Georgetown Edition | March 2025

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Georgetown Edition VOLUME 18, ISSUE 7 MARCH 19APRIL 15, 2025

2025 Camp Guide

2025 Voter Guide

Two Step Inn returns

BY ANNA MANESS Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert and Lynyrd Skynyrd will take the stage at San Gabriel Park for the third annual Two Step Inn festival April 5-6. The festival brings thousands of visitors to the heart of Georgetown, and while some local businesses thrive during the event, others see it as an obstacle. Amber Kurkowski, owner of The Palomino restaurant, said the event’s road closures make it dicult for customers to reach her business. Bethany Bartkus, Two Step Inn’s festival director with event group C3 Presents, said her team is working alongside the city, residents, business owners and police to improve this year’s event.

CONTINUED ON 42

San Gabriel Park

CHAMBER WAY

THE PALOMINO

Festival attendees dance while Clay Walker performs at the rst Two Step Inn festival in 2023.

COURTESY TWO STEP INN 2023, CHARLES REAGAN

Also in this issue

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Government: Crashes are up in Georgetown. See what the city is doing (Page 10)

Development: From farmland to four stories: Check out a new project coming soon (Page 27)

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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

CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY FOR WILLIAMSON COUNTY RICK COFER

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Amanda Cutshall Dacia Garcia Sarah Hernandez Elisabeth Jimenez Anna Maness Haley McLeod Jamie Moore Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Gracie Warhurst Chloe Young Graphic Designers Alissa Foss Abigail Hines Sabrina Musachia Karoline Pfeil Sam Schaer

Denise Seiler General Manager dseiler@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Austin Market President Travis Baker Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Product Manager Gloria Gonzalez Quality Desk Editor Adrian Gandara

Claire Shoop Editor cshoop@ communityimpact.com

Dana Smyth Account Executive dsmyth@ communityimpact.com

16225 Impact Way Pugerville, TX 78660 • 5129896808 CI Careers

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

Impacts

195

2 Luxx Nail Bar The business offers manicures, pedicures, hair and scalp treatments, waxing and eyelash extensions, owner Kevin Vo said. • Opened March 7 • 4620 Williams Drive, Ste. 103, Georgetown • www.luxxnailbargeorgetown.com

DEL WEBB BLVD.

SERENADA DR.

VERDE VISTA

NORTHWEST BLVD.

LAKE GEORGETOWN

Coming soon

130 TOLL

3 Alloy Personal Training The gym franchise offers small group personal training. • Opening May 17 • 2960 FM 1460, Ste. 103, Georgetown • www.alloyatx.com 4 Crust Pizza Co. The restaurant chain offers Chicago-style pizza and cauliflower crusts, franchise owner Armando Cordova said. • Opening April 14 • 4620 Williams Drive, Ste. 107, Georgetown • www.crustpizzaco.com 29 5 LaDawn’s Beauty Supply Co-owned by Tracy and Kenneth Clark, the beauty supply store will carry a variety of products, including cosmetics, wigs and hair-braiding materials, and be a safe space for people who have experienced hair loss 130 TOLL due to alopecia or cancer treatment. • Opening in late May or early June • 3010 Williams Drive, Ste. 183, Georgetown • Website and phone number not yet available

W. 6 T H S

KAUFFMAN LP.

RIVERY BLVD.

T .

268

RONALD REAGAN BLVD.

S. MAIN ST.

WOLF RANCH PKWY.

1460

Relocations

MAP NOT TO SCALE

6 Assistance League Georgetown Area Officials with the nonprofit expect to build a new facility in the next five years to increase its outreach. It is currently housed at 900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 115, Georgetown. • Relocating in 2030 • 4824 Verde Vista, Georgetown • www.assistanceleague.org 110

casual Italian options, including cheese ravioli, fish fries and more comfort meals. • Opened March 4

Now open

1 The Red Door Kitchen From the team behind Wiseguys in Round Rock, the full- service, sit-down restaurant offers an expanded menu of

• 4106 Williams Drive, Georgetown • Facebook: The Red Door Kitchen

1460

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) 66 Years Combined Experience (Retired Army Dentists) 110

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 1431

• Restorative Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Full mouth reconstruction

(severe wear/malocclusions) • Complex esthetic and functional cases • Dental implants • Dentures / partial dentures

4402 Williams Drive, Suite 104 • Georgetown, TX • Hours M-F 8-5 • Most insurance accepted

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY DACIA GARCIA, ANNA MANESS & CLAIRE SHOOP

7 Corridor Title The Georgetown branch of the Central Texas-based business previously operated in temporary office space. • Relocated Feb. 7 • 200 W. Sixth St., Ste. 300, Georgetown • www.corridortitle.com 8 Georgetown Free Bikes The nonprofit, which refurbishes and distributes bikes for those in need through donations, will relocate from the founder’s garage to its first brick and mortar site. • Opening March 25 • 2055 FM 1460, Georgetown • www.georgetownfreebikes.org 9 Wine Sensation The store, owned by Patrease Rogers, moved from 409 N. Mays St., Round Rock. • Opened Feb. 28 • 1500 Rivery Blvd., Ste. 2125, Georgetown • www.winesensation.com

after an Oct. 16 shopping center fire. Manager Jeff Metalia hopes it will take no more than two months.

Coming soon

• 1211 Leander Road, Georgetown • www.frankiesnypizzapasta.com

11 Dave’s Hot Chicken A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation listing shows Dave’s Hot Chicken will replace Carl’s Jr, which will close in mid-April. • 1039 W. University Ave., Georgetown • www.daveshotchicken.com

12 Körk Wine Bar Owned by Ryan and Carissa Kell, the wine bar celebrated its 5th anniversary on March 8. • 815 S. Main St., Ste. 101, Georgetown • www.korkwine.com

14 Chick-fil-a The new restaurant is slated to open near the border of Leander and Georgetown, a representative of Chick-fil-A confirmed with Community Impact. The 5,030-square-foot restaurant with a drive thru will be located off Kauffman Loop at the Bar W Marketplace shopping center, project information listed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shows. • Opening 2026 (per TDLR) • 450 Kauffman Loop, Leander • www.chick-fil-a.com

Closings

13 Journey Gymnastics Owner Terek Brown said the building was sold, and he hopes Journey Gymnastics will reopen in Georgetown. • Closed Jan. 31 • 2524 Shell Road, Georgetown

In the news

10 Frankie’s NY Style Pizza & Pasta Renovations to the restaurant began in early March,

LUCKY YOU! You don’t need the luck of the Irish to have a great smile- you just need to take that first step! Georgetown Family Orthodontics offers a variety of treatment options to fit your budget and lifestyle, and we’re always accepting new patients. We are conveniently located at Shell Road and Williams Drive. Call today to schedule your appointment.

Aaron J. White, DDS 4507 Williams Drive • 512.869.4100 GTFamilyOrtho.com

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

Government

City launches askGTX platform The city of Georgetown launched a new customer service platform, askGTX, on Feb. 24, allowing residents and visitors to ask questions, report issues and connect with city staff. What you need to know Residents can use askGTX to report a pothole, learn about ride-hail vouchers, request a new stop sign and more, according to its website. The ask- GTX team expects to launch a mobile app in May and a texting feature in early summer, Customer Care Director Seth Gipson said during a Feb. 25 council workshop. Explained A team of nine askGTX ambassadors are prepared to answer phone calls and emails from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to a news release. Staff will assist with routing,

Officials explore new zoning district On March 11, Georgetown City Council dis- cussed adding a zoning district to promote diverse housing types on smaller lots. The big picture Planning Director Sofia Nelson presented a proposed residential mixed zoning district to council. The proposed district intends to accommodate single-family detached homes and encourage homeownership by allowing a mixture of housing types. Mayor Josh Schroeder suggested specify- ing the RM district is for developments 20 acres or less. Council members told Nelson to update the RM’s purpose statement to specify the number of housing types required should be based on the acreage. Adding the RM district to city code will require a future council vote.

Contact askGTX

Website: www.georgetowntexas.gov/askgtx

Email: info@askgtx.georgetowntexas.gov

Phone: 512-930-2489

CITY OF GEORGETOWN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

tracking and providing feedback on reported issues. Residents can connect with askGTX’s website 24/7, which includes a section of 230 prewritten “knowledge base” articles with answers to frequently asked questions. Previously, city calls were handled by various departments, meaning residents had to navigate 34 different phone numbers to seek information or ask for assistance. The cost The service has an annual budget of $1.1 million, according to the release.

Discover why Regency at Santa Rita Ranch was awarded Best 55+ Community by the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin. This active adult community offers home designs to choose from and master-plan amenities plus an exclusive 55+ clubhouse with a resort style pool, fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, and more. LUXURY LIVING FOR 55+ ACTIVE ADULTS IN LIBERTY HILL, TEXAS LUXU

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ANNA MANESS

Judge Gravell resigns to accept role in Trump administration Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell resigned as county judge during a March 11 Commissioners Court meeting. What you need to know Gravell accepted a role in President Donald Trump's administration with the U.S. Small Business Administration in the Office of Advo- cacy as the Region 6 advocate. In the new role, he’ll represent New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. 425th District Court Judge Betsy Lambeth swore him into office for his new role March 11. How we got here Gravell was elected as county judge in 2018 and previously served as a justice of the peace from

County to preserve decades-old records Williamson County commissioners approved a plan Feb. 25 to preserve and restore additional archived county records. In a nutshell Most of the county’s permanent records are paper-based and vulnerable to theft and wear and tear, according to county documents. The plan will help restore old probate court records, some of which date to the 1800s, County Clerk Nancy Rister said. How it works The records will be preserved using archive fees and will not have a cost to the county, per county documents. Paper doc- uments will be scanned while handwritten documents will be encapsulated, or sealed between sheets of protective film.

“As a kid, growing up at 1402 E. Main St. in Round Rock, Texas—golly, I never would have imagined the day that I would have the opportunity to serve our nation in this capacity,” BILL GRAVELL, REGION 6 SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCATE

2015-18. Throughout his time as county judge, he witnessed the appraised value of the county grow from $84 billion to $180 billion, according to a news release. What happens next? During a March 25 meeting, the four commis- sioners will determine candidates to interview for his replacement based on submitted resumes and cover letters. A special session is planned for March 27 at the Williamson County Courthouse for commissioners to interview candidates and possibly take action, per a news release.

WOMEN OF WILCO AWARDS RECOGNITION CONGRATULATIONS! International Women’s Day

Award Winners

TANYA CLAWSON

STEPHANIE GEORGE

E ER

TARA LEDAY DIANA PHILLIPS ARA LEDAY DIANA PHILLIPS

JEN HENDERSON JENHENDE RSON

TA BREND

MICHELE JAROSZEWSKI-WEBB

BRENDA EIVENS DA EIVENS

KERRIE STANNELL KERRIE ST TANNELL

Award Finalists

Stephanie Ac SummerBai Angela Bake Nicci Bontrag

cker ley er ger ht ey io Clark stelman

Susan Faykus Deanna Ferguson Cynthia Flores Kelley Hernandez-Host

Brenna Kuhn Julie Lessiter Tammy Lindenberg Michelle Ly Monica McKitterick

Karah Powell SuzyPukys SusanRock

A Anna Rogers Jayne Serna a’Cole Thompson Stephanie Tyler Lori VanRoo Angela Williams

K LaKissa Brig Kirstin Case Laura Ciacc Victoria (Tori) C Kay Dunning-Bos

Hope Hisle-Piper Tonesha Holland Kristen Huguley Stacy Johnson Kaitlyn Kennedy Kassi Kincaid

Elaine Mingus Lindsey Moore Jessica Mosman Ginna O'Connor Jodee O'Brien

Na S

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

Government

BY ANNA MANESS

$90M WilCo Juvenile Justice Center expansion breaks ground

The expansion aims to address the commu- nity’s needs for the next 25-30 years, per the release. The Williamson County Juvenile Services department has seen an increase in serious oenses as well as complex cases, including those involving youth with mental health needs, according to the county website. The $90 million project’s rst phase will construct a new building over the next 18 months, while the second and nal phase will renovate the existing facility by summer 2027. What they’re saying “I think our facility has been inadequate, not because we neglected the care or the upkeep or the maintenance, but because of the sheer rapid growth that we’ve encountered,” former William- son County Judge Bill Gravell said at the ground- breaking. “Now, we have the opportunity to match the facility with the sta that we have [and] the needs of our community.”

Williamson County ocials broke ground on an expansion to the Juvenile Justice Center in Georgetown on Jan. 31, marking the beginning of a two-year project to improve the facility. About the project According to a county news release, the expan- sion will reorganize existing spaces to create more visitation, counseling and administrative areas. Other additions include: • 48 new beds • A family-focused regional courtroom • Learning and exercise areas • Larger intake and release areas The why The facility houses youth who enter the justice system in the county. The release states the expan- sion will help the county work toward its goal of treating the individual rather than the crime.

Phase 1 involves constructing a new building by 2026.

RENDERING COURTESY BLGY ARCHITECTURE

110

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Government

BY ANNA MANESS

Georgetown police address uptick in calls, crashes

outdoors such as the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, Tchida said he hopes his department will be the standard when it comes to responding to attacks and mitigating threats. “My goal for the Georgetown Police Department is that our vision is to be the standard,” Tchida said. “We are absolutely going to be the standard when it comes to the active attack domain, and we will utilize every amount of training and every resource to mitigate these threats that they hopefully never happen.”

In the past decade, the city of Georgetown has experienced a 47% increase in calls for police service, a 91% increase in motor vehicle crashes and a 39% decrease in traffic stops, according to city data. During a Feb. 11 City Council workshop, Georgetown Police Chief Cory Tchida said the department will focus on community policing, crime reduction and utilizing technology in 2025, among other priorities. After seeing an increase in active attacks

Calls for service, 2014-24

Top 10 most requested calls for service in Georgetown

30K

14% Citizen assist

911 hangups

10%

Vehicle crash

25K

6% 6% 5%

Welfare concern Reckless driving Suspicious activity

20K

+46.88%

Burglary alarm

15K

Follow up

Mental health checks

Loud music

2014 2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020 2021

2022

2023 2024

Motor vehicle crashes, 2014-24

A common location for stop- and-go crashes is in front of Wolf Ranch, a growing center near I-35 and Hwy. 29, Tchida said. “This one’s tough. We continue to see really stark increases in motor vehicle crashes in the city,” he said. “Geographically, we’re a really big city, and there’s a lot of people coming through this city.”

3,871

Motor vehicle crashes have increased in Georgetown by 91% in the past decade.

2,030

WOLF RANCH PKWY.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Traffic stops, 2014-24

Mental health calls, 2019-2024 These figures do not include cases where police officers realize a situation is a mental health crisis after arriving on scene.

Traffic stops are up since 2023 but not as high as they were in 2014-2027.

20,000

15,000

1,574

10,000

1,076

655

5,000

608

565

-39.16%

314

2014 2015

2016 2017

2018

2019 2020 2021

2022 2023 2024

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

SOURCE: GEORGETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

GEORGETOWN EDITION

BEWARE: Georgetown Homeowners must now verify homestead exemptions every 5 years – or risk losing it.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY ANNA MANESS

Officials OK ride-hail voucher program

Some context

The city’s only other transportation system is through GoGeo, which is operated by the Capital Area Rural Transportation System, or CARTS, as a subcontractor for CapMetro, according to previous Community Impact reporting. CARTS offers curb-to-curb service from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, and requires a $2 payment each way, according to the city’s website. The TRIPP program will offer rides 24/7, District 1 council member Amanda Parr said. CARTS services will continue running in con- junction with the TRIPPP program until the city’s year-long contract with CARTS expires in Sep- tember, Saluone said. Then, officials can decide whether to continue with the CARTS contract. Officials originally planned to launch the vouch- ers in October 2024.

It will take about two months to get the program running, he said. Riders will pay an initial fare of $4, and the city will cover the next $10. The rider will be responsible for paying extra, Saluone said. Riders requiring wheelchair-accessible vehicles will still pay the initial $4 fare, but the remaining cost will be subsidized by the city. Riders will be capped at requesting 10 trips per month, excluding WAV trips, Saluone said.

Georgetown residents and visitors will have access to a new ride-hail voucher program. At a Feb. 11 meeting, City Council approved a three-year contract with TRIPPP Consulting, a public transit consulting company. The contract allows those within Georgetown city limits to access ride-hail vouchers within the Uber app or through a 24/7 call center, Georgetown Transportation Manager Lua Saluone said during a presentation to council.

Potential destinations The Georgetown ride-hail voucher program works within city limits and for trips to the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Round Rock.

195

Going forward

Georgetown city limits

130 TOLL

Staff will return to council this summer to present an update on the program’s progress. The estimated total cost of the program is $858,600, according to city documents. Fiscal year 2025-26, FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 ride-hail vouchers will require annual approval.

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Round Rock

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Election

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON & ALEX REECE

During uniform election days in Texas, which are held twice a year in May and November, eligible residents are given the opportunity to vote at a polling site or via a mail-in ballot. Both voting methods require presentation of a valid and approved form of identification, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. When voting in person, eligible voters not in possession of an allowed form of identification can request a provisional ballot and follow associated processes to cast their vote. What identification to bring when heading to the polls May 3

Voters are required to bring one of seven forms of identification with them when they cast their ballot in person.

Voters who do not possess one of the approved forms of photo ID can present an alternative form of identification:

PASSPORT

US CITIZEN

TEXAS DRIVER

TEXAS HL

Government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate Current utility bill Bank statement Government check Paycheck Certified U.S. state or territory birth certificate or a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity

U.S. Citizenship Certificate

U.S. Passport

Texas Driver License

Texas Handgun License

TX ELEC ID

MILITARY

TX PER ID

Texas Election Identification Certificate

Texas Personal Identification Card

U.S. Military Identification Card

SOURCE: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Election

KEY: *Incumbent

Georgetown City Council, District 3

If elected, what are your top priorities for the city of Georgetown? My priorities are slow and sensible growth, supporting our police and other first-responders, better traffic flow, water solutions and bringing an engineering perspective to the council. Georgetown is a great place to live, work, play and raise a family and I intend to keep it that way.

What uniquely qualifies you for this position? I have an engineering background, a breadth of experience living in eleven different states and two foreign countries, customer support skills developed as director of Public Works, policy development and implementation experience as a senior Army officer, and a belief that there are no government funded programs, only tax-payer funded. I have served on past city planning commission and city council. Chair of Sun City nominating committee, liaison to Sun City finance committee, chair of the city of Georgetown’s ethics commission, member of Georgetown legislative task force, member of Georgetown’s strategic partnership committee, graduate of Georgetown Leadership Academy and Rotary.

Ben Butler Experience: retired U.S. Army colonel, former director of Public Works, Georgetown Electric Board

Occupation: retired Facebook: Ben Butler

My priorities when elected are to continue planning for our future water needs, working to ensure thoughtful growth/development, the need to guarantee adequate electrical power, public safety by funding police, fire and EMS, maintaining our historic downtown, keeping our taxes low through fiscal responsibility and improving our infrastructure.

Joe Orsak Experience: retired healthcare fundraiser and hospital CEO

Occupation: retired joeorsak@aol.com

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ANNA MANESS

Georgetown City Council, District 4

If elected, what are your top priorities for the city of Georgetown? Preserving the historical authenticity of downtown Georgetown, increasing necessary public safety resources resulting from growth, ensuring future water supply and wastewater requirements are adequately met, expanding building inspection efforts, creating a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit to protect citizens and roadways, and bringing a metro station/additional public transportation to Georgetown. Managing the growth of the city and maintaining the small-town charm. Serving with a mayor and city manager and an excellent city council to meet the needs of citizens in the areas of public safety (fire and police), with the county and TxDOT to see streets and roads are developed.

What uniquely qualifies you for this position? Over 25 years of involvement in political campaigns and municipal government work, over 12 years of law enforcement education and service, over 25 years of business ownership in construction, chairman of a municipal transportation committee that worked with government officials on public transportation initiatives, chairman of numerous charitable fundraising events. My career in the nonprofit sector of working with cities, boards, commissions, and knowing how to listen and solve problems. My lifelong desire to serve others—in this case, the citizens of Georgetown. Service on the property and grounds and finance committees in Sun City provides significant background to Georgetown’s needs.

Dave Richardson Experience: former law enforcement officer and remodeling/construction business owner Occupation: retired districtfour4dave@gmail.com Ron Garland* Experience: 39-year Boy Scouts of America career, serving Boy Scout councils and cities in five states Occupation: District 4 Georgetown City Council member brgarland1@gmail.com

GEORGETOWN EDITION

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce congratulates the local businesses and individuals honored at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet. Congratulations ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS

Awards Banquet A A d d

Small Business of the Year: Spa Luxe

Lifetime Achievement Award: The Caring Place g

Jesse ‘Buz’ Sawyer Award: Cody Hirt y

Volunteer of the Year: Andy Webb

NEW! Award-Winning British-Made Cedar Greenhouses by Alton

Ambassador: Ann Kaiser

Large Business of the Year: A+FCU

Martha Diaz Hurtado Award: Pet Partners of Williamson County

Citizen of the Year: Brad Smith

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

Georgetown ISD administrators said they may have to make some tough financial decisions for 2025-26. Administrators said a minimal increase to part of the public school funding formula proposed in the Texas House of Representatives as part of the legislative session will not be enough to close the gap. A reduction in teacher positions could be an option to remediate the shortfall, if a more significant increase to school funding is not passed by the Texas Legislature, said GISD Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hanna in a March 3 board workshop. Superintendent Devin Padavil said the district is considering these reductions now to avoid having to make harsher cuts in future years. Based on current conditions, Hanna said the school district is projecting about $172.09 million in expenditures for the 2025-26 school year as it anticipates about $168.37 million in revenue. GISD preps for budget cuts

What’s next?

What they’re saying

When it comes to campus closures and staffing cuts implemented by districts across the state to make up the difference in projected shortfalls, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath said in a Feb. 25 hearing that it is more a consequence of planning for unrealized enrollment growth than a true need for additional funds. “There is no magic number that makes [funding] enough,” Morath said. GISD administrators will present the next budget update in April. Hanna said administrators will continue to provide updates to the board on development of the 2025-26 fiscal year’s budget, which is set to be voted on for final approval in June. GISD’s new fiscal year will begin July 1. “The reality is that if we do not embrace these hard decisions now, the decisions that we’re going to have to make next year ... will be worse,” Padavil said.

Budgeted expenditures, Hanna said, are the same for the 2025-26 fiscal year as the previous school year, meaning no raises for employees are factored into the proposal. To close the gap between projected revenues and expenditures, she said administrators would have to either dip into GISD’s fund balance—where any surpluses from previous budget years are kept to help manage cash flow—or identify efficiencies. Trustees were critical of the proposal to cut teacher positions, and asked administrators to explore options for reducing budgets for extracur- riculars, such as athletics, to minimize the impact to GISD’s academic program. Place 6 Trustee Jen Mauldin suggested cutting athletics and extracurricular programs first, rather than focusing on classroom roles, could be a better option and could increase community engagement with the state regarding funding. “Is [extracurricular and athletic programming] the priority over our academic program, where we’re working so hard to get to an appropriate level that they’re not in this group of what we’re looking at?” Mauldin said. “Would there be more interest in the budgeting in our state if we started talking about cutting athletic programs and we started cutting extracurricular programs? I know that the parents would be at the state capitol in two shakes.” Board president James Scherer suggested the district could cut athletic programs that have a high cost to student ratio to reduce the number of teaching positions considered in budget cuts. “If we have 10 kids in this thing and it’s costing us a million bucks ... you get rid of the 10 kids’ program and apologize,” Scherer said.

House Bill 2, introduced in February, would update basic allotment. • Existing basic allotment: $6,160 • HB2 proposal: $6,380 • Difference: $220 Proposed increase

March 3: budget workshop April-May: Development of proposed budget June: Board review and public hearings Late June: Budget adoption July 1: Implementation of new budget Budgeting process

*DISTRICTS ARE ALSO FUNDED FOR CERTAIN POPULATIONS AND PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS LIKE SPECIAL EDUCATION OR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

Education

GISD moves forward with renovations The renovation of fine arts spaces and addition of a weight room to the Forbes Middle School campus will soon enter the design phase—along with a new performing arts center and refreshed field house for East View High School—after Georgetown ISD officials approved contracts for the projects in February. What happened GISD trustees approved a design agreement with PBK Architects for the project at Forbes on Feb. 17 and will pay the firm $248,857 as a percent- age of construction costs. Contracts for the project at EVHS include a $1.98 million fee to Pfluger Architects, as a percentage of construction costs, as well as a not-to-exceed amount of $337,500 to be paid to Langan Engineering. Trustees approved the agreements as part of the

Communication procedures refined Following a Jan. 29 bomb threat at Georgetown High School, administrators say the district is refining its communication protocols and holding staff training. What they’re saying Heather Stoner, GISD’s executive director for campus and student services, said Feb. 17 that campus administrators are going to participate in training for the district’s communication platform, ParentSquare. In addition to practicing response and addi- tional trainings at the campus level, Stoner said the district is creating resources to guide campus leaders in the event of a crisis and refining the district’s communication plan. She said administrators also made templates for communications through ParentSquare to enhance and streamline future messages.

Each campus will receive bond-funded upgrades, according to the district:

Forbes Middle School Renovations to existing fine arts spaces and new weight room addition East View High School Expand auditorium seating to somewhere between 800 and 850 seats, expand existing locker and weight rooms

SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

board’s consent agenda, and did not discuss the contract individually prior to approval. How we got here In May 2024, voters approved the use of $649 million in bonds for improvements to district facilities. Included in the $27.85 million Proposi- tion C is construction of a performing arts center at EVHS. Proposition D designated $3.85 million for the renovation and expansion of the weight and locker rooms at EVHS.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

Samsung commits $1.5M to ACC

Demographer estimates charter school’s impact With a new charter school set to open in August, Georgetown ISD demographer Bob Templeton, of Zonda Education, provided an outlook for how it could impact enrollment this fall. While Harmony Science Academy Georgetown’s total capacity at opening will be 750 students, Templeton said he estimates the impact to be about 350 students zoned for GISD leaving the district. What they’re saying The charter school’s opening has raised concern in budgetary discussions held by GISD, as a factor of uncertainty amid assessments of potential impacts, GISD’s Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Hanna said in a Feb. 3 board workshop. Despite the small setback, Templeton said the district is still on track to reach a total enrollment of 16,300 students by the 2029-30 school year,

Over the next five years, Samsung Austin Semiconductor is committing $1.5 million to the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Austin Community College. Officials made the announcement at ACC’s Highland Campus on Feb. 18. What you need to know Samsung’s investment will help support scholarships, expand program resources and enhance student services for the Texas A&M Engineering Academy, according to a news release. Additionally, the program can help students save up to $40,000 when they take up to four semesters at ACC, said Jon Taylor, Samsung executive vice president of infrastructure technology.

Charter school

166

1460

750 student capacity 350 students estimated to transfer from GISD

SOURCE: ZONDA EDUCATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

and 19,900 by the 2034-35 school year, as the area experiences housing growth. For the most part, charter schools are moving into Austin suburbs, he said, such as nearby Lean- der. Harmony Public Schools also broke ground on a campus there in May. “Leander’s had several charter schools open in the last couple of years, and so the charters are just moving into the north,” he said. “They’re also moving south as well.”

GEORGETOWN EDITION

Transportation

BY ANNA MANESS

Williamson County’s CR 255 expansion project is underway in Georgetown and set to wrap up by summer 2026. On Feb. 28, officials broke ground on the 3-mile project, which will remove sharp turns, improve safety and increase mobility, according to a county news release. Construction crews will create a new roadway with one lane in each direction from CR 254 to CR 289, expanding the road from its current one lane. Additionally, crews will extend CR 255 from CR 289 to Ronald Reagan Boulevard. Funding for the roughly $20.8 million project comes from the Williamson County Road & Bridge Fund, Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said. WilCo begins $20.8M project

What to expect

Future CR 255 two-lane road CR 255 extension to Ronald Reagan Blvd.

Eventually, CR 255 will become a six-lane, median divided roadway, per the Williamson County Long Range Transportation Plan. Additional lanes won’t be constructed until funding is available and the need arises, per the release. Covey said officials have acquired right of way for the road’s ultimate buildout. “We’ve got to have alternatives to [US] 183 and Williams Drive, and even Ronald Reagan [Boulevard],” Covey said. “That’s what we’re working on.” Covey said Williamson County is forward thinking when it comes to transportation. “We have not only planned out for the total buildout of the county through our Long Range Transportation Plan, but we’re implementing it,” she said.

254

289

183

289

255

Cost: $20.8M Funding source: Williamson County Road & Bridge Fund Estimated Project End: Summer 2026

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY CLAIRE SHOOP

DB Wood Road to see stop-and-go closures Stop-and-go lane closures on DB Wood Road can be expected throughout the next several months as traffic is reduced to one lane to allow for construction. What you need to know Drivers on DB Wood Road should be prepared to stop from Oak Ridge Road to Hwy. 29 and at some intersections, according to city information. Lanes will be closed from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday to allow for water line and road construction crews to work. Construction on Phase 1 of DB Wood Road improvements—from Oak Ridge Road to Hwy. 29— is expected to be complete in August, according to the city’s website. According to previous Community Impact reporting, Phase 1 is about 1.6 miles long, and includes creating:

5 traffic signals to come online this year Georgetown drivers can expect to see five new traffic signals throughout the city as officials prepare to bring them online. The gist According to information from the city, the traffic signals and their anticipated activations timelines are: • Sam Houston Avenue and Rockride Lane: Feb. 25 • Wolf Ranch Parkway and Southwest Bypass: spring 2025 • Wolf Ranch Parkway and Legacy Crossing: spring 2025 • Wolf Ranch Parkway and Rivery Driveway: spring 2025 • SE Inner Loop and Southwestern Boule- vard: spring 2025

DB Wood Rd. phase 2 DB Wood Rd. closures

OAK RIDGE RD.

N MAP NOT TO SCALE

• Four 12-foot-wide lanes • A 12-foot-wide center turn lane • A 10-foot-wide shared-use path

Phase 1 is projected to cost $28.99 million and was approved in Georgetown’s 2015 transportation bond. What’s next Phase 2 of construction—from Oak Ridge Road to Williams Drive—is expected to start in summer and wrap up in fall 2027, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

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GEORGETOWN EDITION

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GEORGETOWN

A place worth Protect in

Welcome to Georgetown’s legislative advocacy.

Several bills filed in the ongoing 89th Texas Legislative Session could affect the City’s ability to plan for and regulate growth at the local level. According to recent FlashVote polls, we know that is not what our residents want. While City leaders continue to meet with our state elected officials, they need to hear from our residents, too. Help us fight for what we love about our community. Reach out to your representatives today. For more information, visit georgetowntexas.gov/txlege.

#LoveWhereYouLive |

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Development

BY ANNA MANESS

A new outdoor event space in downtown Georgetown is projected to open in August. The Light and Water Works District project is situated between the Georgetown Public Library and the Light and Water Works building, according to previous Community Impact reporting. Upon completion, the space will include a stage, event lawn, shaded structure and food truck area. Construction for the Light and Water Works District began Jan. 17, and parking and driveway demolition on the project is complete, according to the city’s website. In addition to the district’s new festival space, the city’s Downtown Master Plan suggests transforming the water works building into a food or market hall. Work begins on city event space

Zooming out

Existing buildings Upcoming features Light and Water Works District

The Light and Water Works District is part of Georgetown’s $2.35 million City Center project, which looks to blend downtown buildings—such as the library, water works building and city hall—together. Discussions to create the communal event space date back to 2020, according to previous Community Impact reporting. While city documents previously showed construction finishing July 7 at the earliest, new city information shows the space will open Aug. 15.

W. 8TH ST.

Walkway

Georgetown library

Georgetown planning & development

Event lawn

Stage structure

Food truck parking

Shade structure

W. 9TH ST.

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

RENDERING COURTESY COVEY PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Home of the most inspired students, served by the most empowered leaders.

Inspiring and empowering every learner to lead, grow, and serve.

VISION

MISSION

As the second-fastest growing school district in the Austin metro area, we believe public education is the foundation of our evolving community, and we strive to provide unique learning opportunities that meet the diverse needs of every learner, no matter the circumstances. Georgetown ISD empowers students to achieve their full potential. This is GISD. THIS IS GISD

Learn more about us:

GEORGETOWN EDITION

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