Government
BY GRACE DICKENS & KAMERYN GRIESSER
County approves higher tax rate, 50 new jobs The Williamson County Commissioners Court adopted the $560 million fiscal year 2023-24 budget and a higher tax rate at an Aug. 29 meeting. The gist The adopted budget includes provisions for 50 new positions, including six deputy officers and staff for a new EMS station in Liberty Hill. Other notable provisions in the budget include the following: • $16.2 million for capital improvement projects in the general fund • $14.57 million in the road and bridge fund • $13.7 million for the county’s Long Range Transportation Plan • $3.5 million for 4% merit pay increase for civilian employees • $2 million for new law enforcement equipment
City seeks innovation with new partnership Cedar Park may become a launching pad for new startups with the city’s recent $1 million investment into venture capital investment company Plug & Play LLC. The context Plug & Play is a business that invests in advanced manufacturing startups, providing training, mentorship and partnership. The city approved an agreement Aug. 24 to invest $1 million, and possibly more in the future, for the company to set up a physical location in Cedar Park. The details Plug & Play will have four employees and be located within the city for at least three years, ushering in two batches of startups annually to mentor.
Tax breakdown Williamson County’s new tax rate for fiscal year 2023-24 will cost homeowners more on average.
FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24
Average home price
$330,177
$363,135
Tax rate
$0.375608 $0.377445
County tax bill
$1,240.17
$1,370.63
$130.46
Annual bill increase
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The new adopted tax rate is $0.377445 per $100 home valuation, compared to 2022’s rate of $0.375608 per $100. Combined with higher property valuations, the average homeowner can expect to pay $130 more in taxes for FY 2023-24, according to a Williamson County news release. Looking ahead The Williamson County fiscal year will begin in October and run until September 2024.
“IT’S TIME TO BE WATER THRIFTY.”
We’re now under a mandatory Stage 3 outdoor watering schedule with only one designated day per week.
Hey parents, worry less about your undergrad this year! 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care | Doctors treat allergies, cold, flu & COVID-19 symptoms, rashes, headaches, pink eye, nausea, UTIs, minor injuries, STIs, strep throat and much more.
See all the Stage 3 measures at WaterThriftyCedarPark.org.
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