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Georgetown Edition VOLUME 19, ISSUE 6 FEB. 25MARCH 24, 2026
2026 Camp Guide
Building bridges Austin Avenue projects to rehabilitate road, construct pedestrian crossings over San Gabriel
bridges after hitting a setback in December. These two projects will improve safety
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Georgetown is working on two projects to upgrade Austin Avenue: the rehabilitation of the historic vehicular bridges and the construction of separate pedestrian and bicycle crossings. The vehicular bridges are currently under construction, while the city continues to work on the design of the new pedestrian
and accessibility in this high-tra c area, as well as accommodate the growing Georgetown popu- lation, according to city documents.
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Also in this issue
Election Page 15 Learn about precinct-based election day polling locations
As of mid-February, construction continued on half of Austin Avenue heading south into downtown Georgetown. MATTHEW BROOKS COMMUNITY IMPACT
Ilitis accab in rem vende nosto tem si demqui ad maxim facipsu nducid mintur as molor sam et mintur as molor sam et COMMUNITY IMPACT GRACIE WARHURST
MORROW S T MORROW S T
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Our purpose. Our purpose is to provide you with all the comforts of home—where scenic walking trails and tranquil greenspaces inspire your well-being. Here, you’ll find an enhanced quality of life and a welcoming community that allows you to cherish all the moments that matter most. We call it our purpose. You call it home.
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Impacts
In the news
7
3 Frankie’s NY Style Pizza & Pasta The restaurant reopened Jan. 19 after damage from a nearby October 2024 fire forced the restaurant to close, manager Jeff Metalia said. The Italian spot serves garlic cheese bread, salad, pasta entrees, pizza and subs.
LAKEWAY DR.
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• 1211 Leander Road, Georgetown • www.frankiesnypizzapasta.com
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RIVERY BLVD.
4 Garey Park splash pad The water feature will undergo renovations and regular maintenance that will address flagstone deterioration and work to maintain the anti-slip surfacing, following City Council approval Jan. 13. The $179,041 renovations are expected to wrap up by mid-March. • 6450 RM 2243, Georgetown • www.georgetowntexas.gov/parks
WOLF RANCH PKWY.
NORTHWEST BLVD.
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5 Southwest Williamson County Regional Park
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Four soccer fields at the park will be converted from natural grass to artificial turf through a sponsorship with Lonestar Soccer Club. The upgrades reduce impacts from drought and wear, and allow for longer playing time. For the $8.9 million project, Lonestar Soccer Club will fund $6.5 million, and the county will pay for the remaining $2.4 million. • 3005 CR 175, Leander • www.wilcotx.gov 6 Twice the Ice Located in the Williamsburg Village Center, the self-service ice and water business came under the Samsung Austin Semiconductor The company celebrated its 30th anniversary Feb. 2. Over the last 30 years, Samsung Austin Semiconductor has opened two fabrication units at its Austin campus. The fabrication facility at its Taylor site will be operational by the end of 2026. • 12100 Samsung Blvd., Austin; 1530 FM 973, Taylor • www.semiconductor.samsung.com/sas ownership of Michael Moody on Jan. 1. • 3010 Williams Drive, Georgetown
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West of I-35
company brings fuel to the dock, driveway or job site to eliminate trips to the pump or the need to transport containers of gasoline.
Coming soon
• Opening timeline not yet available • www.juicedfuel.com/austin-texas
1 Frost Bank The banking company broke ground on its second Georgetown location Feb. 4, said Bill Day, senior vice president of corporate communications. Frost has started hiring bankers to staff the new location. • Opening in late 2026 • 2208 Wolf Ranch Parkway, Georgetown • www.frostbank.com Juiced Fuel Austin A franchise of the mobile fueling service will serve the Central Texas area, including Georgetown. The
What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION
2 Summer Moon Coffee A location for the coffee spot is planned for Georgetown’s Bluebonnet Plaza development. Construction on the space is set to begin in March and wrap up in June. The coffee house is known for its wood-fired coffee roasting process and signature Moon Milk creamer. • 1310 W. University Ave., Georgetown • www.summermooncoffee.com
Dr. Craig P. Torres D.D.S., Endodontist Board Certified (COL US Army Dental Corps RET) • Non-surgical root canal therapy • Root canal retreatments • Root canal surgery Dr. Gloria T. Torres D.D.S., Prosthodontist (LTC US Army Dental Corps RET) 68 Years Combined Experience (Retired Army Dentists)
Call for an appointment 512-868-5999 Advanced Technology CEREC (one day all ceramic crowns) Endodontic Microscopes Digital radiography/photography CBCT (3-D) scans Oral/nitrous sedation www.Torres-Dental-Specialties.com
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4402 Williams Drive, Suite 104 • Georgetown, TX • Hours M-F 8-5 • Most insurance accepted
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY KATLYNN FOX, CLAIRE SHOOP & GRACIE WARHURST
Closings
Now open
Coming soon
7 Juan & Lupe’s Kitchen The restaurant first opened off Williams Drive in 2020, and marked its five-year anniversary in October. The locally owned spot served Southern-style Mexican food, including tacos and tortas. The restaurant announced its closure in a statement posted to Facebook. • Closed Jan. 14 • 4701 Williams Drive, Bldg. 2, Georgetown 8 Angela Ronzoni’s Pizzeria The business served an array of Italian food, including artisan pizzas, pasta, wings, stromboli and salads. • Closed Jan. 31 • 9073 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 9 Georgetown Sleep Center The facility closed following the retirement of provider Dr. James Curlee. The practice helped diagnose and treat snoring and sleep disorders. Georgetown Sleep Equipment and Supplies remains open for continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, equipment. • Closed Dec. 20
10 I <3 Churros The food truck, which launched at Georgetown’s Christmas Stroll, can now be found parked permanently at Tasty Trails Food Fun & Brew, owner Cesar Velasco said. The business sells traditional churros with fillings, such as dulce de leche and chocolate. The truck also offers churro
11 Bex+Co. Salon The shared-workspace salon will open a new location in the 29 Gateway development near the Liberty Hill and Georgetown border. The new salon will be the company’s first franchise location, led by Raven Eilers. • Opening in the spring • Southwest intersection of Hwy. 29 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard • www.bexandcosalon.com
loops and churro cones. • Opened in December • 3309 W. Hwy. 29, Georgetown • Instagram: @churros.atx
• 3121 Northwest Blvd., Georgetown • www.georgetownsleepcenter.com
LOVE YOUR SMILE
Aaron J. White, DDS 4507 Williams Drive • 512.869.4100 GTFamilyOrtho.com
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Impacts
195
East of I-35
• Opening this spring • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.lululemon.com
1105
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Now open
8THST.
4 Sephora The beauty store is set to bring hair, skin and makeup products to the Round Rock Premium Outlets. • Opening this summer • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.sephora.com
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1 Sabai Wellness Spa The professional day spa offers a variety of massages— including Thai massage, Swedish massage and deep tissue massage—for both relaxation and muscle tension relief. • Opened Jan. 28
9THST.
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130 TOLL
• 708 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown • www.sabaiwellnessspagtx.com
Relocations
SAN GABRIEL RIVER
2 JD Sports The sportswear and sneaker retailer opened in a space in the Round Rock Premium Outlets. • Opened in January • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.jdsports.com
N. AUSTIN AVE.
5 Beacon Behavioral The outpatient mental health provider moved into a new location downtown. Founded by Emily Kipp-Wright, who also owns Anchored, the practice is a step up from weekly therapy, offering patients treatment three days a week for three hours a day. The facility also aims to have partial hospitalization-level services—which are
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five days a week—in the future. • Relocated in mid-February • 810 S. Rock St., Georgetown • www.beaconbehavioralgtx.com
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3 Lululemon The fitness brand carries a variety of athletic and athleisure clothing, shoes, and accessories for men and women. Items offered are geared toward yoga, running and other activities.
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BY KATLYNN FOX, CLAIRE SHOOP & GRACIE WARHURST
8 Heritage Community Garden Gardeners can now sign a 2026 lease for a plot at the city garden. There are two bed sizes and styles to choose from, each of which have different rental rates for city residents and nonresidents.
Expansions
Relocations
6 Lone Star Circle of Care The health care provider is launching an endocrinology program at the Texas A&M Health Science Center. Services in the new specialty will be led by Dr. Avinash Ravipati, a board‑certified physician in internal medicine
• 100 Hutto Road, Georgetown • www.georgetowntexas.gov
and endocrinology. • Expanded Jan. 12 • 3950 N. A.W. Grimes Blvd., Round Rock • www.lonestarcares.org
Closings
9 Francesca’s After 26 years in business, the Houston-based clothing retail chain started the process of liquidating all merchandise and closing all stores in mid-January. The company has a location in the Round Rock Premium Outlets. • Closing date not yet available • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock • www.francescas.com 10 Furever Pets The pet store, which first opened in 2022 in the Round Rock Premium Outlets, sold cats and dogs. • Closed in mid-January • 4401 N. I-35, Round Rock
In the news
7 Georgetown Palace Theatre The historic theater is closed after the January cold snap caused pipes to burst, which resulted in flood damage. The building will require significant repairs and renovations, including replacing its sound system, a portion of its seating and parts of the stage. Upcoming shows will take place at the Doug Smith Performance Center and Klett Center for the Performing Arts. • 810 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown • www.georgetownpalace.org
11 Code Ninjas The coding educational franchise is preparing to relocate from its current location at 4853 Williams Drive, Ste. 103, Georgetown. The facility is now operated by Dhruve Mistry following Kevin MacWatters retirement. Mistry worked at the Round Rock location for six years before taking over the Georgetown business. • Relocating this spring • 950 W. University Ave., Ste. 203, Georgetown • www.codeninjas.com/tx-georgetown
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Government
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Georgetown o cials began planning for a potential bond election in May 2027, which would help the city address long-term infrastructure needs. While current debt capacity is committed through the next three years, the city aims to identify road, park and facility projects to support projected population growth. “If we look beyond three years, we do not have any projects that have been voter approved,” Assistant City Manager Nick Woolery said at a Jan. 13 City Council workshop. “So once we get beyond those three years, it’s really time to start thinking through what projects [we are] going to use that capacity for.” Woolery said a May 2027 bond election is the ideal timing to allow projects to begin construction in 2029. City Council will work to prioritize projects leading up to the election. Potential projects come from city master plans, such as the Future Mobility Plan and the Downtown Master Plan, as well as projects that already have preliminary engineering complete. City prepares for future bond
The history
Prior voter-approved bonds
Georgetown voters approved bond packages in 2008, 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023, according to city documents. Of these approved bond packages, there is $122 million available to be issued. The majority of this funding will go toward facilities projects approved in 2023 and slated for construction over the next three years, Woolery said. Those projects include building the new Customer Service Center, and expanding and renovating the Georgetown Recreation Center. Cities and other municipalities must hold an election and receive voter approval in order to issue bonds paid for through property taxes, according to state code. Georgetown can also fund capital projects through alternative methods, such as certi cate of obligation bonds that don’t require voter approval, partnerships with developers and the county, tra c impact fees, and grants.
Transportation and parks
$81.5M
2008
Public Safety Operations and Training Center
2011 $29.5M
$105M
2015
Transportation
$90M
2021
Transportation
$130M
Facilities
2023
$0 $30M $60M $90M $120M $150M
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT NOTE: ONLY YEARS WITH A VOTER APPROVED BOND ELECTION ARE SHOWN.
What’s next
“We can let the citizens decide if they want more roads, if they want less tra c.
The city is early in the bond project planning process and will continue to have workshops in the coming months, Woolery said. Council members also supported creating citizen bond committees to help prioritize projects. Council member Kevin Pitts said these groups will act as advocates and educators about the bond.
It’s going to cost money to do it.” KEVIN PITTS, GEORGETOWN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Possible projects San Gabriel Park Phase 4 Hwy. 29 East FM 971 NE Inner Loop
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT
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GEORGETOWN EDITION
Government
Youth felony diversion program reduces arrests A first-of-its-kind study of the Williamson County Transformative Justice Program shows a reduction in arrest rates and jail time, according to a county news release. Researchers with Texas A&M University’s Public Policy Research Institute presented the study and findings at a Feb. 3 Commissioners Court meeting, and commissioners authorized the district courts to apply for grant funding for the program for
City gets federal funding for waterline A planned 3-mile waterline along CR 255 will help serve about 25,000 water cus- tomers in northwest Georgetown, officials announced at a Jan. 29 press conference. The details The CR 255 waterline project includes the construction of a 30-inch diameter line con- necting to Georgetown’s Daniels Mountain water storage tank, and to tie into an existing 30-inch waterline on CR 289 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard, Georgetown Communica- tions Manager Keith Hutchinson said. U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, announced $3.5 million in federal funding will be dedicated to the $10.6 million waterline project. The city will pay for the remaining $7.1 million.
Those who graduated from the program were: The outcome
48% less likely to get arrested
61% less likely to be arrested for a felony
They also spent about 36 fewer days in jail on average, and 80% of graduates had fewer misdemeanors and felonies than nongraduates.
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
seeks to address the risk factors that cause emerg- ing adults to commit and recommit felonies. The impact The study shows those who participated in the program were 35% less likely to get arrested. Sixty percent of those who participated in the program graduated, and those who stayed through the first 200 days were more likely to graduate. Before this program, 75% of emerging adults were rearrested within three years of their first arrest, District Attorney Shawn Dick said.
fiscal year 2026-27. About the program
Launched in 2020, the Transformative Justice Program is a felony-diversion program for youth and emerging adults. The program is geared toward 17-to-24-year-olds who have committed a felony, an age group that is overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Using personalized support plans, the program
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Fire Station No. 8 to improve response times To address slowing response times and a rising call volume, the Georgetown Fire Department plans to construct Fire Station No. 8, remodel existing facilities and deploy more ambulances. What’s happening The city plans to open Fire Station No. 8 in 2028, Fire Chief John Sullivan said. Its location on Westinghouse Road and FM 1460 will bring service to a “dense area with high need,” Sullivan said. In the meantime, the city is working to remodel Fire Station No. 1 and construct a logistics facility to provide support for fire response operations. To improve response times along the Hwy. 29 corridor, plans include adding ambulances during high-volume periods, Sullivan said. The cause The department had 1,129 more responses in
Discounted rain barrels available
An increased demand
The Georgetown Fire Department has seen an increase in the number of calls requiring them to respond year over year as the population continues to grow.
+28.47%
Georgetown water customers can pur- chase 50-gallon rain barrels for almost $100 off through March 15. The specifics Georgetown Water Utility partnered with Rain Water Solutions, a company focused on water quality and conservation, to offer customers rain barrels for $78. Georgetown reserved 495 rain barrels— each valued at $170—through the partner- ship. All purchased rain barrels must be picked up on March 28. The why Rain barrels allow residents to collect water from their roof or gutters and use it for their lawns and plants, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
10K 15K 20K 25K 30K
0 5K
2021
2023
2025
2022
2024
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
2025 than in 2024. This averaged out to about 80 responses per day last year. This demand has led to slower response times. In 2025, emergency response times averaged 10 minutes and 54 seconds in 90% of priority calls, which exceeds the department’s goal of nine minutes, Sullivan said.
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 6 STATE OF THE DISTRICT
2026
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Student Showcases & State of the District address from Dr. Padavil, Superintendent
13
GEORGETOWN EDITION
mmission on Environmental Quality
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND PRELIMINARY DECISION FOR TPDES PERMIT FOR MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER NEW | PERMIT NO. WQ0016819001
PPLICATION AND PRELIMINARY DECISION S PERMIT FOR MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER NEW PERMIT NO. WQ0016819001 APPLICATION AND PRELIMINARY DECISION. Texas Department of Public Safety, 5805 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78752, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for new Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Permit No. WQ0016819001, to authorize the discharge of treated domestic wastewater at a daily average flow not to exceed 380,000 gallons per day. TCEQ received this application on May 29, 2025. The facility will be located at County Road 240, approximately 0.7 miles East of the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 195 and County Road 240, in Williamson County, Texas 76527. The treated effluent will be discharged to South Salado Creek, thence to Salado Creek in Segment No. 1243 of the Brazos River Basin. The unclassified receiving water use is high aquatic life use for South Salado Creek. The designated uses for Segment No. 1243 are primary contact recreation, public water supply, aquifer protection, and high aquatic life use. In accordance with 30 Texas Administrative Code §307.5 and the TCEQ’s Procedures to Implement the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (June 2010), an antidegradation review of the receiving waters was performed. A Tier 1 antidegradation review has preliminarily determined that existing water quality uses will not be impaired by this permit action. Numerical and narrative criteria to protect existing uses will be maintained. A Tier 2 review has preliminarily determined that no significant degradation of water quality is expected in South Salado Creek, which has been identified as having high aquatic life use. Existing uses will be maintained and protected. The preliminary determination can be reexamined and may be modified if new information is received. This link to an electronic map of the site or facility’s general location is provided as a public courtesy and is not part of the application or notice. For the exact location, refer to the application. https://gisweb.tceq.texas.gov/LocationMapper/?marker=-97.754444,30.806111&level=18 LIMINARY DECISION. Texas Department of Public Safety, , Austin, Texas 78752, has applied to the Texas Commission on Q) for new Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) to authorize the discharge of treated domestic wastewater at a daily 0,000 gallons per day. TCEQ received this application on May 29, County Road 240, approximately 0.7 miles East of the intersection and County Road 240, in Williamson County, Texas 76527. The rged to South Salado Creek, thence to Salado Creek in Segment Basin. The unclassified receiving water use is high aquatic life use designated uses for Segment No. 1243 are primary contact ly, aquifer protection, and high aquatic life use. In accordance with e §307.5 and the TCEQ’s Procedures to Implement the Texas The TCEQ Executive Director has completed the technical review of the application and prepared a draft permit. The draft permit, if approved, would establish the conditions under which the facility must operate. The Executive Director has made a preliminary decision that this permit, if issued, meets all statutory and regulatory requirements. The permit application, Executive Director’s preliminary decision, and draft permit are available for viewing and copying at Florence City Hall, outside the front door in the cabinet, 851 Farm-to-Market Road 970, Florence, Texas. The application are available for viewing and copying at the following webpage: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/wastewater/pending-permits/tpdes-applications. ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE NOTICE . Alternative language notice in Spanish is available at https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/wastewater/plain-language-summaries-and-public-notices. El aviso de idioma alternativo en español está disponible en https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/wastewater/plain-language-summaries-and-public-notices. PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC MEETING. You may submit public comments or request a public meeting about this application. The purpose of a public meeting is to provide the opportunity to submit comments or to ask questions about the application . TCEQ holds a public meeting if the Executive Director determines that there is a significant degree of public interest in the application or if requested by a local legislator. A public meeting is not a contested case hearing. ards (June 2010), an antidegradation review of the receiving 1 antidegradation review has preliminarily determined that ll not be impaired by this permit action. Numerical and narrative es will be maintained. A Tier 2 review has preliminarily determined n of water quality is expected in South Salado Creek, which has h aquatic life use. Existing uses will be maintained and protected. on can be reexamined and may be modified if new information is ronic map of the site or facility’s general location is provided as a t of the application or notice. For the exact location, refer to the OPPORTUNITY FOR A CONTESTED CASE HEARING. After the deadline for submitting public comments, the Executive Director will consider all timely comments and prepare a response to all relevant and material or significant public comments. Unless the application is directly referred for a contested case hearing, the response to comments will be mailed to everyone who submitted public comments and to those persons who are on the mailing list for this application. If comments are received, the mailing will also provide instructions for requesting a contested case hearing or reconsideration of the Executive Director’s decision. A contested case hearing is a legal proceeding similar to a civil trial in a state district court. TO REQUEST A CONTESTED CASE HEARING, YOU MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN YOUR REQUEST: your name, address, phone number; applicant’s name and proposed permit number; the location and distance of your property/activities relative to the proposed facility; a specific description of how you would be adversely affected by the facility in a way not common to the general public; a list of all disputed issues of fact that you submit during the comment period; and the statement “[I/we] request a contested case hearing.” If the request for contested case hearing is filed on behalf of a group or association, the request must designate the group’s representative for receiving future correspondence; identify by name and physical address an individual member of the group who would be adversely affected by the proposed facility or activity; provide the information discussed above regarding the affected member’s location and distance from the facility or activity; explain how and why the member would be affected; and explain how the interests the group seeks to protect are relevant to the group’s purpose. /LocationMapper/?marker=-97.754444,30.806111&level=18 Following the close of all applicable comment and request periods, the Executive Director will forward the application and any requests for reconsideration or for a contested case hearing to the TCEQ Commissioners for their consideration at a scheduled Commission meeting. The Commission may only grant a request for a contested case hearing on issues the requestor submitted in their timely comments that were not subsequently withdrawn. If a hearing is granted, the subject of a hearing will be limited to disputed issues of fact or mixed questions of fact and law relating to relevant and material water quality concerns submitted during the comment period . EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACTION. The Executive Director may issue final approval of the application unless a timely contested case hearing request or request for reconsideration is filed. If a timely hearing request or request for reconsideration is filed, the Executive Director will not issue final approval of the permit and will forward the application and request to the TCEQ Commissioners for their consideration at a scheduled Commission meeting. has completed the technical review of the application and draft permit, if approved, would establish the conditions under te. The Executive Director has made a preliminary decision that ll statutory and regulatory requirements. The permit application, ary decision, and draft permit are available for viewing and outside the front door in the cabinet, 851 Farm-to-Market Road plication are available for viewing and copying at the following exas.gov/permitting/wastewater/pending-permits/tpdes- MAILING LIST . If you submit public comments, a request for a contested case hearing or a reconsideration of the Executive Director’s decision, you will be added to the mailing list for this specific application to receive future public notices mailed by the Office of the Chief Clerk. In addition, you may request to be placed on: (1) the permanent mailing list for a specific applicant name and permit number; and/or (2) the mailing list for a specific county. If you wish to be placed on the permanent and/or the county mailing list, clearly specify which list(s) and send your request to TCEQ Office of the Chief Clerk at the address below. All written public comments and public meeting requests must be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk, MC 105, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087 or electronically at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/comment within 30 days from the date of newspaper publication of this notice. INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE. For details about the status of the application, visit the Commissioners’ Integrated Database at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/cid. Search the database using the permit number for this application, which is provided at the top of this notice. AGENCY CONTACTS AND INFORMATION. Public comments and requests must be submitted either electronically at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/comment, or in writing to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of the Chief Clerk, MC 105, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Any personal information you submit to the TCEQ will become part of the agency’s record; this includes email addresses. For more information about this permit application or the permitting process, please call the TCEQ Public Education Program, Toll Free, at 1-800-687-4040 or visit their website at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/pep. Si desea información en Español, puede llamar al 1-800-687-4040. Further information may also be obtained from Texas Department of Public Safety at the address stated above or by calling Mr. Noah Shaffer, P.E., Senior Project Manager, Halff Associates, at 512-942-6222. Issuance Date: January 20, 2026
14
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Election
BY CLAIRE SHOOP & GRACIE WARHURST
WilCo to use precinct-based voting for election day March 3
locations on election day, while the Democratic Party will have 42 polling locations. Both parties are combining some of the county’s 177 voting precincts. Voters can check county voter precinct maps to identify their updated precinct, which went into e ect Jan. 1.
For the rst time since 2013, the Williamson County Republican Party opted for precinct- speci c polling locations on election day, which in turn requires the local Democratic Party to follow suit. Countywide polling locations will remain available through early voting. According to information posted to the county’s website, Republicans will operate 55 polling
Williamson County voters participating in the March 3 primary election will use precinct-speci c voting locations on election day. Although the Williamson County Elections Department manages early voting, the Republican and Democratic parties are responsible for election day procedures, County Elections Administrator Bridgette Escobedo said.
Republican primary
Where to vote
Polling location
Precincts
Georgetown Annex 367, 368 Cimarron Hills Sales O ce 243, 245, 345 Georgetown ISD Technology Building
305, 307, 346, 353, 371
395
195
Randalls Film Alley
306, 394, 395
35
308, 341, 344, 370, 380 314, 469, 470, 471, 472
Georgetown City Hall Emmaus Church of Georgetown The Oaks Community Center Sun City The Delaney at Georgetown Village
306
342, 359, 369, 438, 473
381, 393, 396
341
305
469
379, 391, 392
380
472
243
346
29
29
LOOP
Democratic primary
314
Polling location
Precincts
29
29
314
353
308, 314, 341, 367, 368, 370, 380 305, 306, 307, 371, 381, 394, 395 469, 470, 471, 472
368
Georgetown Annex
367
130 TOLL
343
345
Georgetown Fire Station No. 6 Heritage Baptist Church
359
473
342
332
311, 330, 332, 333, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 353, 359, 369, 372
Northstar Georgetown
438
35
369
The Oaks Community Center Sun City
379, 391, 392, 393, 396, 397 SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
N MAP NOT TO SCALE
The why
Williamson County Republican Party Chair Michelle Evans cited voter integrity as the main reason for this change at a Jan. 27 Commissioners Court meeting. “We all share the same goal of having a successful primary election with voters that are con dent that their ballot is con dential, that their ballot is
counted and that their ballot matters,” Evans said. “We’re doing what we can as the Republican Party to achieve that in the method that we feel is best for our party.” Williamson County Democratic Party Chair Kim Collins Gilby said the party strongly opposes precinct-only voting. Because Williamson County’s
population has grown since 2013, countywide voting reduces confusion and ensures voters are not turned away for going to the wrong location, Gilby said. “This isn’t a Democratic or Republican problem—it’s a voters problem,” Gilby said. “And we just want to ensure nobody’s going to get left by the wayside.”
15
GEORGETOWN EDITION
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16
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Georgetown ISD will no longer open its 12th elementary school and fth middle school this fall. Instead, the district will delay the opening of both campuses until the 2027-28 school year, GISD Superintendent Devin Padavil said at a Feb. 2 board meeting. Padavil’s decision comes as the district looks to reduce a mounting budget shortfall amid slowed enrollment growth. GISD has been preparing to open Jessie Daniel Ames Elementary and Middle School No. 5 in August o Patriot Way and SH 130 near East View High School. The construction of both buildings was funded by the district’s $649 million bond election that was approved by voters in 2024. At a Jan. 12 workshop, district o cials said GISD was projected to face a $1.75 million budget shortfall in scal year 2026-27 if both campuses opened as planned this fall. The district would need to make $1 million-$1.5 million in budget cuts, raise class sizes and not provide raises for sta , district o cials said. By not opening any new schools in August, GISD is projected to realize a $1.86 million budget surplus next scal year, according to district documents from the Feb. 2 meeting. Opening Ames Elementary and Middle School No. 5 in the fall of 2027 will cost the district an additional $6.3 million in sta salaries, resulting in a projected $1.1 million shortfall in scal year 2027-28, interim Chief Financial O cer Kenneth Adix said. District delays school openings
What else?
costing $1.5 million in FY 2027-28, Adix said. GISD may need to consider raising class sizes at middle and high schools, and eliminating block scheduling whether or not the VATRE passes, district o cials said.
GISD may ask voters to approve a $0.07 per $100 valuation increase to its maintenance and opera- tions tax rate by calling a VATRE in November. The district could provide a 2% pay raise for sta next school year totaling $3 million and a 1% raise
Georgetown ISD budget scenarios based on tax rate
FY 2026-27 (no new schools)
FY 2027-28 (ES 12 & MS 5 opening)
2028-29 (HS 4 opening)
Scenario
FY 2025-26
Surplus/shortfall without VATRE ($1.0506 tax rate) Surplus/shortfall with VATRE ($1.1206 tax rate)
$8M
$1.9M
-$1.1M
-$5.7M
$8M
$5.3M
$827K
-$3.8M
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Updated district growth
The context
Mid-growth projections Enrollment
GISD has seen a slowing in its projected enrollment growth. In December 2023, the district was estimated to start the 2026-27 school year with around 14,500-14,800 students, according to GISD data. Now, GISD is projected to enroll about 14,000-14,200 students next school year. The district went from gaining around 500 or more students each school year to 100 new students this school year, Padavil said. Texas public schools receive funding based on the average number of students that attend class each day. By enrolling around 100 new students each school year, the district would bring in about $1 million in new revenue per year, Adix said.
17,845
20K
14,601
15K
10K
0
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
17
GEORGETOWN EDITION
Education
Georgetown ISD adopts new bell schedule for 2026-27 The Georgetown ISD board of trustees approved an adjustment to the district’s bell schedule for next school year to improve the efficiency of its bus routes and reduce expenses. recommended there be at least 50 minutes between elementary, high school and middle school start and dismissal times. Adopting the updated schedule allows
GISD may enroll out- of-district students Next school year, Georgetown ISD is considering opening enrollment to students living outside of the district’s boundaries at campuses with available space. Learn more GISD is encouraging interested families to complete a form found on the district’s website. Families who complete the interest form will receive more information about eligible campuses and grade levels, appli- cation timelines, and selection criteria, according to district information. What they’re saying Superintendent Devin Padavil said at Feb. 10 Georgetown Chamber of Commerce luncheon that the district had received 46 submissions to date.
GISD to reduce its total number of bus routes, Heflin said. The district is anticipated to save $750,000-$1 million in transportation costs, district documents show. The impact The proposed schedule would shorten the school day by five minutes, Heflin said. To accommodate for the shortened day, GISD would change two staff development days into regular instructional days.
District officials shared new start and dismissal times for elementary, middle and high school campuses during a Jan. 12 board workshop before adopting them Feb. 2. The context In 2025, GISD conducted a transportation study that found that the district’s current bell schedule resulted in inefficiencies for bus routes, Chief of Strategic Operations Lannon Heflin said. The study
School level
Current start time
New start time
Current dismissal time New dismissal time
Elementary
7:40 a.m.
7:30 a.m.
3:03 p.m.
2:45 p.m.
High School
8:40 a.m.
8:20 a.m.
4 p.m.
3:35 p.m.
Middle School
9 a.m.
9:10 a.m.
4:20 p.m.
4:25 p.m.
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY GRANT CRAWFORD, BROOKE SJOBERG & CHLOE YOUNG
Texas State partners with local flight school Texas State University will offer an avi- ation science degree program at its Round Rock campus beginning this spring. What’s happening The university partnered with George- town-based Genesis Aero to offer pathway to certification and licensure required for professional pilots.
ACC enrollment up for health, workforce fields Amid enrollment growth across a majority of its programs, Austin Community College is reporting significant growth across its workforce and health care programs. What you need to know The community college district shared an update on enrollment Jan. 20, the start of the spring 2026 semester. Data updated as of Jan. 16 shows enrollment is up 7% year over year. More students are also choosing to remain with ACC semester to semes- ter, the report shows, with returning students up 9% compared to 2025, and 23% compared to 2024. The details The report shows that growth in student enrollment is strongest for workforce and health care-focused fields, each with 17% growth.
In addition to full-time enrollment growth, ACC saw a year over year increase specifically in:
Advanced Manufacturing: +17%
Skilled Trades: +17%
Health Sciences: +17%
Liberal Arts-Humanities and Communications: +13%
SOURCE: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What they’re saying “What we’re seeing is proof that when we design college around real lives and real jobs, students respond,” ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart said in the release. What else? Data also shows growth in full-time enrollment and doubled participation in the community college district’s free tuition pilot program, which went from 4,894 students in 2025 to 9,741 students as of this spring, the report states.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to developing the future generations of professional pilots through high-quality flight training.” KYLE KEELING, OWNER OF GENESIS AERO
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