Government
BY KAMERYN GRIESSER & ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
WilCo budget, tax rate support 45 new positions County commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a $560.11 million fiscal year 2023-24 budget and a higher tax rate at an Aug. 29 meeting. Overview The budget has three components: a $318.14 mil- lion general fund, a $72.34 million road and bridge fund, and a $169.63 million debt service fund. The budget funds 45 new positions, including six deputy sheriff officers and staff for a new emergency medical services station in Liberty Hill. Also of note On Aug. 29, the Williamson County Deputy’s Association held a press conference to address ongoing disagreements with the Commissioners Court over staffing shortages. The association’s President Charles Duvall said the county does not have enough officers to serve
Georgetown voters to weigh $130M bond Georgetown City Council called a $130 million bond election at an Aug. 15 special-called meeting. The bond package includes four propositions, all centered around new construction, expansions and renovations of facilities. The details The bond package is made up of the following propositions: • Proposition A: $56 million to construct a new customer service center • Proposition B: $49 million to renovate the Georgetown Recreation Center • Proposition C: $15 million to fund an animal shelter expansion • Proposition D: $10 million to build a larger YMCA recreation facility
Rising tax rate Williamson County commissioners approved a tax rate of $0.377445 per $100 valuation.
7.74% year-over-year increase
$130 the average increase a homeowner will see in their annual tax bill
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
its growing population and continued residential development, citing data from the FBI that shows the county would need an additional 445 deputy officers to meet the national average of 2.8 depu- ties per 1,000 residents. In response, County Judge Bill Gravell said bud- get provisions for law enforcement have increased by more than 26% over the past three years. “If we funded what the sheriff’s deputies associ- ation is asking for, we would have to set a tax rate that would be so offensive that it would anger our citizens,” Gravell said.
Georgetown acquires 35 acres of land for future park The city of Georgetown announced Aug. 9 it purchased 35 acres of land in the southeastern portion of the city to be used for a future park. What you need to know Located near the intersection of SE Inner Loop and Southwestern Boulevard, the land was purchased for $6 million. the city’s 2008 voter-approved bond, parkland dedication fees and a donation from the Friends of Georgetown Parks.
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Due to a seven-year leaseback agreement with the sellers, the development of the park is several years out, which gives the city time to create a plan for funding and developing a park master plan, Georgetown officials said. The city will have the option to purchase an additional 65 acres of parkland at the site.
The money used to purchase the land was pro- vided through multiple funding sources, including
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