CITY & COUNTY
News from Georgetown & Williamson County
QUOTE OF NOTE
WilCo ups property tax exemptions for homeowners WILLIAMSON COUNTY Commissioners voted unan- imously in favor of increasing the general homestead property tax exemption as well as the exemptions for homeowners age 65-plus and homeowners with a disability during its May 17 meeting. BY CLAIRE SHOOP INCREASING EXEMPTIONS Williamson County commissioners voted to increase the property tax exemptions for all homeowners, those who are age 65 and older and those with a disability for the 2022 tax year.
Georgetown City Council Meets June 14 and 28 at 6 p.m. at 510 W. Ninth St., Georgetown. 512-931-7715. www.georgetown.org Williamson County Commissioners Court MEETINGS WE COVER GEORGETOWN The city was accepting applications from local nonprot agencies for Strategic Partnerships for Community Services grant funding through June 8. Organizations will be eligible for grants ranging from $10,000-$50,000. An advisory board will review the applications and make recommendations for City Council to approve for scal year 2022-23. CITY HIGHLIGHTS GEORGETOWN Through a partnership with the Georgetown Animal Shelter, the re department installed microchip scanners at stations across the city during the week of May 16. If a found animal has a microchip, reghters can collaborate with partners to obtain the owner’s contact information with the goal of returning the pet. “WE’RE SEEING UNPRECEDENTED TAX BILLS BECAUSE WE ARE LIVING IN ONE OF THE MOST ECONOMICALLY PROSPEROUS REGIONS OF THE WORLD.” BILL GRAVELL, WILLIAMSON COUNTY JUDGE
The greater of 1.5% or $5,000 The greater of 5% or $5,000 General exemption
Homeowners 65 and older
Homeowners with a disability
The motion, which passed with a vote of 4-0, increases the existing tax exemption for residents age 65 and older as well as residents with a disability to $125,000. The general home- stead property exemption was increased to 5% of assessed value or a minimum of $5,000. The increased exemptions will be in e ect for the tax year beginning Jan. 1, 2022. This action comes after Williamson County voted last year to increase exemptions for residents age 65 and older to $90,000 and exemptions for residents with a disability to $75,000. In 2021, the court established the general home- stead property tax exemption at 1.5% or $5,000, whichever was greater. Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long, who spearheaded the e ort to increase the exemptions, said this is the county’s opportunity to help reduce residents’ property tax burdens. Additionally, Long said she also expects the county to lower its tax rate during the budget cycle later this year. These exemptions only apply to taxes assessed by the
2021
$90,000
$75,000
2022
$125,000 $125,000
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
county. Residents in Williamson County also pay taxes to other entities, including school districts, cities, municipal utility districts and emergency services districts. Due to rising property values, County Judge Bill Gravell encouraged other entities with the ability to o er homestead exemptions to do so.
City modies summer pool schedule due to lifeguard shortage
WilCo allocates $72.5M to water improvements
SPENDING SUMMER POOLSIDE Georgetown’s four city pools are open according to the following schedule: Recreation Center: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. River Ridge: Wed.-Sun. 1-7 p.m. Village: Thu.-Mon. 1-7 p.m. Williams Drive: Tue.-Sun. 1-7 p.m. SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWNCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
BY CHLOE YOUNG
WILLIAMSON COUNTY More than $72 million in federal funding will go toward 15 water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Williamson County, according to a plan approved by Commissioners Court on May 24. The projects will be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. Among the proposed projects is a $16 million water line that will run from North FM 1660 to SH 130 in Round Rock and Georgetown.
BY HUNTER TERRELL
GEORGETOWN Two of the city’s four pools opened Memorial Day weekend with a modied summer schedule because of a shortage of lifeguards, according to a release. All four pools will be operational by June 10, according to the city. The city is still hiring lifeguards and swim instructors. Lifeguard pay ranges from $10.50-$16.50 an hour
Meets June 14, 21 and 28 at 9:30 a.m. at 710 S. Main St., Georgetown. 512-943-1550. www.wilco.org
depending on experience. Lifeguard certication will be provided.
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GEORGETOWN EDITION • JUNE 2022
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