Buzan earned 72.51% of the vote. Taylor Stubbs (22.64%) and Sandra Wolff (4.85%) are also in a Mayor race.

This marks the first time Taylor residents voted for a Mayor. The position was previously appointed to someone on the city council dais.

Current Mayor Dwayne Ariola decided not to run for the office. He was appointed to Mayor in 2024.

There will be a runoff in Hutto for City Council Place 1. Jerrel W. Reynolds (41.97%) and Brandy McCool (24.19%) earned the top two votes in that race. Sarosh Jafri (23.07%) and Luiz Dunham (10.77%) also ran for Place 1.

Hutto City Council Place 4 will not need a runoff. Corine Zepeda (54.85%) defeated Brandon DeLeon (45.15%) for that place. 

The runoff for the local election is June 13. Complete election results can be seen in the Wednesday E edition. 

Parts of the county officially received two to five inches of rain in a matter of hours, with the western section of Williamson County noting around seven inches. Forty-four roads are currently closed throughout the county. Twenty people and 17 recreational vehicles from the Shady River and Goodwater RV parks along Texas 29 were evacuated earlier Tuesday.

At 7:40 a.m., Clements said one of the reference points in San Gabriel River that the county monitors were at seven feet, but the river has currently reached more than 13 feet.

“Swift water rescue teams are launched when (that number) hits above 16 feet,” Clements said.

Snell noted that the swift water rescue team has been on standby today but has not been needed. The county will continue to monitor the San Gabriel River throughout the evening.

“Williamson County has been very fortunate that we haven’t had the highly concentrated areas with property and people impacted as they were (in the flooding) last July,” Clements said.

Snell encouraged county residents to monitor road closures and flood conditions at atxfloods.com and to sign up for warncentraltexas.org to stay up to date with emergency situations.

The session will take place from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the Williamson County Emergency Medical Services building, 3189 SE Inner Loop, Georgetown. 

The public will have the opportunity to learn about solutions involving the justice center, the Sheriff’s Office and the county jail. 

For comments or concerns, email publicinformation@wilcotx.gov. 

GEORGETOWN — County Commissioners accepted grant monies for the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Transformative Justice Program, but declined federal funding for the HOME Investment Partnership Program.

During Tuesday’s session, commissioners learned the Sheriff’s Office received a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant to purchase an inflatable rescue boat, motor and trailer for the county.

A previous rescue boat was damaged during the deadly July 5 floods.

“I will apply for any grant that can get the department the things we need and save the county money,” Sheriff Matthew Lindemann previously said.

Deputies also received commissioners’ approval during the April 14 meeting to apply for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to the tune of $15,000 to help support Junior Deputy Academy, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, Adult Citizens Academy and more.

Meanwhile, the Transformative Justice Program received grant funds of $164,000 from the Criminal Justice Grants Program. Those funds will receive an equal match from the county.

Commissioners approved County Auditor Julie Kiley to help manage the funds.

The program provides second chances instead of jail for nonviolent, young adult offenders.

In other business, Community Development Administrator Sally Bardwell recommended commissioners decline Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, The program aims to create affordable housing for low-income residents, but requires a local contribution and adding staff.

The commissioners declined the funding. “Participation requires establishing an ongoing administration of the HOME program, which entails significant staffing compliance and oversight management. I’m not sure we have the capacity to do that,” Bardwell said.

Under federal guidelines, the county would also have to invest $26,000 and meet a $750,000 threshold to receive the allocation.

“We could request that the state release those funds to us, however, when discussing this with HUD they have no knowledge that the state has ever done that for this program,” Bardwell said.

Given financial and staffing constraints, Bardwell said it was in the county’s best interest to deny the funds at this time and revisit the issue next year.

Commissioners meet at 9:30 a.m. April 21 at 710 S. Main St.

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

“

“I’m not sure we have the capacity to do that.”

– Sally Bardwell

During the April 9 school board meeting, trustees approved the purchase of 1,300 books to fill the empty library shelves of Coupland Junior High and High School, which opens in August.

The library can hold up to 2,000 books.

“It equals 13 books per student,” Superintendent Earl Parcell said, noting there are plenty of volumes for each student to read with room for more.

The proposed book list has been available and posted online since February, adhering to state Senate Bill 13 that provides parents with the opportunity to view the books and share any potential concerns.

In other business, trustees also discussed the state of the district’s school buses and applying for a grant or other assistance to cover the cost of adding threepoint seat belts now required by state law.

Like many other East Wilco school districts, Coupland ISD cannot afford to retrofit all its buses to have the restraints in place by fall 2029.

The district has to provide the Texas Education Agency with an update on the seat belts, its transports and financial status by the end of May.

Parcell will inform the state agency the district faces financial hardship.

“We may be able to receive a grant or apply for a grant to help us pay for new buses,” Parcell said.

TEA has already suggested financial assistance may be available to help school districts meet the requirements of state Senate Bill 546, but critics say the plan could cost the agency millions of dollars.

The next school board meeting is 6 p.m. May 14 in the library at Coupland School, 620 S. Commerce St.

Three candidates vying for the mayoral seat in the May 2 election agreed during a Monday forum Taylor is swiftly changing, with each presenting their separate views on how to handle that growth.

For the first time in Taylor’s recent history, voters — not the City Council — will select the city’s top executive. The electorate in May 2024 approved a City Charter revision calling for the mayor to be elected atlarge.

Mayor Dwayne Ariola declined to seek another three-year term, so hopefuls Jim Buzan, Sandra Wolff and Taylor Stubbs are vying for the position.

They addressed more than 50 audience members April 13 during a forum hosted by the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce at the Taylor Independent School District Event Center, 3101 N. Main St.

Steve Laukhuf, owner and morning deejay of KRXT 98.5 radio, moderated. The Taylor Press live-streamed the event.

Candidates answered questions submitted online to the Chamber about the city’s growth, increasing water needs, data centers, housing affordability and more.

It was not lost on the audience a new tech hub is rising from the agrarian Blackland Prairie, including the pending operational status of Samsung Austin Semiconductor and even more recent news an aerospace lab that tests radiation shielding is coming to town.

The trio of candidates agreed Taylor is changing, and each contender shared their view on how to adapt and structure the growth.

Stubbs, the youngest candidate, noted in a few years the city is not going to be the same Taylor the community knows today.

He said he wants to be a voice building bridges between the generations. He is an independent researcher and a systems-level inventor.

“I want to bring people together in a time where I feel like a lot of trust and accountability isn’t on the main agenda,” Stubbs said. “I want to speak up and say what I have to say when something isn’t right. I want to be a mayor of Taylor that supports growth.”

Wolff said Taylor is one of those communities where neighbors watch out for each other.

“I don’t want to lose that just because we’re transitioning from an agricultural community to a high-tech industrial community,” Wolff said. “It doesn’t mean we have to lose the essence of what Taylor is. If there’s any place in the world that can merge technology and agriculture and small-town values, it’s here.”

Wolff is a Chamber member and owns Wolff Acres LLC.

Buzan, a Taylor native, moved away after college. He returned seven years ago, now owns a local business and has served as a Taylor ISD trustee. He and his wife have stayed active in community service, he said.

“We’ve done a lot to try and help Taylor grow and to keep the character of Taylor,” Buzan said.

If elected, his priorities for Taylor’s growth include a clear and transparent plan for water and wastewater, a comprehensive plan for the city’s land development code, ensuring a wide variety of housing and strengthening relationships with business partners.

Question about supporting data centers, currently a hot topic in the community, featured in the question-andanswer session.

Wolff answered first. “We do need to have specific zoning requirements for them, but more importantly, no more abatements. We need our money so we can be better neighbors for this type of development,” Wolff said.

Buzan said specific zoning requirements focused solely on data centers do not go far enough.

“Data centers are what we’re focused on today, but I think it may be better to have a broader category of which data centers are a component so if something different shows up in a year or two, we don’t have to go and have an open zoning process, we have the means by which we can evaluate those projects and make sure that we can create this community together,” Buzan said.

Stubbs does not support data centers in the community.

“But I’m also not for them forming (municipal utility districts) outside of our city and us losing control,” Stubbs said.

Stubbs added data centers not only have state law supporting them, but also a lot of legal firepower to protect their interests.

“I think we need to look at it as what is going on and how can we make sure we don’t get taken advantage of,” he said.

To see the entire forum, visit the Taylor Press Facebook page at GoTaylorTx.

Coupland is hosting cleanup days this weekend.

The two-day event starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The city hosted a clean-up event last weekend as well.

Residents are required to sign up in advance. The following will not be accepted: machinery, lawn equipment, hazardous materials or explosives, tires, mattresses or appliances of any size.

The form can be completed on the website, www. cityofcouplandtx.us, or can be picked up by calling 737215-2649.

The cleanup is only for residents living within the city limits.

COUPLAND SCHOOL Three summertime activities have been announced at Coupland School, 620 S. Commerce St.

Cowboy Camp is May 26-29, summer school is June 1-11 and English as a Second Language instruction is May 26-June 18.

Coupland School’s recent Registration Celebration proved to be a success, according to Assistant Principal Kate Knapek.

“Thank you to all of our staff who attended and worked so hard,” Knapek said. “Thanks to Temple College for all of their registration help, tons of pizza and amazing partnership. Thank you to Taylor Sporting Goods for bringing new Coupland merchandise and thank you to Coupland Mayor Russell Schmidt for his support.”

Big things are in store for the Coupland athletic program, much of it tied to the new Coupland Junior High and Senior High School opening in August, officials said. This fall, the Cowboys and Cowgirls will compete in high school athletics for the first time in 80 years.

“Coupland athletics is excited to be looking forward to our first (University Interscholastic League) varsity level cross country season, the introduction of six-man tackle football at the junior and high school level, and another competitive volleyball season,” Knapek said.

Programs are underway to get the incoming seventh through ninth grade athletes ready for competition, Coach Kyle Rinderknecht said.

“This summer, our new campus will be opening a weight room that is clean, current and filled with state-ofthe- art equipment that will be used to develop our student athletes for decades to come,” he said.

Rinderknecht and Coach Jacqueline Danek also said they are proud of the track and field team. Coupland School won the recent junior high district meet between Gause, Westphalia and Coupland.

Coupland School’s Teacher of the Month is Allison Grose, a third grade instructor. The Staff Member of the Month is Nikki Martinez.

ST. PETER’S CHURCH OF COUPLAND St. Peter’s Church of Coupland on April 11 hosted its second annual classic car show, held in front of the sanctuary at 108 Wathen Street.

The next Community Senior Luncheon is 11:30 a.m. May 19 with bingo and 42 dominoes. A $10 bingo prize is welcome, but not necessary.

St. Peter’s volunteers from 7:30-10:30 a.m. April 25 will distribute food at the Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry, 121 E. Second St. in Taylor.

“We will bag groceries and then distribute the food at curbside — no heavy lifting required,” said volunteer Charlotte Albert.

Administrative Professionals Day is April 22, and St. Peter’ is recognizing nineyear church secretary Barbara Coleman.

St. Peter’s sermons and special music are on the St. Peter’s Facebook page, facebook. com/stpeterscoupland. St. Peter’s monthly newsletter is at StPetersCoupland.org. The office phone number is 512-856-2433.

NEW SWEDEN LUTHERAN CHURCH

New Sweden Lutheran Church, 12809 New Sweden Church Road in Manor, celebrates its 150th anniversary April 26, beginning with a worship service at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch in the Parish Hall. At 1:30 p.m., there will be a monument dedication in front of the church, then an anniversary celebration at 2 p.m., with coffee and cookies in the Parish Hall afterwards.

Meal tickets for the lunch are $15 and can be purchased on Sundays or by contacting the church office at 512-281-0056 or newswedenchurch@ gmail. com.

The fifth annual Blessing of the Bicycles to support the cyclists who raise money for charities rolled out March 21.

New Sweden continues its free Homesteading/ Everyday Living classes. The March session featured Herman Buhrig with information on cellphone use.

For upcoming classes, plus other church news and events, visit www. newswedenchurch.org.

TYPE CHURCH

Type Church is improving its website, the Rev. Jeff Pekar said.

“We are excited to share that we are currently working on several enhancements to our website,” he added. “These new features are in development and will be available as soon as possible. Stay tuned for updates as we strive to improve your experience with our platform.”

The current site is typechurchetx.org/. The church is east of Coupland at 1200 CR 466.

LONE STAR POLOCROSSE CLUB Coupland’s Lone Star Polocrosse Club hosted the Jon Weber Easter Classic Polocrosse Tournament April 4 and April 5 at 6101 FM 1466 east of Coupland.

“Thanks to everyone who came to our tournament this year. We really appreciate you,” said Prissy Rumel, tournament coordinator. “We had some challenges with weather, but we made it work and got most of our games in.”

Rumel also was pleased with the attendance.

“We’ve never seen so many people on the sidelines,” she said. “Special thanks to T Bar M Hay for donating the best horse prizes.”

HUTTO — Eagle Scout candidate Elijah Carlyle is hoping to bring a forgotten piece of local history back to life by creating a memorial at a cemetery for 130 pioneering Black families.

The 15-year-old has chosen Shiloh Cemetery (sometimes spelled Shilo), 1043 CR 139, as his Eagle Scout service project, a requirement for Boy Scouts to attain the Eagle Scout rank.

“This cemetery holds deep significance for the community, and I want to ensure that the stories and lives of those resting there are honored and remembered,” Carlyle said.

The Hutto native has been involved in scouting for four years and is a member of Pflugerville Troop 685. He is a ninth grader at Hutto early College High School.

“I believe scouting is an opportunity for people to grow and be put into positions of leadership that will push them to become better formed people,” the teen said. “And I believe that the Eagle Scout project is a perfect opportunity for you to give back to your community in a way that a lot of youth don’t get the chance to.”

The cemetery dates to the 1800s and is maintained by the group Black Families of Hutto. Until they stepped in during 2020, the site was hidden by overgrown brush and illegally dumped trash and building supplies.

Now volunteers clean and maintain the grounds to show respect to the early settlers, enslaved people and World War I and II veterans resting there.

Carlyle heard of the community effort to preserve the burial ground and share its history during a Juneteenth celebration, which inspired him to design a memorial.

Black Families of Hutto applied to the Texas Historical Commission to be part of its “under-told” historical marker program in 2023, which would have provided a marker. The commission did not choose Shiloh for the program, so Carlyle decided to create a marker himself.

Melody Southall said the organization is excited to work with the Scout.

“I think (this effort) will live for a long time in Hutto, and hopefully children coming behind him and families coming behind him will be able to see this monument and the legacy that he’s building,” Southall said.

Carlyle’s project involves installing a memorial headstone that tells the cemetery’s history, creating a stone platform engraved with the names of those recorded as buried there, and placing a memorial bench for visitors to reflect and pay their respects. A sonar reading will ensure the installation is not placed on top of graves, since many of the original headstones were lost over time.

The project is expected to finish in three months at a cost of $3,000.

Carlyle said his parents Keith and Keizhia Carlyle have shown great support for the project.

“These places don’t get remembered a whole lot. A lot of it isn’t put in history books,” Keith Carlyle said. “And I think it’s very important to be told, so we don’t ever repeat it in the future. We’re really proud of (Elijah) for this.”

A GoFundMe page is under “Honoring Black Hutto Shiloh Cemetery.”

“

“I think (this effort) will live for a long time in Hutto.”

— Melody Southall

Two planned residential developments are heading back to the Planning & Zoning Commission for more finetuning after community members aired gripes about the projects at City Hall Thursday.

During the April 9 City Council session, neighboring property owners argued against high-density housing being inserted into their existing singlefamily housing neighborhoods.

In other developments during the session, the Police Department is getting more money to buy computer components.

Meanwhile, council members listened as critics of the infill developments expressed their concerns.

“If infill development is encouraged to match the character and surrounding development while allowing modest increases in density, then this plan is anything but that,” said Councilwoman Heather Long.

“

It’s not going to work.”

— Councilman Greg Redden One project is Trenton Village at Northwest Carlos G. Parker Boulevard and North Drive. The plan involves building 293 townhomes and 91,170 square feet of commercial and retail space on a 40-acre lot.

Long and some other council members said the vacant lot next to Hunters Run neighborhood would be more appropriate for single-family or duplex use.

The layout of the proposed development shows the townhomes would take up less than half of the 40 acres situated along the busy street frontage.

“It’s not going to work,” said Councilman Greg Redden.

Redden said streets are already congested and parking is an issue in the area.

Mayor Dwayne Ariola, who leaves office in May and spoke solely as a resident, lives near the proposed development and said he opposed the project in its current form.

“I don’t care for this density this close to my home, my neighbors,” Ariola said.

He mentioned that with about 5,000 apartments already in some phase of development, there is no pressing need for the project inside the city’s inner loop.

Representing the developer, Oscar Herrera said the community’s concerns would be addressed in future phases of the development process with the city.

Council denied the request for a special-use permit for the project, then urged the developer to make changes and appear again before the P&Z Commission.

A smaller development, an apartment building proposed for West Third Street, also prompted a strong outcry from neighbors. The developer for that project plans a three-story building with 21 units on a half-acre covering 1019 and 1021 W. Third St.

Neighbors said the building adds nothing to the neighborhood.

“There’s no sand volleyball courts, there’s no basketball courts, there’s no sidewalks. There’s nothing for the kids,” said David Williams. “I say that’s not healthy.”

Williams owns the home across the street from the planned building and came to the council meeting with a petition against the development signed by neighbors living within 200 feet of the project.

Ariola said the advent of high-density developments is one reason revisions are being made to the city’s comprehensive plan.

Officials said the advent of Samsung Austin Semiconductor and other local high-tech enterprises are drawing more workers to Taylor in search of housing.

Officers need more computer equipment Also at the meeting, the council was asked to approve an additional $27,000 to purchase computer servers for the Police Department, almost double the original budgeted amount of $29,170 approved in October.

City documents said additional funds are required due to unexpected cost increases identified by a supplier.

Causes for the cost increases include global parts shortages and greater demand for servers, storage and networking equipment worldwide.

It didn’t take long for new Taylor Police Chief Joseph Chacon to make a good impression on Mayor Dwayne Ariola.

Even if that impression came with a little hit.

“Joseph is an avid Texas Longhorns fan,” Ariola said. “I let him watch the last minute and 22 seconds on my phone during the Taylor Rodeo Association fundraiser and after (the University of) Texas won the game, he hits me on the arm. Later that night, I sent him a picture of Baylor Scott & White and another picture of me in an arm sling.”

Ariola told this story to a standing-room only crowd at the Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St., Wednesday afternoon during Chacon’s swear-in to take the oath as Taylor’s new chief of police.

The irony of the story Ariola told was Chacon warned him about letting him watch his beloved Longhorns.

“He was flipping his phone to check the score, and I told him I have a TV on my phone. He said, ‘No, no. I’m an avid, avid Texas fan. I can’t watch it because I don’t want to lose it,’” Ariola said. “I should’ve listened to the man. He gets pretty excited, so I’m just warning you.”

Chacon officially started his new position March 30. His swear-in was conducted by Williamson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Rhonda Redden.

Prior to becoming Taylor’s police chief, Chacon worked as the director of emergency services for Pflugerville for three years and the 31 years before that in law enforcement in El Paso and Austin, respectively.

After a six-year career in his native El Paso (199298), Chacon moved to Austin, where he served the next 25 years (19982023), including the final two as the capital city’s chief of police.

“When I heard that Joseph Chacon submitted his resume, I found it odd that he would go from a place that had a multimillion-dollar budget to a small budget,” Ariola said. “But he blew the residents and committees away and has been nothing but impressive. He’s a tremendous family man and Taylor’s excited to have him.”

Ariola also thanked Chacon for “throwing his name in the hat” for the top cop slot. He believes the new chief is the “right choice” for Taylor.

“We know what big cities need and we know where we’re headed,” Ariola said. “(Chacon) knows what to expect with growth and grants. I have no doubt that he is the right decision-maker.”

City Manager Brian LaBorde also addressed the audience prior to Chacon’s swear-in.

“Ceremonies like this remind us that public service is grounded in accountability and the trust placed in our leaders by the citizens of this community,” LaBorde said. “It’s also a moment to recognize the dedication of our officers, staff, family and stand behind the work of this department.”

Chacon takes over after Henry Fluck retired in September following 12 years as chief. The El Paso native was chosen from four applicants for the slot.

Officials said Taylor needs a chief ready to handle the demands of the future with the advent of the multibilliondollar Samsung Austin Semiconductor, a growing population and the city’s importance both on the U.S. and global stage.

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: “I’m a native Texan. I grew up in El Paso – born and raised. In 1992, I joined the El Paso Police Department and I worked there for six years. During that time, my wife and I visited Austin for some business stuff, and we really fell in love with Austin at that time. In 1998, they were recruiting, so we were able to make that transition, and I moved on to Austin PD in 1998 and worked there until 2023. I resigned from there after a 25-year career in Austin and six in El Paso for 31 years overall.” Q: What motivated you to get into law enforcement?

A: “When I talk to other officers, they tend to have a story about how they always wanted to be an officer. That was not me. I never thought about becoming a police officer. At the time, I was a night manager at a bowling center and we hired off-duty police officers as security. I was talking to them about careers, and they said, ‘Why don’t you look into becoming a police officer?’ That was literally the first time I thought about it, but as I started to look into it, it really started to excite me. As I graduated from the El Paso Police Academy and started doing the job, I thought, ‘This is the best job ever. I can’t believe I get paid to do this.’”

Q: What motivated you to apply for the chief’s position in Taylor?

A: “I retired in 2023 (as chief of the Austin Police Department) and was working in Pflugerville. But during that time, I had this longing in my heart to look into getting back in the profession because I really missed it. It was a bit serendipitous because I opened a website looking for what positions might be open, and the first thing that popped up was Taylor. That was really nice because my wife and I really love Taylor and I felt like it was the perfect opportunity.”

Q: What are the biggest differences between policing a big city such as Austin and a smaller town like Taylor?

A: “Police work is police work. We operate under the same set of laws and generally under the same set of policies. Even the ways we handle things from county to county are very similar. The biggest difference is going to be manpower and resources. Sometimes, the political climate can be different from city to city. What I have found here from Taylor is a great group of dedicated men and women who love this city and are dedicated to this city and policing here. It’s really nice to see that here.”

Q: What are your long-term plans for the Taylor Police Department?

A: “I have a number of vacancies – six – in the department. Right now, my No. 1 priority is getting those vacancies filled with good, quality folks. Once we do that, I think we need to be strategic and as the city grows, the department has to grow. Obviously, we need to do that within budget and we need to do that in a smart, intentional way. Let’s face it: Taylor is becoming a big city and the department is going to have to grow to manage that growth. We have a sworn-in staff of 34. We are hiring.”

Supporters: Site will add tax revenue

HUTTO — An overflow crowd at City Hall this past week raised concerns about a proposed Zydeco Development data center, but supporters argue the site will create financial opportunities for the town.

The two hours of discussion – with listeners filling the room and even lining the halls – took place at a Tuesday Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, with consideration for possible approval May 7 before the City Council.

Zydeco Development has applied for a zoning change and land-use plan

“

Not all data centers are created equal.”

— Wes Gilmer, Zydeco Development to build a data center on 40 acres at 450 Ed Schmidt Blvd.

“This is an opportunity for the city of Hutto to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in taxable value by taking the existing infrastructure on an otherwise very constrained and restricted site,” said Wes Gilmer, principal with Zydeco Development.

Councilman Peter Gordon said after careful consideration he feels the data center is a better use of the land than a previous proposal, which involved a multifamily development.

“I compared the site proposal from the previous developer to the one from the data center developer,” Gordon said in a social-media post. “In all four categories, the data center would deliver...better than the other project.”

Gilmer said the proposed data center would be a mid-sized facility using no more than 70 megawatts of power and avoiding some issues found with the larger data center complexes.

Zydeco Development was responsible for the MetCenter, Austin’s largest master-planned business park and home to the largest concentration of data center facilities in Central Texas, according to Gilmer’s presentation.

Data centers from Taylor to Temple, with some estimating as many as 60 in Central Texas, have become lightning rods for controversy as critics worry about potential pollution and noise, dwindling water and electrical resources and claims of ill effects from concentrated power sources.

Gilmer downplayed some of those fears.

“Not all data centers are created equal. What we’re proposing tonight is designed to be a lowimpact thoughtful neighbor with minimal burden on city utilities,” he said.

Supporters say data centers provide construction jobs and, later, improved data security, high-speed connections and enhance artificialintelligence applications, streaming and cloud computing.

The Zydeco principal described the proposed data center as a preferable option for the community because the land was previously approved for a 173-unit multifamily development with retail, office and restaurant space.

That use would have increased traffic and been a larger draw on local resources than the data center, he suggested.

Gilmer said large utility poles that may have helped curtail investor interest in the multifamily project made it ideal for the data center, signifying a large availability of power However, many of the speakers Tuesday during the public-input session worried about the quality of life for those living within 600 feet of the data center.

“Do we really believe we’re offering the highest quality of life for these (schoolchildren) by putting a data center right next to them?” asked resident Nick Clark.

Sandra Ross, who said her house faces Schmidt, told officials approving the project means she will have to stare at it through her living-room window, changing the character of her neighborhood.

Many urged the city to not value tax revenue over residents.

“Tax revenue alone is not the measure of a healthy community,” said Joseph Cortez.

Zydeco is asking the city to change the zoning to heavy industrial, to allow for rezoning for the data center.

Gordon said if residents gather all the facts and sentiment is still not in favor of the data center, he will take that into consideration when it comes to council on May 7.

P&Z Commission Chair Rick Hudson said another public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 20 at City Hall, 500 W. Live Oak St.

GRANGER — Assessing potential damages from 7 million gallons of water including sewage leaking under the town’s newest campus will cost up to $70,000, school board members heard.

The bad news is just the latest in a string of water woes plaguing Granger Secondary School, which saw an August opening delayed until March because of waterline issues including several attempts to tunnel under railroad tracks and connect to the school.

The 7 million gallons of water, including wastewater, that leaked under the new, $44 million campus was discovered by the city during the school’s first water-meter reading, the Granger Independent School District board learned Wednesday.

Trustees approved using a portion of remaining 2022 bond money to monitor the foundation and assess a sanitary sewer leak at a cost of about $70,000.

While Superintendent Stephen Brosch said it is a good idea to examine the foundation, he is more concerned about raw sewage pooling under the campus, which serves seventh to 12th grade students.

“I think we specifically need to look at the sewer and sanitation aspect of (the leak),” Brosch said.

Berry & Clay Construction, the company that built the school, has said it is not liable for the leaks. The company, however, sent father-andson team Ed and Aaron Mullins of Project Control to present options the district may need to take to prevent future damage to the multimillion-dollar school.

Aaron Mullins called the loss of 7 million gallons of water significant and urged the district to be proactive.

“The sooner you tackle the issues the better. It would be a good thing to stay ahead of it,” he said.

Mullins proposed a timeline for different foundation and sewer tests and associated costs.

Ed Mullins recommended the district commission a baseline test on the foundation as soon as possible with an interim test set before the end of the year.

Trustees approved the baseline testing but have yet to decide if an examination of the foundation is necessary.

The next school board meeting is 6:30 p.m. May 13 in the board room at 300 N. Colorado St.

John Turnbull, 53, was last seen around 11 a.m. Monday, April 7 leaving his residence in a 2015 Ford F150 pickup truck. The truck has a Texas license plate number of JWT 9296.

Turnbull is a white male with measurements of 6 feet, 2 inches and 300 lbs. He has brown hair and blue eyes. 

Anyone with information on Turnbull's whereabouts is encouraged to call the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 512-943-1300 or 512-864-8282. Turnbull was last seen wearing a red and grey long-sleeved shirt, grey shorts and black shoes. 

Technology updates for the Taylor Independent School District could go online for the 2026-27 academic year with new computers on the way for students and teachers.

Technology director Jamie Sellers called the upgrades a “refresh proposal” during a presentation to trustees at the Monday school board meeting.

Trustees will vote in April on the plan.

“(It’s a) districtwide device refresh with (Apple) MacBook Neo for teachers and grades three to 12 and iPads for prekindergarten through second grade,” Sellers said March 30.

Using a slideshow, Sellers noted the schools’ aging computers perform slower and experience more frequent failures, which in turn disrupt studies in the classroom and add to the workload of the the information technology department to fix the computers.

Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen said the new computers are part of the Educators Preparation Program.

“We want to make sure we get on a refresh cycle so every year we’re planning for the next five to 10 years budget-wise, so we know what expenses, such as new computers, are coming up,” Garcia- Edwardsen said.

A survey sent across the district indicated more than 80% of the respondents requested Apple Inc. products such as the Apple MacBook or iPad.

Normally, these would be too expensive, Garcia-Edwardsen noted, but in the last two weeks Apple recently came out with a new, more affordable MacBook.

Meanwhile, Taylor ISD will also receive an influx of funding from a buyback program offering to purchase the district’s used computers for $325,000 to $500,000.

“Expect about $400,000. It’s going to come in somewhere in the middle,” Sellers said of the buyback amount.

Sellers will return to the April school board meeting with updated financial information from both the buyback program and Apple for the purchase of the new devices. The board will then decide whether to support the initiative.

Trustees also heard a presentation from Dale Shumaker, vice president of strategic partnerships with Diamond Communications.

Taylor High School has spotty phone and internet connections, so Diamond Communications is installing a new communication tower near the campus to improve access. However, it will not be operational until sometime in 2027.

“Diamond is working with (the Texas Association of School Boards) to bring connectivity to schools,” Shumaker said.

Once the tower is working, Shumaker said it will provide coverage not just for the high school but about two miles around the area into nearby neighborhoods.

Shumaker said several carriers are already interested in using the district’s tower.

“They are aware of the potential for growth and want to get involved in the area now,” Shumaker said.

The next school board meeting is 7 p.m. April 20 in the Taylor ISD boardroom, 3101 N. Main St.

HUTTO — The number of disciplinary cases involving students is dropping in the Hutto Independent School District, officials report.

Kyle Ruggirello, director of student support and intervention, told trustees during the March 26 school board meeting “restorative” measures, not punitive sanctions, are helping turn things around.

“For the first time in several years, we can say discipline is getting better,” Ruggirello said.

Charting August to February of the 2024-25 school year, Hutto’s discipline referral numbers registered more than 40%, but for the same period this school year those numbers dropped to 20%, Ruggirello said.

At Hutto High School, the biggest disciplinary issues have been possession of THC — hemp plant resin that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana — and physical altercations, educators said.

Ruggirello said both have decreased drastically.

Last year, the district had 143 referrals for fighting, “but this year we’re down to 58,” she added.

New training for teachers and staff has shifted discipline measures from less punitive to what Ruggirello described as “restorative.” “That doesn’t mean we’re not holding students accountable (for their actions). Restorative means accountability with dignity,” Ruggirello said.

She explained restorative measures include students learning to rectify a situation, such as apologizing to teachers or classmates. “Seeing the numbers go down is encouraging,” said board Vice President Felix Chavez.

Board President Amy English agreed, but added, “I want to make sure that the district is helping students, not just striving for better numbers while the behaviors are still there.”

Ruggirello said the district had areas where it could improve, but she and Superintendent Jeni Neatherlin assured English the goal is not about the numbers but taking care of the learners.

Hutto ISD’s strategic and district improvement plans include the belief students will be more academically successful if their physical, mental, social, emotional and behavioral health needs are met, Ruggirello said.

School board meetings are held in the Administration Building Board Room at 200 College St. The next meeting is April 23.

The board holds a closed session at 6 p.m., followed by an open forum about an hour later.

Sessions can be streamed live or watched later at huttoisdtx. new. swagit. com/videos.

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“I want to make sure that the district is helping students, not just striving for better numbers while the behaviors are still there.”

— Amy English, Hutto ISD school board

Bond funding is paying for upgrades to the football stadium, including new lighting and seating, extended bleachers and handicap ramps.

“Everything should be put in place by May 4 … It’s a tight timeline and there’s not a whole lot of room for error, but it’s what we’re looking at right now,” district business manager Blake Schneider told school board members Wednesday.

In addition, a preschool program aimed at caring for the 2- and 3-year-old children of teachers and staff should open this year, director of programs Jolena Pokorny said.

Already, six 2-year-olds are signed up.

In the future, the program could accept babies.

“The licensing for babies is a much more in-depth process,” Pokorny said.

Superintendent Tommy Hooker said the program is another way to retain teachers and staff, but he urged caution.

“We need to take literally baby steps to grow this (program),” Hooker said.

In other business, Thrall ISD has ordered three new school buses that will be ready in May, and trustees approved purchasing a new truck for the high school’s agriculture department.

The current truck shares duties by pulling the band trailer.

Thrall ISD meets the third Wednesday of each month unless otherwise posted.

The next meeting is 6:30 p.m. April 15 at 601 S. Bounds St.

PRACTICING DEMOCRACY

The county's GOP made the announcement on social media Saturday morning. 

"We listened to your feedback, frustrations and anger. We heard you loud and clear. On May 26, voters will be able to vote at any polling location in the county," Williamson County GOP said in the social media statement. 

More on this story can be seen in the March 25 E edition. 

Garrett Wise, 33, was taken into custody Thursday in connection with the death of 30-year-old Jensen Anders, 30. The U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force contributed to this investigation and arrest.

Williamson County Sheriffs investigated Anders' death, which took place on March 15, 2025. Anders' body was found at a residence on County Road 433 in Thrall.

Based on the investigation, Wise reportedly distributed lethal fentanyl to Anders. After issuing a warrant for his arrest, Wise was found to be in possession of fentanyl.

The extra money, which comes from bond interest, will go towards the school’s multipurpose building at CR 460. The amount rose from almost $350,000 to slightly more than $500,000.

“Why is this so much more than we thought?” said trustee Tessa Strider during a meeting Thursday of the Coupland Independent School District.

The original estimate the district received for the building basically only included the shell, Superintendent Ed Parcell explained.

“The number we got didn’t include all the details. It was literally the concrete and the metal building. No insulation, no cable, no air conditioning,” Parcell said.

Weaver and Jacobs Constructors Inc. is building the new school, expected to open in August. Project manager Randy Boone said construction is on time.

Meanwhile, much of the discussion at the March 12 meeting centered on finances in general.

Prior to the regular school board session, an open budget workshop was held. Parcell wanted to go over the district’s finances with trustees before determining the actual budget in a few months.

“We’re not talking budget today, really, we’re just going to get the understanding of the fundamentals of where our revenue comes from,” Parcell said.

The superintendent and the elected representatives discussed variables factoring into the budget, such as student attendance — which affects disbursements from the state — and property taxes.

Meanwhile, the district is still short one school board member to replace Royce Hatch, who resigned.

Marcia Buffington recently was appointed to fill another open seat. For more information about serving on the school board, call 512-856-2422 or visit couplandisd.org/ page/school- board.

The next meeting is 6 p.m. April 9 in the school library at 620 S. Commerce St.

If you’re curious about Taylor history and some of the folks who put the town on the map, then “Tales of Taylor” should be right up your alley.

A panel of speakers at the Moody Museum, 114 W. Ninth St., will share historic stories of Taylor and the people who helped shape the community 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19.

The presentation is free. Ed Komandosky, Commander Joseph Branson of the Taylor Police Department, Ted Aanstoos and Janetta McCoy will cover topics including a legendary police chief, prominent families, early economics and political power in Taylor.

“It’s always good to find out about the past — to walk in other’s footsteps. Taylor is rich in history,” said Marcie Svatek, a museum docent.

While these tales of yore coincide with the city’s Sesquicentennial Celebration programming, museum board Chairwoman Susan Komandosky said, “This is part of an ongoing series we have been doing at the museum for several years. They dropped by the wayside post-pandemic, but we’re trying to get them restarted.”

The event will be posted on YouTube @ MoodyMuseum.

The museum is the former home of Dan Moody, a Taylor native and the youngest governor of Texas.

HUTTO — Officials with a proposed data center are suggesting a deal with Hutto in which the developer will provide benefits in return for city wastewater services.

No action was taken by the City Council during a presentation March 12 by representatives from Iron Mountain Data Centers, though members on the dais were intrigued by the company’s offer of incentives, noting developers usually come asking for those rather than offering them.

City Manager James Earp said he could think of several capital projects the developer could sponsor.

He plans to look into the legality of Iron Mountain making some type of payment to the city that could be used for debt service and lower tax or utility rates for residents.

“It’s not going to be just come and sponsor a picnic. It’s going to be something substantial for us to be willing, because if you were in the city, you would be paying full freight on property taxes,” Earp said.

Iron Mountain owns more than 30 data centers on three continents. According to its website, ironmountain.com, it operates 12 in the U.S.

The Williamson County facility would be its first in Texas and could take three years to complete.

“

“It’s not going to be just come and sponsor a picnic.”

— Hutto City Manager James Earp Steven Walton, director of site selection for Iron Mountain, said the 500-acre site on CR 404 just south of Samsung Austin Semiconductor is in Taylor’s extraterritorial jurisdiction but is not in anyone’s sewer service territory.

He said the facility does not intend to annex into any city, so it will not benefit Taylor nor Hutto through city taxes.

A planned development in the area will already be receiving wastewater services from Hutto, and the data center wants to have access as well, officials indicated.

“Data centers are not popular with the people, for the large part,” Mayor Pro Tem Dan Thornton told Walton. “When we get property tax out of it and we can make the case that we’re making a good decision for the financial future of the city, then we can make that case for the public and it makes sense.”

He added, “When we’re not getting that, I’m having a hard time making that case … that it’s a good thing to go out of our way to provide the service.”

The proposed facility will have seven data center buildings, an electric substation, an electric utility yard and a retention pond. The developer plans to use a recycling closed-loop water system for cooling to minimize water usage.

Iron Mountain would be the second data center planned for the corridor surrounding Samsung.

In November, developer KDR announced a 210-acre lot at 1051 CR 401 would be home to a data center known so far only as Project Comal.

Walton said while there was a lot of misinformation about data centers, there were also some reasonable concerns and that was why he was approaching the issue through an offer of incentives to Hutto.

The 500-acre site will take up part of a tract that was already approved for a residential project known as Taylor Meadows Development.

The Taylor Meadows developer will now build a smaller residential subdivision on the remainder of the tract.

Hutto had already agreed to provide sanitary sewer services to Taylor Meadows. The decrease in the number of residences will mean an overall drop in the volume of wastewater service needed, even with the development of the data center, officials said.

Recently, data centers have been in the news because of the large amount of power needed to operate them, and the costs of infrastructure which are passed on from an electric company to residents as capabilities are upgraded.

“Iron Mountain has made a significant capital investment in terms of a letter of credit to (Oncor Electric Delivery) and we’re in ongoing discussions which will bring addition capital expenditures to build up the infrastructure and for the purchase of power from Oncor,” Walton said.

The award-winning pieces are now featured in the silent and live auctions at the Rodeo Austin Fairgrounds, 9100 Decker Lane in Austin, in the Exhibit Hall through March 28.

The pupils, who are mentored by technology teacher Christina Strnad, include junior JoHannah Valchar, sophomore Rebekah Laurence, sophomore Kaylie Slough and sophomore Demarie Larson-Brooks.

Larson-Brooks won Reserve Champion Digital Art and is one of only eight artists to be featured in the live auction on March 28.

“I feel like the colors in my saddle bronc picture brought it to life,” Larson-Brooks said.

She took the photograph at the Williamson County Rodeo in Taylor and transformed it with Photoshop.

“The original picture had a lot of action and I liked the way the horse was high off the ground. In Photoshop, I experimented with different colors and sketch effects. The hardest part was to get the details in his face,” Larson-Brooks said.

The artwork of the other three Thrall competitors earning ribbons is available to bidders on Rodeo Austin’s silent auction platform givesmart. com.

GEORGETOWN - Gripes about Election Day missteps and calls for the dismissal of Williamson County Elections Administrator Bridgette Escobedo dominated Tuesday’s often heated Commissioners Court session.

Because the items were not listed on the posted agenda, commissioners by law could not take any action, but members on the dais promised speakers their grievances over the March 3 party primaries are not being forgotten.

“I understand your concerns, but our election administrator is not on the agenda,” said County Judge Steven Snell, who became visibly irritated as some speakers raised their voices and interrupted commissioners.

The next meeting is set for March 24, with Escobedo and Republican and Democratic party chairs Michelle Evans and Kim Gilby, respectively, asked to attend.

The controversy stems from not only changing assigned precincts on Election Day over countywide voting but also making polling locations party-specific instead of open to all voters.

The decision, prompted by the GOP but agreed to by the Democrats, has set the stage for Texas Supreme Court action after a state district judge ordered polling places in Georgetown to remain open after the 7 p.m. cutoff March 3.

GOP officials have argued they were trying to protect voter integrity at the ballot box.

In Williamson County, officials have already said they will return to countywide voting for the Nov. 3 midterm election.

During the March 10 commissioners meeting, speakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties lined up to voice their concerns about the polling process on March 3, ask for nonpayment of election equipment, call for the firing of Escobedo and point fingers at each other. In addition, several residents made claims of unlawful actions at some polling locations.

Snell had to interrupt several speakers and a woman was removed by a sheriff’s deputy.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles at the end of the March 10 session said he would invite Escobedo, Evans and Gilby to attend the next Commissioners Court.

He thanked all the speakers, including election workers.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the court heard from Taylor resident Jose Orta, who has been a poll worker since 1996. He described the chaos he witnessed at a polling site at Taylor City Hall, which has been a voting location for both parties for more than 10 years.

“We had a share of irate voters, both Republican and Democrat, who were turned away (from City Hall),” Orta said.

For the primaries, Taylor City Hall was a Democratic Party voting site for five precincts made up of parts of Hutto, Coupland, Elgin, Pflugerville and south Taylor.

GOP voters were directed to other nearby locales to cast their ballots. Many at the time expressed anger at not being able to vote at the traditional City Hall polling site, and some claimed they did not receive notice about the change.

Orta encouraged the commissioners and party chairs to return to countywide voting to prevent further confusion.

Snell wrapped up Tuesday’s court session reminding residents to follow the proper decorum for making public comments and addressing commissioners, even if those observations are critical.

“I had to cut some people short today…I want everybody to be able to speak if they want to let us have it, if they want to hold us accountable, if they want to criticize. It’s part of the process,” Snell said.

Snell added he was looking forward to discussing the election process at the next meeting.

The session March 24 is at 9:30 a.m. at 710 S. Main St.

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

COUPLAND — Coupland junior high and high school students chose their elective classes for the 2026-27 school year at a Registration Celebration, March 4, hosted by the Coupland Independent School District.

Coupland ISD wanted the event to have a party-like atmosphere to celebrate the first group of students to attend the new Coupland Junior High and High School, CR 460, this August. The district served pizza, offered a “signing-day” photo op and sold merchandise with the new school logo.

HUTTO — Hutto Lake Park’s playground will become the first city recreational area designed specifically to meet autismfriendly standards, officials announced.

At its Thursday meeting, City Council approved purchasing $222,792 in playground equipment to rebuild the park, which is scheduled to be completed in August, at 805 Estate Drive.

In other business, the council discussed hiring law firms to represent the city in two multimillion-dollar lawsuits involving disputed contracts.

In the matter of the playground, city officials said the overall cost of rebuilding is budgeted at $411,600. The new playscape is being crafted by MWM Design Group.

Bids for a general contractor for the project are being sought.

“You need the playground equipment near the first of the project. If you don’t have it near the first of the project it’s going to delay it,” said Councilman Peter Gordon.

He noted it was part of the city’s commitment to cut down on missed project deadlines. The city has had to extend the timeline for the design phase by nearly four months, because the original project scope did not include Certified Autism Center criteria.

Interim City Engineer Patricia Davis recommended buying the equipment in advance because lead times can vary depending on when products are ordered.

Hutto received its Certified Autism Center designation in 2025. This will be the first project the city is designing with that certification in mind.

The specialized equipment will include a sensory tunnel, interactive play panels and a specially designed spinning chair, among other things. The park will also include standard playscape elements such as slides and climbing structures.

Lawsuit attorneys named

The council adjourned to executive session to receive legal advice on a handful of issues including a pair of lawsuits involving the city.

After reconvening in open session, the council approved hiring Hyde Kelley LLP to represent the city in a suit filed by former City Manager Odis Jones now assigned to to a federal district court in Austin.

In October 2025, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans dismissed a civil-rights claim brought by Jones but maintained a breach of contract claim awarding Jones $4.5 million plus attorney fees.

The case has been remanded to the district court for final settlement.

Meanwhile, the council took no action regarding hiring Hyde Kelley LLP to represent the city and the Hutto Economic Development Corp. in a civil action brought by Midway Development Group in the 334th state District Court in Houston.

Midway filed a $300 million lawsuit in February against the EDC, the mayor, real estate investment company Terra Halona LLC and its president Joel Scott lodging claims of bribery, civil conspiracy and breach of contract.

Midway was engaged to develop Cottonwood Properties in Hutto, but the contract was terminated by the EDC in October 2025.

The plaintiff is asking for a jury trial.

Look once, twice •— geocachers will be everywhere.

That’s probably how people driving through Taylor will feel during the next five days.

The Texas Geocaching Association is hosting its 24th annual Texas Challenge & Geocaching Festival Wednesday through Sunday in Taylor and the surrounding area.

“Taylor is the perfect size. There’s not too much traffic and there are plenty of restaurants and hotels,” said Mollie Ward, event coordinator.

“We like to have it in smaller towns because it’s tougher to geocache in big cities because of traffic.”

Geocaching involves the use of GPS coordinates to find a geocache, which is usually a marker or a container. Within that object, there is a sheet of paper that geocachers must sign and put back into the marker or container for the next person to sign.

Ward expects 300-500 people to participate in the event.

The small-town atmosphere seems to be a trend with the Texas Geocaching Association. Previous cities where the challenge took place included Bastrop, Cisco, Conroe, Floresville, Lubbock, Tyler and Wichita Falls.

There are six geocaching regions – central, east, north, south, southeast and west. The Central Texas region hosted the event in March 2020 in Bastrop.

“That was around the time when the COVID-19 pandemic happened,” Ward said. “We had our event that Saturday and the world shut down the next day.”

Taylor’s challenge is 6-7:30 p.m. March 11 at the Texan Café, 105 E. Third St., with the next gathering from 8-9:30 a.m. Thursday at Lamppost Coffee, 809 S. Main St., Georgetown.

The following geocaching contest is 1:303:30 p.m. Thursday at Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin.

The Thursday evening gathering is 6-8 p.m. at Plowman’s Kitchen, 305 W. Ninth St. in Taylor.

Friday’s events begin at 8 a.m. at the Williamson County Expo Center, 5300 Bill Pickett Trail in Taylor with registration and setup.

On Friday, the TXGA Hall of Fame Induction ceremony is 4-6 p.m., with dinner to follow at Louie Mueller Barbecue, 206 W. Second St. in Taylor, from 6-8 p.m.

Saturday’s festivities begin at 7 a.m. with the team competition and conclude at the Cotton Country Club Dance Hall, 212 E. Davila St., Granger.

Sunday’s event will be a community-service project at Fannie Robinson Park, 1009 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Taylor.

For more, visit texasgeocaching. com/

texas- challenge.

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“We like to have it in smaller towns.”

-- Mollie Ward, Texas Geocaching Association

HUTTO — The city continues to focus on its core infrastructure needs while addressing qualityof- life issues and business development, Mayor Mike Snyder said at the recent “State of the City” address.

The event March 3 at the Hutto YMCA, 200 Alliance Blvd., featured highlights from the city’s latest achievements as well as challenges brought about by fast residential and industrial growth, including several departures from City Hall jobs.

“What’s the impact? I think you all know the impact: road congestion and an increase in demand on services,” Snyder said. “We’ll continue to focus on street improvement. And you can’t just build a city and then forget about the social aspect.”

City leaders at the address pointed to the community’s ongoing struggle with U.S. 79 traffic congestion and discolored tap water.

Another top priority is wastewater, the officials said. Balancing these infrastructure needs with the city’s ability to pay for the necessary infrastructure is a challenge.

“We need to have the capacity to grow, but if we have too much capacity then everybody here is paying for it,” said Mayor Pro Tem Dan Thornton.

The event was organized by the nonprofit The Hippo Foundation and hosted by the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the Downtown Hutto Business Association.

'We'll continue to focus on street improvement.'

- Mayor Mike Snyder One of the recurring themes for what Snyder and other City Council members have referred to as “The Year of the Road” is the number of delays in recent transportation projects.

The city recently decided to limit the number of new capital improvement projects because of a staffing issue.

The question was brought up during a panel discussion featuring Snyder, City Manager James Earp and Thornton.

Earp told the audience in the last 60 days the Development Services Department lost its director, the city engineer, capitalimprovement projects engineer, planning manager and chief building officer due to the employees resigning to take other jobs.

They’ve also lost some inspectors and other staff.

“It’s unfortunate for us to lose people like that. We need to be mindful of keeping track of where the market is,” Earp said.

Snyder said the exodus was a natural result of a low unemployment rate causing higher competition in top jobs, as well as private companies paying more than public entities.