It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Lions Foundation Park gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Liberty Hill, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lions Foundation Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Bella Sera Liberty Hill or visit Fort Tumbleweed, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Liberty Hill, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Liberty Hill, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Liberty Hill, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The 2025 Texas high school football season rolls on with a marquee non-conference matchup as the Steele Knights (Cibolo, TX) travel to face the Liberty Hill Panthers (TX) on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 7:30 PM. Both teams are perennial playoff contenders and will look to begin their season with a statement under the Friday night lights.Steele KnightsThe Steele Knights come into 2025 ranked ...
The 2025 Texas high school football season rolls on with a marquee non-conference matchup as the Steele Knights (Cibolo, TX) travel to face the Liberty Hill Panthers (TX) on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 7:30 PM. Both teams are perennial playoff contenders and will look to begin their season with a statement under the Friday night lights.
The Steele Knights come into 2025 ranked #26 in Texas and #185 nationally, marking them as one of the state’s top programs. Known for their fast-paced offense and physical defense, Steele will try to control tempo and prevent Liberty Hill from establishing their trademark ground game.
Main Squad:
The Liberty Hill Panthers enter 2025 ranked #141 in Texas and #897 nationally. Famous for their slot-T offense and physical style of play, the Panthers will look to grind down Steele with ball control and consistent scoring drives.
Main Squad:
| Team | National Rank | State Rank | Overall Record | Home | Away | Win % | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steele | #185 | #26 (TX) | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
| Liberty Hill | #897 | #141 (TX) | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Liberty Hill ISD starts the year with a hybrid four-day school week to address budget cuts and staffing shortages.LIBERTY HILL, Texas — The new school year begins Tuesday for students in Liberty Hill Independent School District, and with it comes a major change: a shift to a hybrid four-day school week.The district's decision to alter its calendar is part of a broader trend among Texas school districts seeking to cut costs and address staffing challenges. Liberty Hill ISD is starting the year with 70 unfilled positions an...
Liberty Hill ISD starts the year with a hybrid four-day school week to address budget cuts and staffing shortages.
LIBERTY HILL, Texas — The new school year begins Tuesday for students in Liberty Hill Independent School District, and with it comes a major change: a shift to a hybrid four-day school week.
The district's decision to alter its calendar is part of a broader trend among Texas school districts seeking to cut costs and address staffing challenges. Liberty Hill ISD is starting the year with 70 unfilled positions and a $6.3 million budget reduction.
The district is calling it a ‘hybrid schedule.’ This means that some months, the district will have a regular five-day school week and other months, they will have four-day school weeks.
Earlier this year, the Liberty Hill ISD school board approved the change as a cost-saving measure. Interim Superintendent Travis Motal said the hybrid schedule will help educators manage their workloads and better support students.
“I think right now, time is that precious resource we never have enough of,” said Motal. "And so knowing that they're going to have more time to get ready for the kids, prepare for the kids, provide support for their kids, individualized instruction, individualized behavioral support... I think, is what they're most excited about.”
To help families navigate the new schedule, the district is providing updates and calendar reminders through multiple communication platforms, including its newsletter and official website.
While district officials are hopeful about the benefits, some parents are raising concerns—particularly around child care on days when school is not in session.
“Every year we reevaluate the calendar for what's best. And so we'll go through this fall semester. We'll get feedback from our staff, feedback from our parents, feedback from our community. And then the board will take action on the calendar for the following school year at the beginning of the spring semester.”
To support staff members, the district is offering in-house child care through a program called “Panther Care.”
For other families, the YMCA is currently providing Friday care for school-aged children, and the district is working to establish additional local partnerships.
Liberty Hill ISD officials said they will continue to assess the impact of the hybrid schedule throughout the school year before deciding on its long-term future.
LIBERTY HILL, Texas, Aug. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NYSE:TOL), the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes, has unveiled three new collections of luxury homes in the Eldorado neighborhood within , a prestigious master-planned community located in Liberty Hill, Texas. The Maravilla, Sierra, and Tesoro Collections at Santa Rita Ranch will be available for sale starting in fall 2025.The Maravilla Collection features thoughtfully designed homes ranging from 2,238 to 3,116 square feet on 50-foot-wide home sites, with anticipate...
LIBERTY HILL, Texas, Aug. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NYSE:TOL), the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes, has unveiled three new collections of luxury homes in the Eldorado neighborhood within , a prestigious master-planned community located in Liberty Hill, Texas. The Maravilla, Sierra, and Tesoro Collections at Santa Rita Ranch will be available for sale starting in fall 2025.
The Maravilla Collection features thoughtfully designed homes ranging from 2,238 to 3,116 square feet on 50-foot-wide home sites, with anticipated starting prices from the low $600,000s. The Sierra Collection offers spacious homes from 2,857 to 3,899 square feet on 60-foot-wide home sites, starting from the low $700,000s. The Tesoro Collection presents expansive homes ranging from 3,292 to 4,700 square feet on 70-foot-wide home sites, with starting prices anticipated from the low $800,000s.
Toll Brothers customers will experience one-stop shopping at the . The state-of-the-art Design Studio allows customers to choose from a wide array of selections to personalize their dream home with the assistance of Toll Brothers professional Design Consultants.
“We are excited to expand our offerings in Santa Rita Ranch with three new home collections, providing home shoppers with more options for luxury living in this highly sought-after community,” said Brandon Cooper, Division President of Toll Brothers in Austin. “This new phase will offer spectacular views and access to the outstanding amenities that make the award-winning Santa Rita Ranch master plan such a desirable place to live.”
Santa Rita Ranch features an array of luxury amenities, including six resort-style pools, water slides, splash pads, playgrounds, pickleball courts, the Wellness Barn fitness center, and extensive parks and nature trails. The community is recognized for its exceptional lifestyle programs and has received numerous awards, including Best of the Best Amenities in the Austin Area from the Austin American-Statesman, and multiple Community of the Year awards from the Austin Business Journal and the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin.
The Sales Center is located at 528 Exploration Circle in Liberty Hill, Texas. For more information on Santa Rita Ranch and Toll Brothers communities throughout Austin, call (833) 405-8655 or visit .
About Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded 58 years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TOL.” The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. Toll Brothers builds in over 60 markets in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, smart home technology, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also develops master-planned and golf course communities as well as operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations.
Toll Brothers has been one of Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Companies™ for 10+ years in a row, and in 2024 the Company's Chairman and CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. was named one of 25 Top CEOs by Barron's magazine. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit .
From Fortune, ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.
Contact: Andrea Meck | Toll Brothers, Senior Director, Public Relations & Social Media | 215-938-8169 | [email protected]
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09198ef9-2ede-446e-8fd7-246ab3a96c23
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7798de2-ef63-4b89-bfbf-f0d4ef6a6b44
Sent by Toll Brothers via Regional Globe Newswire (TOLL-REG)
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect compression to the district's tax rate from the state in FY 2025-26.Liberty Hill ISD officials are discussing calling a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, in November to generate more revenue for the district.The district posted a notice for a public meeting Aug. 18 to adopt a proposed tax rate of $1.2389 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2025-26.Additionally, the LHISD board of trustees approved the final portion of the district’s 2025-26 c...
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect compression to the district's tax rate from the state in FY 2025-26.
Liberty Hill ISD officials are discussing calling a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, in November to generate more revenue for the district.
The district posted a notice for a public meeting Aug. 18 to adopt a proposed tax rate of $1.2389 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2025-26.
Additionally, the LHISD board of trustees approved the final portion of the district’s 2025-26 compensation plan, including raises for support staff, central office employees and substitutes, at an Aug. 4 special meeting.
What’s happening
LHISD could generate an additional $9.8 million in property tax collections if voters approve adding 12 pennies to the district’s tax rate, Chief Financial Officer Rosanna Guerrero said at an Aug. 4 meeting.
This would raise LHISD’s proposed tax rate to $1.2389 per $100 valuation, which is around a $0.07 increase from the FY 2024-25 tax rate. The state is expected to compress the district’s FY 2024-25 tax rate of $1.1669 per $100 valuation by around $0.05 in FY 2025-26, Guerrero said.
Under the proposed tax rate, LHISD could adopt a $10.5 million surplus for its FY 2025-26 budget after making a $1.5 million recapture payment to the state. LHISD officials could then decide where to allocate these additional funds, Guerrero said.
"We have teachers that can't pay their bills," trustee Kristi Hargrove said at a July 21 meeting. "We have to make sure that we're taking care of the people that are taking care of our kids. ... My taxes could possibly go up, but our kids are worth it."
Without calling a VATRE, the district is projected to face a nearly $400,000 budget shortfall in FY 2025-26, Guerrero said.
“We are 100% going out for a VATRE,” trustee Kendall Carter said July 21. “It's just a matter of how much we ask for.”
The impact
In November, voters will decide whether to approve increasing the statewide homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000. If approved, a homeowner with a median home value of $469,557 would pay $237 less in property taxes in FY 2025-26 despite the tax rate increasing to nearly $1.24.
If property values increase by 10%, homeowners with a median home value of $516,513 would pay an additional $345 in property taxes under the same tax rate, according to LHISD information.
“The school district cannot control what the value of those properties are,” Guerrero said. “Even though the tax rate historically has been decreased by $0.37 [since 2018], the community may not see it or feel it because their values are going up so much.”
What else?
At the Aug. 4 meeting, the board approved providing 2% raises for nearly 500 support staff and central office employees totaling $392,209. Those costs will be offset by $384,463 in new state funding through House Bill 2’s support staff retention allotment.
The district will spend $54,811 in local funding to provide raises for central office staff and $55,000 to raise the daily pay rate for substitutes by $5.
Under HB 2, LHISD teachers with three to four years of experience will receive a $2,500 raise, and teachers with five or more years of experience will receive a $5,000 raise.
In July, the board approved raises for new and beginner certified teachers and other certified employees.
The background
LHISD has faced mounting budget shortfalls and a dwindling fund balance amid rising operating expenses and a lack of state funding, district officials said. Despite the district receiving additional funding under HB 2, Guerrero said state funding does not fully cover many of the district’s expenses, Guerrero said.
In 2024, voters failed to approve a nearly $0.06 increase to the district’s tax rate. Since 2018, the district's M&O tax rate has decreased by $0.375 due to compression from the state as property values grow, according to district information.
Earlier this year, the board of trustees approved making around $6.4 million in budget cuts, including 78 positions, to reduce the district’s budget shortfall.
“We have a hole of $10 million from what we've cut from our budget the last two years,” Guerrero told Community Impact. “Right when school starts, that's when we'll start seeing it and feeling it, because we've cut so much support for teachers. We've increased class sizes.”
The district’s fund balance is projected to be around $13 million for FY 2025-26. The TEA recommends districts have at least three months of operating expenditures on hand, which would be $25 million for LHISD, Guerrero said. Falling below this threshold could negatively impact the district’s credit rating and ability to sell bonds, she said.
Next steps
The board is expected to adopt the district’s FY 2025-26 budget and potentially call a VATRE at its Aug. 18 meeting.
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AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Liberty Hill hit a new milestone after it was designated an International Dark Sky Community. This means the city is now preserved for its nighttime environment.DarkSky International designated this preservation, which makes Williamson County the first for such a community. It now joins 22 others that are “certified Dark Sky Places in Texas,” according to a news release from the city.Dark Sky Places are all over the world, and the program “has certified more than 200 places si...
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Liberty Hill hit a new milestone after it was designated an International Dark Sky Community. This means the city is now preserved for its nighttime environment.
DarkSky International designated this preservation, which makes Williamson County the first for such a community. It now joins 22 others that are “certified Dark Sky Places in Texas,” according to a news release from the city.
Dark Sky Places are all over the world, and the program “has certified more than 200 places since Flagstaff, Arizona was named the first International Dark Sky City in 2001,” according to the DarkSky website.
In an effort to preserve the nighttime environment in Liberty Hill, DarkSky protects certified places, which requires the use of “quality outdoor lighting, effective policies to reduce light pollution, ongoing stewardships practices and more,” according to the program’s website.
This comes after citizens in Liberty Hill formed a volunteer group, known as Liberty Hill Save Our Stars, during COVID-19 in 2020. The city said the group partnered with the Planning and Zoning commission and drafted an “Outdoor Lighting Ordinance,” which was then adopted in 2020.
Since that ordinance was passed, the city said it “inventoried more than 1,100 lights, initiated lighting retrofits across City Hall, the Stubblefield Building, and public parks.” The city said it’s also “committed to completing all city retrofits,” which includes the streetlights that are maintained by Pedernales Electric Coop by August 2027.
“Becoming the first Dark Sky city in Williamson County is a proud moment for Liberty Hill and a shining example of what grassroots action can accomplish,” Donna Leonard, Founder of Liberty Hill Save Our Stars, said in the release. “For over four years, the volunteers of Liberty Hill Save Our Stars have worked tirelessly to protect our night skies—not just for ourselves, but for future generations. In Texas, the stars at night are supposed to be big and bright. This designation honors that heritage and reflects our community’s deep commitment to preserving what makes our Hill Country home so special.”
The city is located 33 miles northwest of Austin and is ” surrounded byscenic hills, historic architecture, and a vibrant small-town culture.”
“Founded in the mid-1800s, Liberty Hill has worked to balance its rapid growth with efforts to preserve its historic charm — and now, its night skies,” the city said.
The city’s Dark Sky Committee plans to partner with other Dark Sky Places to host workshops, launch a Tri-County Star Party and more, according to the city.
“Liberty Hill’s commitment to preserving the night sky is a shining example of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose and passion,” Cindy Luongo Cassidy, Board President of DarkSky Texas, said in the release. “This designation is more than a title—it’s a reflection of Liberty Hill’s regional leadership and a powerful reminder that protecting our skies protects our quality of life. Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible achievement.”
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