Government
BY GRACIE WARHURST
City begins process to sell water service area Georgetown city sta released a request for proposals, or RFP, Oct. 1 to begin the process of selling areas of its water territory outside of city limits and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. During the RFP process, interested parties are able to submit an initial bid to take on ownership of parts of the CCN. City o cials said they will give priority to neighboring cities that have shown interest in territories within their jurisdictions. The update Since the city introduced the plan to sell part of its certi cate of convenience and necessity—or the geographical area an organization is required to provide water service—in August, ve neighbor- ing cities have expressed interest in purchasing some of the water territory, Georgetown Strategic Project Manager Caroline Stewart said. The RFP process for the remaining CCN areas will take place in two phases. The rst phase opened Oct. 1 and will close Nov. 14. After the initial review, the top ranked proposals will then continue to the second phase, which will occur from Dec. 1-Jan. 31, when the WilCo renews rate for health care program Williamson County commissioners approved the maximum rate of 6% for the Williamson County Health Care Provider Participation Program at a Sept. 23 meeting. About the program This health care program allows nonpub- lic hospitals to contribute to a fund that helps cover costs from caring for Medicaid, low-income or uninsured patients. “This ... program is central to these hospi- tals’ nancial stability,” Adelanto HealthCare Ventures representative Robin Oldham said at the Sept. 23 meeting. This is the eighth year hospitals have worked with the county for the program, Oldham said, which has helped bring over $540 million of funding to hospitals in the county.
Williamson County burn ban in e ect Williamson County will be under a burn ban for up to 90 days due to drought con- ditions, following commissioner approval Sept. 30. The details While the burn ban is in e ect, residents may not burn combustible materials, includ- ing leaves, grass, brush and trees, outside of an enclosure that contains all ames and sparks. Violations are punishable with a ne of up to $500. The order may be lifted early by commis- sioners or County Judge Steven Snell.
Transferring water territory The following cities have expressed interest in purchasing parts of Georgetown’s water service territory: Killeen plans to retain a small, unoccupied portion of territory in the northeast part of the city. Salado expressed interest in buying its territory, although it doesn’t have existing infrastructure or customers. Florence and Jarrell are both interested in retaining their territory. Liberty Hill is considering buying territory in its jurisdiction, but continues to discuss the purchase internally due to the volume of customers in the area.
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT
earliest award could be o ered. There won’t be a minimum price listed on the RFP, instead it will be up to the “competitive marketplace” to determine cost, Stewart said. However, price is only one aspect the city will evaluate potential buyers on. “We’re not selling this to the highest bidder; we’re selling it to the most quali ed bidder,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said. What’s next Killeen and Jarrell will likely have the rst and easiest transfer, Stewart said.
"We’re trying to stay ahead of the re risk [and] re danger." MIKE LUGO, WILLIAMSON COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL
Georgetown to increase solid waste fees starting Nov. 1 Georgetown City Council gave nal approval to raise solid waste fees for scal year 2025-26 at a meeting Oct. 14. Explained After conducting a rate study, city o cials The impact Residential customers will see a 4.5% increase in their solid waste rates, and commercial customers will see a 9.5% increase. This same increase was
implemented in FY 2024-25, city o cials said. The increase amounts to an additional $12-$19 a year for residential customers. The increase will go into e ect Nov. 1.
determined the current solid waste fees will need incremental increases over the next few years to continue to support the solid waste system.
Residential solid waste rate comparison This following graph is based on monthly average residential rate.
$58.40
Austin
$35.95
San Marcos
$24.78
Georgetown (new) Georgetown (current)
$23.71 $23.67
Round Rock
$22.82
Buda
$22.37
Plfugerville Cedar Park
$21.21
$18.91
Leander
SOURCE : CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
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