Bastrop’s Future: A Conversation with City Manager Sylvia Carrillo

By Judah Ross, Bastrop Real Estate Group

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Sylvia Carrillo, Bastrop’s City Manager, to talk about the future of our community, the challenges of rapid growth, and the exciting plans underway. Sylvia has always been incredibly generous with her time, and her passion for Bastrop shines through in everything she does. Here’s a recap of our conversation for anyone curious about where Bastrop is headed.

Understanding the Role of the City Manager

Sylvia explained that Bastrop operates under a council-manager form of government, meaning she serves as the Chief Administrative Officer. The City Council, elected by the people, focuses on setting policies, while she handles the city's daily operations and manages the staff.
Bastrop is a home-rule municipality (thanks to its population size), granting it greater autonomy compared to smaller general-law cities in Texas.

With around 200 employees and a city budget under $20 million (excluding debt for major infrastructure projects), Sylvia works hard to manage growth without overburdening taxpayers.

Managing Growth and Infrastructure

Growth in Bastrop is undeniable. Sylvia shared that fire and police services, parks and recreation, and transportation are the primary pressure points as the population increases.

Some highlights:

• Park Development Fee: A $25 fee on new homes helps expand and improve parks.

• Trail and Sidewalk Expansion: Grants have funded safe pedestrian connections throughout Bastrop, including wide trails from downtown to local schools and parks.

• Tree Preservation: New regulations protect Bastrop’s trees and use mitigation fees to plant new ones along sidewalks and public spaces.

• Splash Pad Improvements: Efforts are underway to upgrade Fisherman’s Park’s splash pad to be more sustainable by recirculating water.

Our dream? A network of bike and pedestrian trails connecting all parts of Bastrop.

Development Updates

Several major developments are reshaping Bastrop:

• Val Verde: 250 townhomes and over 1,400 single-family homes.

• Sandero (formerly Pearl River): A major new development featuring residential, commercial, restaurants, and hotels.

• Burleson East and Reed Ranch: New shopping centers, apartments, and retailers like Sprouts, PetSmart, and Longhorn Steakhouse.

• New Hotels: Two more hotels are under construction to support growing tourism and business needs.

• Infrastructure Upgrades: Blakey Lane and Burleson Road expansions will ease traffic congestion around key areas like Lowe’s and the 71 Frontage Road.

Transportation and Connectivity

Transportation improvements are a major focus:

• New Streets and Sidewalks: Expansion projects aim to relieve congestion and provide safer east-west travel across town.

• Ride-Share Program: Modeled after Pflugerville’s program, Bastrop is exploring more accessible ride-sharing options for residents.

• Public Transit: The CARTS system is expanding to offer more charging stations and improved service hours for commuters.

Working with SpaceX and Future Growth

Although SpaceX’s facilities are outside the city limits, their presence is heavily impacting Bastrop’s economy.

• Housing Demand: New residents moving in for jobs at SpaceX, Tesla, and other employers are boosting the housing and rental markets.

• Economic Growth: Hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses are booming, and tax revenues are steadily rising—even without increased advertising.

Community Challenges and Priorities

Sylvia outlined some key challenges Bastrop faces:

• Maintaining Affordability: Efforts are underway to keep the tax rate steady and to be smart about when and how the city borrows money for projects.

• Balanced Growth: Ensuring infrastructure can support new development while protecting Bastrop’s unique character, especially its trees and open spaces.

• Public Services: Plans are in the works for expanded police and fire services, including a new fire substation and ongoing work toward attracting a hospital to Bastrop.

How Citizens Can Get Involved

Sylvia encouraged everyone to get involved:

• Join a Board or Commission: You don’t need to be an expert. If you have Bastrop’s best interests at heart, there’s a place for you.

• Attend “Sit with Sylvia” Events: These open meetings are a chance to ask questions and hear directly from the city leadership.

• Stay Informed: Bastrop is launching a new platform called OpenGov, which will allow citizens to see detailed monthly breakdowns of city spending and budgets.

Final Thoughts

Sylvia left us with a powerful reminder: "There’s way more good happening than bad. If you have questions, just come ask. Transparency and open dialogue are what keep Bastrop moving forward."

As someone who loves this community, I couldn’t agree more. Bastrop’s future is bright — and thanks to leaders like Sylvia Carrillo, it’s in very capable hands.

If you have questions or ideas for future interviews, feel free to message me! Stay tuned for more updates on our growing and vibrant community.

Watch the full interview here 

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