.

The Seale family included Gossett and siblings Juanna and Michael.

Alleene and Fred Seale ran the Knights of Columbus Hall in Taylor for over 20 years, but Alleene also held many other jobs, including clerical work for the city of Taylor and Texas Power and Light, now known as TXU.

In the mid-1960s, Seale also taught girls physical education classes and coached volleyball at St. Mary’s Catholic School. In the late 1970s, Seale opened a T-shirt business called That Shirt Place with her son as a silent owner.

“Working with customers was her forte and she loved building up the inventory to serve more people,” Gossett said.

In her spare time, Seale took in alteration and sewing jobs, having taught herself to sew at a young age by making flour sack dresses for herself. She advanced from flour sack dresses to beautiful Easter and Christmas dresses for her daughters and others, family members said.

According to her children, every penny Seale earned went to her family and children to pay for baseball gear and dance lessons.

At 87, Seale retired from the workforce after suffering a debilitating stroke. Gossett said her mother sleeps most of the day now with “small windows of alertness that we all treasure.”

The family thanked SPJST not only for allowing them to hold Seale’s party there, but also for the care the staff have provided their mother as she “rests and dreams of all her years of joyful hard work.”

HUTTO — The City Council has approved a Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget of about $315 million, OK’d a no-new-revenue tax rate and voted to freeze water-bill costs until 2031.

The water rate applies only to residents who receive municipal services, officials said during the Sept. 3 council session “We’ve got really smart people, and I’m confident that we will get to the place where we are not raising water rates anymore. My hopes are we never raise water rates again,” Mayor Mike Snyder said about not hiking rates for another five years.

The council also adopted a no-new-revenue tax rate, or NNR, of nearly 40 cents per $100 valuation, a little higher than the 2025-26 figure of almost 39 cents.

According to city officials, tax revenue from development and new properties in the burgeoning city will add an additional $1.35 million to city coffers.

According to city documents, the median taxable value of a homestead in Hutto is $329,770, dropping more than $20,000 since 2025. The 2026 NNR rate, while slightly higher than last year’s NNR rate, will result in a reduction of about $45 on the median household’s estimated property tax bill.

This may result in an increase in tax for some properties if the appraised value goes up.

This rate will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year by about $960,485.

Snyder said the budget resulted from the efficient use of developer revenue, collaboration with the Hutto Economic Development Corp. and efforts of city staff, the council and the public.

“I think we’re doing the right thing by being conservative with our budgeting. I don’t think most cities are set up as well as we are right now,” Snyder said.

Finance Director Alberta Barrett said the city was able to cut the amount of capital funding needed for wastewater projects from $29.1 million to $12.3 million.

On the other side of the ledger, funding for the proposed Justice Center increased from $42 million to $48 million, which will be a 2027 general obligation debt if approved by voters in November.

Street projects will require $4.6 million in certificates of obligation in 2027.

In addition, the city with a general fund of $37 million also plans on $214 million in capital improvements and $23 million for employees, according to records filed online.

By state law, a budget must be locked into place before the new fiscal year starts Oct. 1.

New gas station sheds light on tax-share issues A 4.172-acre development at the southeast corner of Limmer Loop and CR 132 in Hutto’s extraterritorial jurisdiction gave the council an opportunity to explain how the cost-sharing agreement with Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 3 affects the city.

New developments of 5 acres or less do not qualify under the current sales and use tax sharing agreement the city has with the ESD. Snyder said annexing the gas station and retail plaza will require city services, including police and infrastructure, but the city will not receive a share of the sales tax revenue generated by the businesses.

The proposed use for the site is non-residential, consisting of a single-story convenience store of 5,000 square feet with 12 gas pumps and an 8,000-square-foot retail building.

The council approved a municipal services agreement and an annexation agreement with the developer, Limmer CO 132 Real Estate LLC.

Snyder said most retail development annexed into Hutto is not part of the sharing agreement because it is less than 5 acres.

“This (agreement) is killing us on every fastfood place that comes in, in the future for ever and ever, the build-out of the next 80% of our city,” he said.

Talks between the city, which wants to build its own fire station, and ESD No. 3 continue.

Another data center planned for U.S. 79 corridor

Hutto Planning and Zoning Commission approved an application Sept. 1 to rezone 140 acres from light-industrial development for a potential data center.

The site sits in the east-central portion of the Hutto Megasite, at U.S. 79 and CR 3349 inside the city limits.

Several data centers are planned for eastern Williamson County and almost all have raised concerns about noise, pollution and drains on the grid and water. Gov. Greg Abbott has even directed state regulatory agencies to audit the power demands of proposed centers.

Resident Nette Norman Lessner lives in the Norman’s Crossing neighborhood nearby on FM 1660. Lessner told the Planning and Zoning Commission farmers and families who live in the area are raising concerns.

“We have some questions about this data center. How big is it going to be? What is the noise pollution, light pollution, water use, wastewater, electricity, traffic and construction going to do to all of us and our quality of life?” Lessner asked.

Supporters note data centers are needed for artificial intelligence, communication, banking and military support, among other uses.

The Hutto Economic Development Corp. submitted the application to rezone the site to a planned unit development, or PUD, allowing for data center facilities and potential onsite power generation, along with room for flex-industrial buildings, industrial and warehouse uses.

“The PUD is intended to provide a development that is equal to or superior to what would be achieved under standard zoning regulations, while ensuring it does not create undue adverse impacts on adjacent properties, traffic, parking, utilities, or public health and safety, and is adequately served by essential public facilities and services,” said developer representative Talley Williams in a letter to the Hutto Planning Department.

According to Hayne Strader, chief development officer at Skybox Data Centers, a tenant for the data center has not been identified yet.

The land needs first to be zoned correctly and have received the permits needed for power generation, and then it will be built to suit a tenant. If the developers cannot acquire a power-generator permit, the tract will be repurposed for light-industrial use rather than as a data center.

The item must next be heard by the council before the rezoning can proceed.

—

if it happens

HUTTO - A proposed pay plan that would allow some teachers’ wages to quickly rise while potentially lowering other teachers’ salaries based Neatherlin sent teachers an on student performance will not be launched next school year.

Hutto Independent School District Superintendent Jeni email Sept. 9 assuring them the program was still in the evaluation stage and had not been voted in by the school board.

“To be clear, your data this year will not be used in a strategic compensation framework. We do NOT have a board-adopted strategic compensation plan,” Neatherlin said. “Right now, we are still listening, learning and building. IF we do this, it’s still several years away from being fully implemented. We want to get this right if it’s for us and not rush it.”

At the July 23 school board meeting, Clark Lowery, chief of schools, told trustees about plans for a strategic compensation initiative that is an optional part of the statewide Teacher Incentive Allotment from the Texas Education Agency.

Under TIA guidelines, educators may receive extra compensation tied to students’ growth during a school year based on expected targets.

Lowery said the program could be launched during the 2027-28 academic period using data from the current and previous school years.

James Gazzale, a Hutto ISD spokesman, said the vote by the trustees at that meeting signaled leadership will continue exploring the option, not launching the program. “They simply kind of offered their blessing in leadership continuing to pursue building out the program,” Gazzale said. “The purpose (the July presentation) served was to provide the board with an update of the work that had been done up until that point with the buildout and exploration of what a complete strategic compensation program would look like.”

After hearing about the program, several teachers appeared at the Aug. 27 board meeting to tell trustees their concerns about equitable evaluation across different types of classes, including those with students who are not yet proficient in English.

The teachers also spoke about the financial and emotional impact of potential yearly looming pay reductions based on the evaluations.

The teachers had questions about the speed of the rollout and how this year’s student testing data may influence their pay next year.

Gazzale said a large working group, which includes up to 60 teachers and administrators from different campuses, grade levels and subjects, has been meeting since March to determine whether strategic compensation was something Hutto ISD wanted to pursue.

The TIA is a funding program that offers school districts a way to designate and reward top-performing teachers, according to state officials.

According to the TEA website, it was “established with the goal of providing outstanding teachers an accessible pathway to a six-figure salary.”

Under the TIA, school districts receive an annual allotment for each eligible designated teacher. Funds can be used in several ways, including as incentives to keep high-performing teachers in the district or to attract effective teachers to high-needs campuses.

Hutto ISD participates in the TIA program, just not the strategic compensation cohort.

Neatherlin assured teachers in her email that strategic compensation is still a long way from reality.

“If and when a complete strategic compensation program is brought forward to the board, our teachers will have a clear understanding of the framework and exactly what it could mean for them,” she told educators. “Even presenting the board with a complete program for teacher compensation is several years down the road.”

A funding grant from the Taylor Economic Development Corp. is helping a local manufacturing firm move up to the next level, officials said.

The funds are allowing Masterson Industries Inc. to purchase the Supertec CNC cylindrical and centerless grinders, a move officials at the hard-chrome plating company have called a milestone.

The funding represents the EDC’s “ongoing commitment to strengthening advanced manufacturing and local business growth in Taylor,” according to a release.

“Helping established local manufacturers reach the next level is central to TEDC’s mission,” said Vice President Regina Carlson. “Supporting the growth of homegrown businesses like Masterson Industries is exactly what our work is about.”

In June, the company also earned Nadcap accreditation—the quality standard required by the aerospace and defense industry—in chemical processing.

“These new machines and our Nadcap accreditation represent years of planning and hard work,” said Will Masterson, Masterson vice president of operations. “They mark the beginning of our next stage of growth, and we couldn’t have achieved it without the support of the Taylor Economic Development Corp.”

The new equipment and the Nadcap accreditation strengthen Masterson’s aerospace hard-chrome plating capabilities and position the company for new opportunities, officials said.

“Masterson Industries’ continued expansion reflects exactly the kind of local success TEDC works to encourage, and we look forward to supporting the company’s next chapter right here in Taylor,” Carlson said.

Masterson Industries is located at 202 S. Edmond St.

For more about the EDC, visit https://tayloredc.org/.

COUPLAND — The first month of the new Coupland Junior High and High School has been a success, thanks to a lot of hard work, school officials said.

“In Coupland, we follow The Cowboy Way with the acronym RIDE, which stands for respect, integrity, dedication to learning and exceeding expectations,” said Coupland Elementary School Principal Kate Knapek. “We take pride that our students and staff follow The Cowboy Way in everything that they do.”

The Coupland Independent School District has formed what it calls “a game-changing partnership” with Granger and Thorndale independent school districts, as teachers from all three systems come together to plan and prepare for student learning.

“It is a great collaboration,” Knapek said.

Coupland’s last high school closed in the 1940s.

Meanwhile, Coupland’s new Spirit Squad held its first practice, learning cheers and making signs. The Spirit Squad’s inaugural event was to cheer for the CJHHS volleyball team.

Students will hold Dress Up Days to support the Cowboys.

The district’s first home football game is Thursday, Sept. 10, at Memorial Field in Taylor and the homecoming game is Sept. 17.

In addition. Suzie Dunlop stepped up last month to fill a vacancy on the school board.

“Students, staff and the community are important to me,” Dunlop said.

Blue Cat Businesses The Blue Cat, at 206 N. Austin St. behind the Coupland Veterinary Hospital, is a vintage home being converted into a business that features rentable spaces, including a commercial kitchen, three private rooms for small businesses and a shared area.

Owned by Martha Poldrack, the renovation is being managed by her sister, Prissy Rumel. The Blue Cat will be managed by Rumel’s daughter, Tessa Strider.

The Blue Cat is filling up, the managers said.

“We are excited to announce the small businesses that are calling The Blue Cat home,” Rummel said. “Please welcome Case by Case Studio that will be offering manicures, haircuts, hairstyling, blowouts, ear piercing and facial waxing.”

A second business called Double Take is offering curated vintage nostalgic treasures and handcrafted pieces.

“We’re thrilled to have a fun mix of businesses under one roof and there’s one room left,” Rummel said. “Come take a look.”

St. Peter’s Church of Coupland While St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, 108 Wathen St., searches for a permanent minister, the Rev. Nikki Stahl will serve as the bridge pastor, church leaders said.

She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Master of Science in social work from the University of Texas at Austin.

“While my time with you will be temporary, I look forward to walking alongside you as we worship, grow in faith, care for one another and prepare for the call of your next settled pastor,” Stahl said.

Worshippers are also rallying to assist neighbors hit hard by a recent disaster, officials said.

The Singleton/ Cavanaugh house burned recently, and St. Peter’s August Mission Offering is dedicated to helping the family replace their possessions and rent a house.

The church is also helping Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and Thrift Store, founded in 1993 by a ministry in Taylor, which now partners with 20 churches in the area, including St. Peter’s, to provide food, clothing and shelter.

St. Peter’s will be assisting with food distribution on Oct. 3, and volunteers are needed. The pantry is at 121 E. Second St. in Taylor.

Each week Shepherd’s Heart distributes groceries to about 400 households.

The next Senior Lunch is 11:30 a.m. Sept. 15, with chef Peter Wabbel providing a meal.

The Ladies’ Circle hosted the Community Senior Lunch a few weeks ago for 44 attendees who enjoyed bingo and dominoes after the meal.

“The Ladies’ Circle gives a shout-out to all who helped serve, especially our youngest helpers, Soren and Simon Strider,” President Cindy Alexander said.

St. Peter’s regular schedule includes Adult Sunday School at 9 a.m. Sunday followed by worship at 10:15 a.m.

New Sweden Lutheran Church Celebrating its 150th anniversary, New Sweden Lutheran Church –– said to be the most photographed sanctuary in Texas –– offers tours of for groups of four and more at 12809 New Sweden Church Road in Manor.

To arrange a visit, call the office at 512281-0056.

For church news and events, visit the website www.newswedenchurch. org.

The free homesteading/ everyday living classes continue, open to worshippers and visitors. Go to the website to learn more.

Adult Sunday School is 9:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by a worship service at 10:30 a.m. Bible studies include Ladies Bible Study with a light dinner 6:30 p.m. Thursdays. Biweekly Bible study with the Rev. Hans Lillejord is 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Game Days are 12:30 p.m. Thursdays with a light lunch, fellowship and favorite games. Every Thursday at 7 p.m. is “Ping-Pong with the Pastor.”

Type Church

Type Church is east of Coupland at 1200 CR 466. Services are 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays. On Wednesday, Bible study is at 6 p.m. The Men’s Prayer Breakfast is every second Saturday at 9 a.m.

In other business during last week’s school board meeting, members also considered tax rates.

Meanwhile, the outcry from educators at the Aug. 27 meeting had its genesis during a July session in which trustees voted to continue exploring strategic compensation, an option in the statewide Teacher Incentive Allotment that could redistribute educator salary budget funds based on performance.

Under strategic compensation, certified teachers could start at a competitive base pay of $62,500. From there, the district would forego across-the-board raises. Pay increases would be based on a teacher performance scorecard that measures student growth as 70% of the score. Non-performing teachers could see drops in pay.

“What hurts one hurts all,” teacher Francesca Mejia told the board during the Thursday session. “Taking money away from one teacher to give to another teacher will cripple the unity and community that Hutto so lovingly represents.”

Strategic compensation was not on the agenda, but the Aug. 27 meeting was the first opportunity teachers had to address the board with their concerns. Because it was not a listed item, trustees could not comment. Many teachers believed the strategic pay was set to begin next school year. On Sept. 9, the district sent a message saying that the compensation plan vote by the trustees was not an approval to start the program but to continue exploring it.

At the Aug. 27 meeting, Jo Ann Champion, an educator of 20 years, expressed dismay because, in her view, the July presentation seemed to show older teachers in a negative light.

“Excellence comes in many forms. We teacher elders are the backbone of our communities,” Champion said.

Educators said seasoned teachers become mentors to younger educators and are often the ones called on to head departments and volunteer.

Champion said unless she earns an Exemplary or Master’s status on the TIA scoring, she will take a pay cut. She said the loss could trim as much as $13,600 off her annual salary.

Fatima Johnson, a teacher at Farley Middle School, said the program does not provide equity between differing types of classes, with students taking some lessons more seriously than others.

Other teachers noted standardized written tests in fine arts classes are not valid interpretations of what pupils are meant to learn in those sessions. Those who teach classes where fewer students speak English could see negative impacts due to poor testing results.

“We feel like the house is on fire,” said Britagne Sullivan, a 10-year teacher at Farley Middle.

She pointed out what she considers a major flaw in the system: Many students did not take all of the beginning-of-year tests in every teacher’s class, so those pupils’ endof- year test scores will not count toward the teachers’ scores.

Sullivan said omission of these data points is “effectively rigging the game against the teacher.”

The plan could also see “devastating” financial fallout for teachers, who may not be able to rely on steady pay rates year to year. Potential loan denials and lower pension pay for retiring teachers were some of the other concerns.

Meghan Day, a sixth grade science teacher at Gus Almquist Middle School, said she left her teaching job in the Dallas Independent School District because trustees adopted a comparable incentive plan.

“That individual incentive pay turns colleagues into competitors, where teachers no longer help each other. Teaching is supposed to run on collaboration, not competition,” Day said.

According to a TIA website, “TIA was established with the goal of providing outstanding teachers an accessible pathway to a six-figure salary. … Through approved local designation systems, districts can identify and designate outstanding teachers based on student growth and classroom observation.”

As part of financially rewarding “top performing teachers,” educators can earn one of three levels of designation: recognized, exemplary, or master.

Temple College proposes tax rate Glen Graham, chief financial officer of Temple College, presented the proposed Branch Campus Maintenance Tax to trustees.

The school district will vote on the rate at its Sept. 24 meeting.

The tax — which is paid by several entities including Hutto ISD — helps support the East Williamson County Higher Education Center.

Graham said the Fiscal Year 2027 budget is higher than the 2026 budget because the college decided it wanted to increase the amount of money in its reserve fund.

The FY 2027 budget is $4.45 million, versus $4.32 million last year.

The proposed rate is the Voter Approval Rate of nearly 46 cents per $100 valuation. Last year the rate was about 40 cents.

Graham said this will result in the equivalent of a $10 increase to the “average taxable value home.”

A large data center and gas power plant slated to go up just outside of Taylor will move forward without seeking a partnership with the city, at least for now.

On Sept. 3, Taylor officials announced the developer of Project Mustang withdrew an application for annexation and will build without going through city channels.

“Because the property sits outside city limits, Taylor currently has no authority to stop this project or regulate how it’s developed,” according to a post from the city. “The city and developer are continuing negotiations on annexation, which remains the best path forward for addressing community priorities including noise, water use, setbacks and community benefits.”

“ What matters most is that we come to an agreement that will ensure protections for the neighborhood.”

— Daniel Seguin, Taylor official In August, the Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission put a 90-day pause on approval for the project’s requested annexation and zoning changes, asking the developer to bring back more information.

Taylor officials also want more time to develop their own zoning guidelines for digital and high-tech businesses, as well as consider feedback from the public.

The developer did not mention whether the community’s opposition or the P&Z pause on rezoning influenced the decision by Big Watt Digital LLC and PH Digital Data Center LLC, the companies behind Project Mustang, said Taylor’s Executive Director of Community Services Daniel Seguin “We can speculate, but what matters most is that we come to an agreement that will ensure protections for the neighborhood and benefits for the community,” Seguin said.

At the Aug. 18 P&Z meeting, Big Watt representative John Stokes told commissioners the project in Taylor’s extraterritorial jurisdiction would move forward with or without city collaboration, and the plant plans to be fully operation by 2028.

“We hope the city brings us in and includes us. But we do have to mention that if that doesn’t happen, if we’re not included in the city, we do intend to pursue the project anyway. But we hope to be part of the city, be part of that neighborly view,” Stokes said at the time.

The 665-acre data center site spans former farmland between U.S. 79 and FM 112 in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. It is surrounded by farming families and homesteads.

On Sept. 4, South Dakota-based Big Watt and Virginia’s PH Digital Data Center Development LLC issued a statement regarding plans for Taylor.

“Project Mustang remains committed to advancing development in Taylor,” the message read. “While the project has withdrawn its current annexation and zoning application with the city, we continue to engage with city leadership on a collaborative path forward for the benefit of the community.”

The message added, “Although the proposed site sits outside city limits and is not subject to municipal jurisdiction, our decision to keep working directly with the city reflects our commitment to being a responsible community partner. That commitment includes providing millions in grants for meaningful civic improvements, millions in grants to support Taylor (Independent School District), as well as providing scholarships for Taylor ISD students.”

The P&Z commission is an advisory board to the City Council. The council occasionally has disregarded the commission’s recommendations.

Regardless of the P&Z request to hold off on any approvals for zoning, a public hearing for the data center was added to the Sept. 10 council agenda. That item has since been canceled.

An agenda item to receive legal counsel concerning the project is on the executive session list for the meeting.

“The people of Taylor want land and human-centered zoning,” said community advocate Carrie D’Anna. “The community that is impacted the most is pushing back on the whole project, data center and gas plant.”

Under state law, there are no zoning requirements and minimal development regulations in the extraterritorial jurisdiction. The city also cannot collect property and sales/use tax revenue from the data center if it is outside city limits, potentially missing out on millions of dollars of tax revenue annually.

For more information about the project, visit Taylortx.gov/ Mustang.

During the last several months, Taylor officials and those in nearby Hutto have considered several data center projects, with most generating controversy from residents espousing health and pollution concerns.

In April, Zydeco Development pulled the plug on plans to construct a 70-megawatt data center in Hutto in the wake of intense public backlash.

In the meantime, Gov. Greg Abbott has asked state regulatory agencies to conduct an audit of the proposed energy needs of data centers, and is directing local entities not to burden taxpayers with the costs of creating data centers.

School began for Central Texas students several weeks ago, but one Hutto teen did not join them.

This week, Kyle Aldridge, 15, left for Michigan to pursue his dream of becoming a classical musician and attend the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Aldridge has been playing the trumpet since he was 6. His mother’s father and uncle were both musicians playing the saxophone and trumpet, respectively. Brianna Aldridge wanted her son to play an instrument, too.

“I told him to pick one,” the mother said.

Aldridge chose the trumpet and, while he admitted at first he just liked to make noise, he soon realized he could make music.

“What started as a young boy learning his first notes has grown into a deep passion for music,” Brianna said.

Aldridge added, “I like how music makes me feel.”

In the past nine years, Aldridge has worked to develop his musical muscles by participating in programs like the Austin Soundwaves and Soundwaves Symphony, which, according to the website, “serves student musicians across the greater Austin area, providing diverse opportunities for learners of all ages, backgrounds and experiences.”

“They help us with our music and create opportunities,” Aldridge said.

Through Soundwaves, Aldridge was inducted into the Draylen Mason Fellows Program in 2025. Only a select group of young musicians are chosen “to design and lead an original capstone performance that draws inspiration from a social justice issue collectively chosen by the cohort,” the website said.

“It’s an accomplishment that reflects his dedication, character and promise as a young artist,” Brianna said.

The summer before his freshman year of high school, Austin Soundwaves facilitated Aldridge’s attendance at the Interlochen Center for the Arts summer program at Interlochen, Michigan. Before the summer ended, Interlochen offered him a place at the school, but Aldridge’s mother thought he was too young to attend a boarding school so far away.

Aldridge pushed for the opportunity and he and his mother struck a deal.

“I gave him a year to show me that he could clean his room and tend to his schoolwork and other responsibilities without me reminding him,” Brianna said.

Aldridge began high school not in Michigan but at the Hutto Ninth Grade Center, where he joined the Hutto High School marching band. He put in several hours each week in rehearsals, performances and competitions, but he still kept his end of the bargain he made with his mother.

“He exceeded everything I asked of him,” Brianna said. “He went above and beyond.”

With his mother’s permission, Aldridge applied to Interlochen and was not only accepted but also granted a merit scholarship.

“I’m excited and a little nervous,” Aldridge said of the opportunity.

Aldridge will leave behind his family, but he is excited to take the next step toward his dream of becoming a classical musician. Although he does not yet know anyone at Interlochen, Aldridge will attend classes and practices alongside other talented young artists from across the country.

Of his plans after high school graduation, Aldridge said, “I want to go to college at (The) Juilliard (School) or Curtis (Institute of Music).”

After that, Aldridge does not know.

“I’ll go where the music takes me,” he said.

“ It’s an accomplishment that reflects his (Kyle’s) dedication, character and promise as a young artist”

— Brianna Aldridge, mother of 15-year-old trumpter Kyle

A three-to-six-day disaster kit and a plan for where to meet in case of an emergency are basic components of disaster preparedness that every resident should consider, according to a proclamation signed by commissioners Sept. 1.

In addition, county leaders at the session passed a budget and tax rate that will see lower bills for many ratepayers and learned the county has won a grant to help veterans.

Meanwhile, commissioners held a discussion on being ready for emergencies while noting that September is National Preparedness Month, a timely gesture ahead of potential severe weather as Tropical Storm Edouard approached the Texas-Louisiana shoreline.

The campaign is sponsored on the national level by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to encourage action plans in the event of natural or manmade calamities.

“Right now, the main thing that we’re concerned about are wildfires, especially with the storm that’s moving toward us,” said Emergency Management Chief Bruce Clements. “As it rotates, that wind will pick up and as dry as things are right now, we’re very concerned about wildfire outbreaks.”

Texas historically leads the nation in the number of federally declared disasters, according to county documents, and National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to inform and educate the community to be ready to “prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate against all threats and hazards,” according to the commissioners.

Disaster kits should include enough food and water for the family for up to six days, plus required medicine and important documents that should not be left behind in an evacuation. Emergency plans should take into account how to leave the area with young children, older adults, pets and people with special medical needs.

More information on preparedness can be found at Ready. gov and at the county website wilcotx. gov/218/Emergency-Management.

Those wishing to receive emergency alerts should sign up at WarnCentralTexas.org.

From 2-4 p.m. Sept. 23, the county’s Office of Emergency Management will host a severe weather and flood class in Training Room B at the Emergency Medical Services building, 3189 S.E. Inner Loop Drive.

The event is open to the public and registration is at wilcotx. gov/218/Emergency-Management.

County adopts budget and tax rate After a public hearing on the 2026-2027 county budget, commissioners approved the general fund, road and bridge fund and debt-service fund budgets.

The amounts approved were $405.7 million for the general fund, $75 million for the road and bridge fund and $232,288 for the county’s debt service fund for a total budget of nearly $481 million.

The county also adopted its no new revenue tax rate of 42 cents per $100 of appraised property value. This amount will result in a balanced budget, administrators said.

The average homeowner will see a reduction in county taxes, with the estimated 2026 property tax bill for the median-valued homestead property decreasing from $1,717 to $1,671.

Veterans receive emergency support Michael Hernandez, director of veteran services for Williamson County, announced Wilco has won a grant of $300,000 for emergency financial assistance from the Texas Veterans Commission.

“We have prevented over 14 evictions this past grant period. Unfortunately, we know that there’s still a need and we want to continue to identify that,” Hernandez said.

That amount is in addition to a grant awarded in August for $360,000 to help veterans with addiction issues as they go through the court system.

The Veterans Service Office serves about 300 local former military members. Any veterans living in the county who want more information or who may need access to resources can email veteranservices@ wilcotx.gov or call 512-943-1900.

The next Commissioners Court is 9:30 a.m. Sept. 8 in the Williamson County Administration building, 1848 Texas Trail.

Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners-Court.

My longtime friend, Cathryn Stroud, known as Gigi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, is one of those amazing seniors. She recently surprised friends and family with her quick thinking, fast reflexes and superior skill when she discovered a slithery intruder inside her home, armed with fangs, venom and a noisy rattle.

You should also know that Cathryn is 93 years of age. She lives alone in a rural area around Coupland, and she is partially blind.

As soon as I heard there had been an incident with a rattlesnake inside her home, I couldn’t wait to talk to her and find out exactly what happened. As you might guess, the full story is incredibly amazing.

A few weeks ago, Cathryn’s four dogs began barking at something in her bedroom. Her daughter just happened to be visiting at the time and went to check on the situation. After alerting her mother to the fact that a venomous snake had found its way inside the house, Cathryn very calmly walked into the bedroom to tend to the matter.

“The dogs would jump at it and then jump back,” Cathryn said. “While they had it occupied, I was able to get close enough to step on its head really hard.”

Cathryn said she could feel the bones crushing under her foot, and although the reptile was still alive and moving, she could tell it had been seriously disabled by the forceful stomp.

“We got the dogs out of there, and after I was sure it wasn’t going to jump up at me, I lifted my foot and kicked it closer to the door,” Cathryn said.

That door just happened to be where a heavy cast-iron teapot was being used as a doorstop. Cathryn picked up the teapot and proceeded to completely neutralize the threat.

At this point, I am in shock at how this 93-year-old eliminated a serious danger in her home so quickly and efficiently.

When asked about the size of the snake, she replied, “It wasn’t that long, probably less than 2 feet, although I never saw it stretched out.”

And then, as if this venomous snake extermination was no big deal, she said, “I’ve killed much bigger than that.”

Locals may remember Cathryn from the 16 years she worked at Taylor’s Head Start program.

“I cooked for all the kids and staff,” Cathryn recalled. “I bought all the groceries and did all the paperwork. I was the only cook and had help from volunteers.”

She called the job rewarding, and described then-director Sonora Ross as a remarkable woman.

“I could not have done her job,” Cathryn said. “She was so understanding, even with some of the difficult situations she had to deal with.”

Cathryn and her husband, O.G., and their six kids left California in 1970 and moved to McDade. O.G. passed away not long after arriving back in his home state, and Cathryn later moved to the Coupland area.

Growing up on a farm in California during The Great Depression and during World War II, Cathryn’s family produced most of their own food. She learned the value of hard work at a young age, rising early to take care of chores.

Her family grew large quantities of potatoes, storing them in a cellar to have until the next year’s crop was ready to harvest. They also kept between 200 and 300 chickens and sold the eggs during a time when many families couldn’t afford much else to eat.

Cathryn’s father farmed the land with mules, and people would sometimes hire him and his mule team to build what was known as a sump on their land. Digging a sump in California was like digging a pond in Texas. With plentiful oil wells in the area, a sump would hold crude oil until it could be taken to local refineries.

After graduating from Wasco High School in 1950, Cathryn entered a training program for nurses at a local hospital. The course ended abruptly when an earthquake caused most of the hospital to collapse.

In moving to Texas, Cathryn traded earthquakes for tornadoes, walnuts (which she still prefers) for pecans and an almost snake-free environment for a rural area plentiful with rattlesnakes. During her entire time in California, she only remembers seeing one harmless snake out in the garden.

Today, Cathryn enjoys spending time with her children, 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, several of whom have remained in Taylor.

“My favorite memories at Gigi’s are the tea parties we would have,” said granddaughter Samantha Chicas. “She would always give me extra sugar cubes to eat, and she would always jump rope with us.”

When asked about the recent rattlesnake incident, Cathryn is quick to warn any children who may be listening to never approach a snake, but to always inform an adult so that adult can decide what to do.

I have always known Cathryn to be a kind and caring individual. Now I also know just how tough she can be when needed.

Final score: Cathryn 1, Rattlesnake 0.

Join me here in a couple of weeks as we explore another tale from Taylor. Until then, be proud of where you’re from.

Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 40 years of service. For a topic or suggestion, reach out to Crow via emily.treadway@ granitemediapartners. com.

Counseling and grief services are available for pupils struggling with the news, the district said.

“I know dealing with the loss of one of our students will be hard. I also want you to know that the teachers and staff will do everything we can to support anyone in the Cowboy family that is struggling during this time of grief,” Superintendent Earl Parcell said in a prepared statement Wednesday.

The student has not been identified.

The highway was closed Sept. 1 in both directions following the crash and was cleared at 9:36 p.m., according to a post from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

Other agencies responding to the accident, which occurred late Tuesday afternoon, included Williamson County Emergency Medical Services, the Precinct 2 Constable’s Office and fire services.

Investigators have declined to release any further details on the tragedy.

For those who want help addressing the “emotions, concerns and questions” for students and others in the wake of the accident, Parcell said the district has a School Crisis Team that includes support services from neighboring school districts as well as Education Service Center at Region 13.

The school district also has counselors, the online letter to parents and caregivers noted.

Another resource can be found at couplandisd. org/page/counseling or by contacting Coupland Elementary Principal Kate Knapek at 512-856-2422 or kknapek@couplandisd. org.

Executives from South Korean high-tech firms and companies know one thing: They love doing business in Central Texas and more are coming.

That was the message delivered to hundreds of local leaders and South Korean business representatives at the Aug. 26 inaugural 2026 Central Texas-Korea Summit in Taylor, organized by the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce and Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce.

“The trend is clear,” said Kyong-Hoon Kim, director of the Korea International Trade Association-Dallas regional office. “Korean companies are building here. Technology companies are coming here. And Texas keeps giving them reasons to stay.”

The state’s generally friendly business climate, no state income tax, willingness to grant tax incentives and milder temperatures have all been cited as reasons to come to the Lone Star State.

Attendees came prepared to form relationships and talk about the future of Asian-backed enterprises, especially considering recent developments including the growing Samsung Austin Semiconductor facility in Taylor and the ancillary businesses it has attracted.

Held at the Williamson County Exposition Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail, organizers said the expectation is the conference will become an annual event.

“We know there’s a lot more business coming here from Korea and some of the surrounding international countries, so we want to be really invested in the culture and how we do business together,” Billie Logiudice, vice president of the Hutto chamber, told the Press. “This event started off with the three chambers coming together and saying, ‘This is impacting our area and what can we do to support the ecosystem?’” Jay Choi, with the Austin Asian chamber, believes thousands more Asian companies are looking for opportunities to come to Williamson County, many of which will support larger industries such as semiconductor chip manufacturing.

Choi, who was one of the conference speakers, later said what is needed is an “infrastructure of soft landings.”

“It’s really hard for foreign companies to come in and hire workers, find office space. They need help in many areas that would have to be assisted by local communities. Developers, community banks, they also need to step up in welcoming them,” he said.

The momentum to work with Asian companies entering Central Texas has already begun, he added.

“I’m getting interest not only from Asia but from local banks and local companies and from foreign companies, from Switzerland. All over the world, they’re coming to Austin and joining our chamber because they want to build a bridge,” Choi said. “They want to be connected to the companies that are coming in and have a partnership.”

The theme of “soft landings” dominated the summit, a reference to guiding foreign businesses through the cultural and governmental differences they will encounter in Central Texas.

Experts spoke about the difficulty foreign companies face in accessing capital and obtaining business loans in a country where they have no credit history.

Some also noted the types and amounts of permitting required are difficult to navigate for foreign investors, many of whom come from an environment where business is more on a trust basis than a contractual one.

Local business delegates recommended cities designate a single point of contact to help take new businesses through the unfamiliar maze of zoning and permitting.

The need for water, transportation and workforce development also took center stage.

Kyung-Eun Lee, with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston, said the partnership between South Korea and Texas should grow in both directions.

“We’ve talked a lot about Korea’s investment in Texas. Going forward, I also hope to see more Texas companies explore new business and investment opportunities in Korea,” she said. “Korea is seeing rapid growth in new markets such as (artificial intelligence), robotics and energy. These areas also offer many new opportunities to Texas companies.”

Samsung Austin Semiconductor played a large part in the summit. President Bon-Young Koo spoke about Samsung’s progress in Central Texas since the company broke ground on the Austin facility 30 years ago.

The second, multibillion- dollar campus in Taylor producing semiconductor chips is expected to go operational this year.

“Since 1996, we have invested $34.8 billion between our two campuses. In 2025, we supported 28,000 jobs and $2 billion in sales,” Koo said.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced in July it is expanding the Taylor site to include a second semiconductor fabrication plant. Company officials plan to break ground late this year and be running the second plant by 2030.

Samsung received a $250 million grant in October 2025 from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund to support the Taylor expansion.

“

“I’m getting interest not only from Asia but from local banks and local companies and from foreign companies, from Switzerland.”

— Jay Choi, Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce

COUPLAND — As the small city on the edge of south Williamson County grows, local officials say they are doing their best to keep up with required financial notices and administrative issues, but add mistakes have been made.

One recent controversy raising some hackles surfaced when the City Council did not comply with the state’s transparency laws requiring the posting of a public notice about the municipal budget in a local newspaper.

Coupland missed the deadline but still approved the city budget during the Aug. 18 meeting, leading to pushback from some residents.

The media center at the new Coupland Junior High and High School was filled with residents ready to voice and hear complaints about the city’s budget and the city secretary’s salary.

“They’re not following state guidelines regarding budgets, permits, ordinances or expenditures,” said former alderman and local business owner Wells Mason.

Resident Prissy Rumel added, “The city is not keeping up with the communication to the citizens as specified in Texas code…I

See COUPLAND • page 2 (assumed) since nothing regarding the budget was done according to the Texas code, that (they wouldn’t) be able to approve any budget.”

Both Mayor Russell Schmidt and Mayor Pro Tem Sue Rogers acknowledged during and after the meeting that mistakes had been made.

Alderwoman Carolyn Haverland said that as Coupland grows, the city will need more comprehensive financial plans.

“We know we’re going to have to stay on top of it, but we’ve never had to do an in-depth budget before and we’re going to make mistakes,” she said.

The majority of people packing the Aug. 18 session agreed the city, mayor and residents share the same concerns for Coupland and all want what is best for the community.

“To remedy the situation, we need better communication and more transparency from the city,” said Mason, an artist and sculptor.

Some community members noted they were going to apply for council positions and Alderwoman Loretta Patschke commended them.

“We need new blood,” she said. “I’m 82 years old and I stepped up to fill the empty seat on this council because none of you did.”

Coupland’s mayor and aldermen are all volunteer positions. They do not receive any salary or stipend for their work.

Also, at issue are concerns some residents have raised about the $53,000 salary of City Secretary Rachel Wrzuszczak, the sole municipal employee to receive one.

Wrzuszczak declined to comment for this story.

Fully qualified municipal secretaries in Texas earn a median salary of $86,632 to $143,902, depending on the size of the community and professional certifications, such as the Texas Registered Municipal Clerk certification.

Ahead of the meeting, Rumel — a longtime community organizer — gathered information on the salaries of surrounding East Wilco cities and said Wrzuszczak was “being paid way above average,” accounting for about 17% of the city’s budget, especially since the city website says the secretary works six hours a week.

Schmidt and Rogers both noted the website is incorrect and Wrzuszczak works many more hours than what is stated.

They also pointed out in the meeting and, according to residents, in other private discussions, that Wrzuszczak was in the process of earning her certifications.

Haverland said she abstained on the vote to approve Wrzuszczak’s salary because she, too, thought it was high in comparison, but Haverland added, “(Wrzuszczak) doesn’t receive benefits, she doesn’t get insurance, all of that has to come out of her salary.”

In Rumel’s opinion, the city does not need a full-time secretary.

“I’m not trying to get (Wrzuszczak) fired,” she said. “I just want to make sure (the city) is doing the things we’re supposed to be doing.”

Rumel suggested finding a certified secretary willing to work the six weekly hours on a contract basis.

“I think they need to find somebody that they pay $100 an hour that keeps (the city) in line with what they’re supposed to be doing,” she said.

Under state law, a municipal budget must be locked in place by Sept. 29 before the fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

The city is growing — according to the 2020 U.S. census, the population was just under 300 residents, but other trackers in 2026 put that figure closer to almost 500. Williamson County officials note the greater Coupland area has an estimated population of nearly 3,000.

Coupland is also attracting high-tech industries, including a John Deere facility to test experimental farm equipment and Dynamic Systems Inc., which manufactures heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing components for large companies such as Taylor’s nearby Samsung Austin Semiconductor.

In addition to popular attractions such as the Coupland Dancehall, the Coupland Independent School District just opened the new junior high and high school, the first local high school since the previous campus shuttered in the 1940s.

“

“We’ve never had to do an in-depth budget before and we’re going to make mistakes.”

— Alderwoman Carolyn Haverland

HUTTO — A man charged in a brutal hatchet attack on a customer at the Home Depot asked officers if the victim had succumbed to his injuries and said he “hoped he was dead,” according to a probable-cause affidavit.

Investigators have said the assault occurred about 5 p.m. Aug. 14 inside the store in the 600 block of West Street. Police initially said the incident was “unprovoked” and have not yet said if the investigation has determined a motive.

Officers arrested a suspect about an hour after the episode and the victim continues to improve, investigators said. John Doyle Bauer, 41, of Austin, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. At press time, he remained in the Williamson County Jail in Georgetown in lieu of posting a $750,000 bond.

Manuel Vera, 78, of Hutto, was rushed to Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital in Round Rock after suffering injuries to both arms and his head, police said.

Vera has since been released from the medical center and is recovering at home, according to a post from his family on Facebook. According to Hutto police, Bauer told officers he “had just killed someone,” according to the court document obtained by the Taylor Press.

The affidavit filed by Hutto Detective John Vargas and affirmed by Magistrate Ryan Palmquist stated that Vargas contacted Home Depot Asset Protection Manager Timothy Jones, who showed him surveillance footage of the incident.

Vargas said he observed Bauer and Vera arrive at the Home Depot, with Bauer following Vera into the store before stopping near the entrance and watching Vera walk farther inside, the court document stated.

Bauer then selected a hatchet from a rack and approached Vera, striking him multiple times with the hatchet, which caused Vera to fall to the floor, according to Vargas’ account outlined in the affidavit.

Bauer then dropped the hatchet and drove away in his white Toyota, according to the court record.

Hutto police later located the vehicle just outside the city limits. Bauer was taken into custody, placed in handcuffs and transported to the Hutto Police Department for questioning, according to the affidavit.

Once in custody, Bauer asked Vargas and Detective Rooshad Irani if the victim was dead and hoped that the individual was dead, according to the affidavit.

Vera’s family has since created a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses related to the attack.

As of last week, the site raised more than $7,000 toward its $10,000 goal.

“Thank you once again for all of your generous donations. It truly means so much to have such an incredible community surrounding our family. Manuel has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from everyone,” the family wrote on his fundraising page.

Those wishing to contribute to Vera’s medical expenses can donate at https://gofund. me/05d9cdf65.

Taylor is joining a host of other Texas cities and putting discussions on hold about renewing or expanding police surveillance technology.

Without further discussion, Mayor Jim Buzan announced at the beginning of the Aug. 27 City Council meeting that an agenda item to consider extending the Police Department’s Axon surveillance contract was being tabled.

While that agreement includes body and patrol car cameras, a state grant could also add automatic license plate readers.

In other business at the meeting, council members heard about upgrades to fitness equipment at Memorial Field thanks to a donation and began consideration of a new fee schedule.

In addition, a hearing on the proposed tax rate and budget is set for Sept. 10.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s Axon body-worn camera contract will expire in November, and Police Chief Joseph Chacon is recommending a 10-year renewal agreement which will total $549,901.

The Axon vehicle camera contract expires in 2030, and Chacon has requested to add four cameras to cover the new patrol cars. The new annual licensing cost for all fleet cameras would be $13,100.

Chacon asked the council to approve an update in the software that would allow the cameras in the patrol cars to function as mobile automatic license plate readers, or ALPRs.

Although the Axon item was placed on the back burner, the issue of increased surveillance continues to generate discussion and controversy.

“These readers may have some real public safety benefits, but privacy, once given away, is extremely hard to get back,” said resident Tara Anders. “And if staffing is part of the problem, shouldn’t we talk about investing in that area before more cameras?”

“

“These (automated license plate) readers may have some real public safety benefits, but privacy, once given away, is extremely hard to get back.”

— Tara Anders Anders said she wants answers from the council before any vote to expand the city’s camera usage. She shared concerns about safeguards, protocol failures and reported nationwide abuse including instances by members of law enforcement.

Other cities in the state, from Bandera and Boerne to Pflugerville, recently have paused or decided not to renew deals for ALPRs out of concerns about misuses or improper access to collected surveillance data.

Flock Safety is a major supplier of ALPRs.

Axon is a competitor to Flock in the residentsurveillance industry. Axon’s platform allows officers’ body-worn cameras to be used for livestreaming. Authorized users can livestream from any officer’s camera at any time, according to the company’s website. It was unclear whether that function is included in the Taylor contract.

The Police Department recently was awarded a grant from the Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority that pays for 80% of the cost to add the license plate reader function.

The city’s portion of the cost would be $3,024 for the first year, with the ability to opt out if the grant is not renewed in future years.

Meanwhile, various media outlets report Gov. Greg Abbott last week ordered state agencies to stop funding Flock cameras. Several cities utilizing the cameras have funded them through state money.

“To the extent that cities get any funding for those cameras, most of it comes from the federal government. To the extent any funding comes from Texas agencies, those agencies are clarifying that those funds cannot be used for Flock cameras,” Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement.

Memorial Field gets more fit

Nonprofit Good Life Taylor is donating over $66,000 to add more fitness equipment at Memorial Field, 1213 Davis St. The proposed additions include bodyweight workout stations, such as parallel bars and plyometric steps, according to Betsy Schultz, Parks and Recreation Department director.

The council approved the purchase of the equipment at the Aug. 27 meeting. Schultz said the fitness station will be installed in the southwest corner of the field by the end of the year.

About half of the funds raised by Good Life Taylor came from an HDR Foundation grant. HDR Engineering works closely with the city on many of its capital projects.

A shade cover is coming at a later date.

“We very much appreciate the relationship we have with the city and the continued opportunities we have to collaborate over everything we can do to support Taylor,” said Good Life Taylor board member Nora Bryan.

In 2024, Good Life Taylor funded four pieces of equipment, which were installed at the southeast corner of the field.

Good Life Taylor raises funds in part through events such as the Good Life 5K, scheduled for Oct. 10.

Fee increases proposed

Chief Financial Officer Robert Powers introduced a new city fee schedule that increases the amount users will pay for services, including burial at Taylor City Cemetery and various fire inspection and plan reviews.

The schedule will be voted on at a future council meeting.

The biggest change would be an increase in the annexation development fee from a flat $1,000 to $1,000 per acre.

“If you have 100 acres and you go from $1,000 to $100,000, that’s significant,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Cmerek.

For reference, the Project Mustang data center and power plant would annex 665 acres into the city if approved, adding $665,000 to city coffers if they are not grandfathered in at the previous flat $1,000 rate.

Water bills will also increase. The base monthly minimum charge would rise from $44.26 to $46.47 for properties on a 5/8inch or 3/4-inch meter. Those with a 1-inch meter size will increase from $73.93 to $77.63.

Larger meter sizes have larger base fee increases.

The majority of residents will not see an increase in the pergallon rate. Volumetric rates will increase for users above 6,000 gallons.

COUPLAND — Coupland Independent School District trustees Aug. 13 unanimously voted to place a voter- approval tax rate election on the Nov. 3 ballot, even though a similar initiative failed last year.

With the opening of the new Coupland Junior High and High School in August, the district could see a $200,000 deficit, prompting the need for a VATRE, Superintendent Earl Parcell said.

“Expenses are increasing at a rate higher than revenue … (The cost) of everything went up,” Parcell said during a previous meeting.

If successful this November, the VATRE would fund maintenance and operation expenses, including additional costs associated with the new school.

It would also give the district a “neutral” or “balanced” budget, officials heard.

“This increase would maximize the amount of state and local funding available through several avenues,” Parcell said. “Increased enrollment, attendance and basic allotment of funds are the main factors.”

In addition, Coupland ISD trustees approved a proposal to raise the school tax for the 2026-27 budget year by $1.19, split between 69 cents for maintenance and other operations and 50 cents for principal payments and interest on bond debt.

Overall, the Coupland school board projects a 4.57% tax rate increase, which will raise maintenance and operations taxes on a $100,000 home by about $33.

Meanwhile, Parcell highlighted several positive changes Coupland ISD has experienced recently, including an increase in starting teacher pay to $47,000 and staffing reaching 100% after adding 12 full-time employees.

Parcell noted the number of transfer students has hit its threshold as well. “Parents have heard what we can do, what we’ve done for kids and they want be here,” Parcell said. “It says something that they’re trying to get into Coupland. We tell them they absolutely can apply.”

Trustees also appointed Suzie Dunlop as a new board member. She will serve until 2028.

“Thank you for trusting me. I appreciate this a lot. Thank you for everything,” Dunlop said.

Dunlop is taking over for Royce Hatch, who stepped down a few months ago.

The next board meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 10 in the junior and high school’s media center at 350 CR 460.