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
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