Residents question tax increases, data‑center benefits and debt at Round Rock hearing

During the public hearing on the proposed tax rate, two citizens challenged the city's fiscal assumptions and debt plans.

Justin Tankersley told council he was disappointed that promised data‑center revenue had not prevented a tax‑rate increase and said residents appear to be left to shoulder costs for utility and tax increases. "I obviously don't think that we need to increase our taxes," he said. Gary Oldham criticized increasing debt levels tied to park projects and asserted the city failed to invoice a private data‑center operator for $250,000 in equipment damage following a battery storage incident; he said the failure to invoice contravened a city ordinance and amounted to a taxpayer subsidy.

Council accepted the public testimony and proceeded to a motion to adopt the tax rate; staff and council did not provide on‑the‑record responses to Oldham’s specific invoicing allegation during the meeting.