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GEORGETOWN EDITION
VOLUME 16, ISSUE 10 JUNE 14JULY 18, 2023
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023
Meeting health demands
Bex+Co. providing shared workspace for hairstylists
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HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023 SPONSORED BY • Crestview Baptist Church • Georgetown Family Emergency Room • Georgetown Health Foundation Ocials combining eorts to address fentanyl overdoses
Health care
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Jeremy Landry, Williamson County emergency medical technician, unloads an ambulance at Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital.
GRANT CRAWFORDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
EMS, hospitals expanding services to keep up with patient population
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
Williamson County EMS Director Mike Knipstein said. “Our projections are that we would add at least one ambulance per year to keep up with the call volume.” Similar eorts are also underway at the city’s only hospital, St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, as the provider has taken steps to expand urgent care facilities, heart health care and the number of physicians in the city. Meanwhile, Ascension, one of the nation’s largest nonprot health sys- tems, is nearing completion on the rst phase of a new medical center in Georgetown where a host of outpa- tient services will be oered—all part
of a common eort to address a grow- ing and aging patient population. “AS LONG AS THE POPULATION CONTINUES TO INCREASE, THAT MEANS MORE PEOPLE EQUALS MORE CALL VOLUME.” MIKE KNIPSTEIN, WILLIAMSON COUNTY EMS DIRECTOR “[Georgetown] really has changed signicantly in a short period of time where you’re dealing with a lot of older adults, but on the other side of CONTINUED ON 38
As the city of Georgetown and Wil- liamson County continue to grow, the region’s network of health care pro- viders and rst responders is bringing more services to meet the area’s cur- rent and future needs. Emergency medical services crews are bolstering their numbers to respond to the increasing number of residents in and around the city. Both the Georgetown EMS and Williamson County EMS departments have plans to expand their eets. “As long as the population con- tinues to increase, that means more people equals more call volume,”
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM DENISE: I have lived in Texas my whole life and have never been one to su er from allergies, but over the last couple years that has denitely changed. When they hit, I can’t tell if I’m sick, if I should go to the doctor or if I should just wait it out. In this annual Health Care Edition, we give a breakdown of the most common allergens in Central Texas and when they are most prevalent along with details on symptoms and what causes these allergies (see Pages 28-29). Denise Seiler, GENERAL MANAGER
MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Denise Seiler EDITOR Claire Shoop REPORTER Grant Crawford
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Alissa Foss ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Dana Smyth METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Travis Baker MANAGING EDITOR Amy Denney COPY EDITOR Kasey Salisbury ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Rachal Elliott CONTACT US 16225 Impact Way, Ste. 1, Pugerville, TX 78660 • 5129896808 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES geonews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING geoads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron
FROM CLAIRE: In addition to the Allergy Guide, our June issue is packed with useful health care content. For our front-page story, Reporter Grant Crawford talked with local health care ocials about how they are evolving their services and planning future expansions to keep up with Georgetown’s rapidly growing population. Data released in May by the U.S. Census Bureau showed Georgetown was the fastest-growing city with a population of more than 50,000 for the second year in a row (see Page 15). Claire Shoop, EDITOR
Meet Travis Baker
Austin Metro Publisher
What’s your typical day as a CI Publisher? TB: One thing I love about my job is that no two days are the same, each lled with new challenges and opportunities. On average, my day starts with some internal meetings. Next, I am in the eld riding along with a sales rep to help pitch a local business as to why our advertising portfolio is the best investment they can make. Then I’m at a chamber networking event, and throughout the day I may be mixing in some editorial decisions on late breaking content, scheduling future stories, etc. Each day my calendar is booked, but rarely is there a day playing out as planned.
What’s your favorite memory working for CI? TB: I’ve had many great memories over my 13 years. One that sticks out the most is when we launched a paper in my hometown of New Braunfels and saw the emails ooding in after our rst delivery. I started documenting them, and when I got to page seven or eight, I realized it was never going to end. The launch was rewarding for myself and also the community.
Where might CI expand to next in your metro? TB: Good question. We have quite a few fans out there, and they are not shy to let us know where we’re needed. I’ve heard from people in Waco, Killeen, Temple, Bastrop and Highland Lakes, to name a few. I look forward to the day that every community across Texas has Community Impact serving it.
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GEORGETOWN EDITION • JUNE 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
border of Leander and Georgetown—in September. Tomlinson’s carries food, treats, toys, supplements and supplies for cats and dogs. The pet store also o ers services such as dental clinics, lost-pet microchip scans and a self-serve pet wash. The new store will be at 19380 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 410, Leander. www.tomlinsons.com 5 Flow Yoga is planning to open a new location at 900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 103, Georgetown, in mid-July. With multiple locations in the Austin area, Flow Yoga studios o er a variety of yoga, medita- tion and wellness classes each month for both groups and individuals, and its studios are suited for both heated and nonheated classes. 512-234-4616. www.owyogatx.com 6 International gym Orangetheory Fitness is planning an early fall open- ing for its Bar W Marketplace location. Workouts o ered include rowing, cardio and strength training. The new gym will be located at 19380 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Ste. 400, Georgetown, and it will be oper- ated by manager Kelsi Hancock. Orange- theory Fitness has other locations in both Leander and Georgetown. 512-553-3035. www.orangetheory.com/en-us 7 University Federal Credit Union will open a new location at 4409 Williams Drive, Georgetown, in the fall, a company representative said. A member-owned, nonpro¡t ¡nancial cooperative, the UFCU has multiple branches throughout Central Texas. www.ufcu.org 8 A new Chase Bank branch location will open in Bar W Marketplace in November or December, a company representative said. Operating nationwide, Chase Bank’s services include personal banking, credit cards, auto ¡nancing, mortgages, invest- ment advice and small-business loans. While there isn’t an exact address for this new branch, the bank will be located at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boule- vard and Hwy. 29. www.chase.com RELOCATIONS 9 Teal Sky Boutique owner Tammey Stokley moved her business to 1005 S. Rock St., Georgetown, on April 17. Previously located upstairs at Brazos 110 110 29 130 TOLL
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MAP NOT TO SCALE TM; © 2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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BLUE RIDGE DR.
NOW OPEN 1 Bex+Co. opened a seventh loca- tion at 1003 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 405, Georgetown, in mid-April. The hair salon follows a shared workspace model, allowing each stylist to work as an independent contractor and set their own prices. Seven stylists are working at the Georgetown site, where more than 20 stations are available. 512-821-2833. www.bexandcosalon.com
2 Wiseman Family Practice opened a new clinic June 1 at 1502 Blue Ridge Drive, Ste. 100, Georgetown. The family medicine practice o ers primary and preventive care, including pediatrics, women’s health, allergy treatment and chiropractic care, among other services. 512-345-3530. www.wisemanfamilypractice.com 3 The new H-E-B location at 1010 W. University Ave., Georgetown, opened June 7. According to the company, the 121,000-square-foot store’s design 35
has a “European village” feel, featuring two entry towers and pedestrian-friendly surroundings. It replaces the older store at 1100 S. I-35. The grocery store also includes a two-story True Texas BBQ restaurant. 512-930-5581. www.heb.com COMING SOON 4 Austin-based pet store Tomlinson’s Feed will open in the Bar W Marketplace retail center—which is located on the 1460 2
Dr. Craig P. Torres D.D.S., Endodontist Board Certied (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) 64 Years Combined Experience (Retired Army Dentists)
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Bex+Co.
Teal Sky Boutique
COURTESY BEX+CO. GEORGETOWN
GRANT CRAWFORD©COMMUNITY IMPACT
Market & Boutique at 820 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown, Teal Sky o ers a variety of boutique apparel, such as clothing, hats, jewelry, art, home goods and plants. 512-819-1883. www.tealskystudio.com EXPANSIONS 10 Goodwill Central Texas reopened its Georgetown location May 11 after being closed for an expansion since March 2. Located at 3010 Williams Drive, Ste. 137, Georgetown, the store was expanded by about 12,000 square feet, which increased the number of jobs available on-site by 10. Brian Smith, vice president of retail operations at Goodwill Central Texas, said the upgraded space will provide customers with a better shopping experience and allow Goodwill to con- tinue its mission of providing education
and career training. 512-868-9547. www.goodwillcentraltexas.org CLOSINGS 11 Gumbo’s North on the Square , a restaurant o ering Cajun and Creole dishes, closed in early April. According to the property owner, a new busi- ness is being planned for the space at 701 S. Main St., Georgetown. 12 Tuesday Morning , located at 1103 Rivery Blvd., Ste. 270, Georgetown, is expected to close by the end of June after the company ¡led for Chapter 11 bankrupt- cy, according to a store representative. The business, which o ers discounted home goods and decor, is having a going-out-of- business sale and received a new shipment of merchandise May 22. 512-864-9211. www.tuesdaymorning.com
TexBrötchen owner H.L. Fahnestock o ers an assortment of baked goods, including Apfel Zimt Schnecken, from his location in the back of Rentsch Brewery.
COURTESY TEXBRÖTCHEN
FEATURED IMPACT NOW OPEN A new German-inspired bakery, TexBrötchen , opened May 13 in the back of Rentsch Brewery at 2500 NE Inner Loop, Ste. 3105, Georgetown. The small-batch bakery does not have a standalone storefront but stocks an assortment of baked goods, including pretzels, in the Rentsch Brewery taproom. Owned by H.L. Fahnestock, the business provides a wider menu of fresh breads and pastries to order online for curbside pickup.
The menu will change on a regular basis, depending on what Fahnestock is
baking that day. 512-489-6617. www.texbrotchen.com
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GEORGETOWN EDITION • JUNE 2023
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TO DO LIST
June & July events
COMPILED BY GRANT CRAWFORD
JULY 13 HEAR FROM AN AUTHOR Lark & Owl Booksellers will host “The Bodyguard” author Katherine Center at First Presbyterian Church in George- town. Center will discuss her romantic novel, “Hello Stranger,” which follows an artist with a condition aecting her eyesight. 7-9 p.m. $29 (includes a copy of “Hello Stranger”). 703 S. Church St., Georgetown. 512-688-5582. www.larkandowlbooksellers.com 14 SWIM AND WATCH A MOVIE The Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department will have a “dive-in” movie night at Williams Drive Pool. Preregistration is required. “Luca” will begin around 8:30 p.m. Free (age 3 and under); $2 (ages 4-18 and 60 and older); $3 (ages 19-59). 3201 Williams Drive, Georgetown. 512-930-8468. https://parks.georgetown.org 21 DONATE BLOOD The Georgetown Recreation Center is partnering with We Are Blood to host a blood drive. Donors must be at least 17 years old, in good health, weigh more than 115 pounds and have a government- issued photo ID. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 1003 N. Austin Ave., Georgetown. 512-206-1242. www.wrbdonor.org
JUNE 21 WORK OUT IN THE PARK The Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department will host a Fitness in the Park event. Participants age 12 and older can improve their endurance by engaging in a high-low cardio session based on traditional aerobics. All tness levels are welcome. 7-8 p.m. Free (registration required). 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown. 512-930-3595. https://parks.georgetown.org 22 HEAR A BACH CONCERT The Texas Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra will perform three cantatas composed by Johann Sebastian Bach at The Worship Place. With the only festival in Central Texas dedicated to Bach, the nonprot aims to champion and advance the music of the baroque master as well as composers inspired by him. 8 p.m. $15 (students and active military), $25 (seniors), $30 (general admission). 811 Sun City Blvd., Georgetown. www.texasbachfestival.org 24 THROUGH 25 LEARN TO WEAVE Artist Cynthia Reid will lead a paper weaving workshop at the Georgetown Art Center, including lessons on working with dierent types of
papers. Using paper strips, warp and weft techniques, and other tools, participants can expect to nish at least four art pieces. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (June 24), noon-4 p.m. (June 25). $178. 816 S. Main St., Georgetown. 512-930-2583. www.georgetownartcentertx.org 28 ENJOY MUSIC AT THE PARK The Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department is hosting summer music series Live on the Lawn with local musicians at Garey Park. In the second of this three-part series, the West Texas Exiles will perform a blend of country, rock and Americana music. Food and beverage vendors will be on hand. 7-9 p.m. $5 (registration required). 6450 RM 2243, The Georgetown Palace Theater will present “Crazy For You,” a romantic comedy about a big-city banker who is sent to a town in Nevada to foreclose on an old theater. The man hopes to win the aection of the theater owner’s daughter by putting on a show to save the business. 7:30 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), 2 p.m. (Sun.). $17 (children), $36 (adults). 810 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown. 512-869-7469. www.georgetownpalace.com Georgetown. 512-930-3595. https://parks.georgetown.org 30 THROUGH JULY 30 SEE A PLAY
The Georgetown Sertoma Club’s Fourth of July celebration will include reworks. COURTESY CITY OF GEORGETOWN FEATURED EVENT Fourth of July Family Celebration The Georgetown Sertoma Club will host its annual patriotic celebration July 4 with food, live music and reworks. This year’s celebration will also include bounce houses, rides, ax throwing, laser tag, soccer drills, an auto show and an interactive play station. 11 a.m. (activities begin), 9:30 p.m. (reworks). Free. 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown 512-354-7707 www.georgetown4th.org
Find more or submit Georgetown events at communityimpact.com/event-calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
Join Us For Summer Fun! Verena at Leander is ready to celebrate this summer.
Guns & Hoses BBQ Benefit for Leander Police & Fire Friday, July 14th • 2:00 5:00pm Join us to celebrate and support the brave men and women of Leander Police and Fire. Tour the emergency vehicles and dance with live music.
RSVP for you and a friend to 512 591 5121. INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING 11350 Hero Way West Leander, TX 78641 www.VerenaAtLeander.com
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GEORGETOWN EDITION • JUNE 2023
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In June, we celebrate Pride Month and take a moment to recognize our residents and employees who have been historically marginalized or underrepresented as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In recognition of the month, Georgetown Public Library will have some displays and age- appropriate reading lists available for library patrons. For more information, visit library.georgetown.org.
#LoveWhereYouLive |
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Georgetown to plan expansion to transit services
COMPILED BY GRANT CRAWFORD
UPCOMING PROJECTS
SOUTHWESTERN BLVD.
The city of Georgetown is weighing the future of its public transit services and exploring what options are avail- able to expand or improve them. Georgetown City Council directed sta May 9 to develop a new Transit Development Plan, which would go into eect scal year 2025-26. Paratransit services—transpor- tation available to people with disabilities—have been in place since 2021, and Georgetown has also been oering rides for seniors for roughly six months. Based on data about the total number of rides given in recent months—more than 2,100 trips between October 2022-March 2023— council members decided those services should continue. Georgetown systems engineer Nathaniel Waggoner said roughly 10-20 seniors are signing up for services each month. While stores, multifamily housing and health care centers are among the highest destinations for the public, the city has also found individual
GETTING AROUND GEORGETOWN Between Oct. 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, Georgetown’s public transit services made 2,155 trips. Compared to the previous year, the city has seen an increase in monthly trips after it began oering rides for seniors within the community.
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FY 2022-2023
Rockride Lane expansion Design work is underway for a project to widen Rockride Lane to be a two-lane road with a center turn lane, on-street bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides. Taking place near Mitchell Elementary School, Wagner Middle School and Ride On Center for Kids, the project’s bound- aries are from SE Inner Loop to Sam Houston Avenue. The design, utility relocations and right-of-way work is expected to be done in late 2023 or early 2024 prior to construction. Timeline: mid-2024-early 2026 Cost: $5.8 million Funding source: city of Georgetown 2021 transportation bond
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a Lyft pilot program as well as explored options for micro-transit services, which often use virtual bus stops—created instantaneously based on convenience and safety—to pick up and drop o passengers. District 5 Council Member Kevin Pitts said he believes a rideshare option, such as a voucher program in which the city would pay for a portion of people’s rides, would be more ecient and scally responsible.
addresses to be frequent users of the transit program. “We do have riders who rely on the service for their weekly needs, if not daily,” Waggoner said. So [residential addresses] are some of our top origins and places people are coming and going from.” At $54 a trip in costs to the city, council members discussed how to lower the city’s expenses. Between 2017-21, the city conducted
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MAY 16. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT GEONEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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11
GEORGETOWN EDITION • JUNE 2023
AT THE CAPITOL
News from the 88th legislative session
QUOTE OF NOTE
Attorney General Ken Paxton impeached, suspended
NUMBER TO KNOW have set aside in a 1,030-page budget, which will fund a variety of state programs for scal years 2024 and 2025. $321B That’s how much Texas lawmakers PETER LAKE, OUTGOING CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS. LAKE RESIGNED JUNE 2. “TODAY OUR GRID IS MORE RELIABLE THAN EVER. TOGETHER WE’VE OVERCOME SOMETIMES SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE CHALLENGES AND DELIVERED ON OUR PROMISE TO TEXANS THAT WE’D KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.” UPDATES FROM LOCAL LEGISLATORS
BY HANNAH NORTON
A TIMELINE OF THE IMPEACHMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL KEN PAXTON
The Texas House impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 27 over allegations of bribery, conspiracy and other forms of misconduct. House lawmakers voted 121-23 to adopt 20 articles of impeachment against the third-term Republican. The House General Investigating Committee began a probe into Paxton’s alleged misconduct in March after he asked the Texas Legislature to use public funds to pay for a $3.3 million settlement between Paxton and four of his former employees. Paxton is suspended from oce without pay and barred from performing his ocial duties. Former Secretary of State John Scott will serve as interim attorney general, Gov. Greg Abbott announced May 31. Next, the Texas Senate will conduct a trial to determine if Paxton will be reinstated or permanently removed from oce. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will serve as the judge. Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin will prosecute Paxton during the trial, and Houston attorney Tony Buzbee will lead the legal team representing Paxton. If two-thirds of senators vote to convict Paxton on the impeachment charges, he will not be allowed to run for re-election or hold any other state oce in Texas. Paxton, who has denied the allegations, called the House’s vote to impeach him a “sham” and said he looked forward to “a quick resolution in the Texas Senate.”
FEB. 10 Paxton enters into a $3.3 million settlement agreement with four former employees who said they were wrongfully red in 2020. FEB. 21 Paxton asks the Texas Legislature to fund his settlement with taxpayer money. MARCH 820 House General Investigating Committee opens an investigation into Paxton and the proposed settlement. MAY 24 Attorneys present material from the investigation during a four-hour committee hearing. MAY 25 The committee unanimously adopts 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. The articles and a full transcript of the hearing are shared with House lawmakers. MAY 31 Gov. Greg Abbott appoints former Secretary of State John Scott to serve as interim attorney general. MAY 27 After four hours of debate, Texas House votes 121-23 to impeach Paxton. He is immediately suspended from oce. JUNE 20 Seven state senators will present the proposed rules for the impeachment trial to the full Senate. Once the rules are adopted, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will set a date for the trial. JUNE 1 Houston attorneys Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin are selected as prosecutors for the Texas Senate trial. SOURCE: TEXAS HOUSE GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEECOMMUNITY IMPACT
STATE REP. JAMES TALARICO
District 50 Democrat Elected: 2018
Texas lawmakers clash on property tax cuts
Texas Legislature expands rearm background checks
House Bill 2063 This bill, which would increase safety requirements at kennels, was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for approval May 18. Talarico said in a news release the bill was inspired by a 2021 re at Ponderosa Pet Resort in Georgetown that killed 75 dogs. The bill mandates kennels notify pet owners if pets will be left unattended or in a facility without a sprinkler system.
BY HANNAH NORTON
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF TAX RELIEF PLANS
After the Texas Legislature ended its regular legislative session May 29, Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to Austin for a 30-day special session to cut prop- erty taxes and increase penalties for human smuggling. The governor specied lawmakers should provide “lasting property tax relief for Texas taxpayers” by reduc- ing tax rates for public schools. The Texas House passed three bills May 30 that met the governor’s request and adjourned for the rest of the session. This left the Senate with two options: pass the House’s proposals or end the session without any bills being signed by the governor. Senators passed their own legislation but did not approve the House bills. All bills must be passed by both chambers to become law. Abbott said he would call a second special session to resolve the issue if lawmakers do not agree on a property tax proposal.
The Texas House and Senate advanced competing plans to cut property taxes May 30. Here’s what the two proposals could mean for homeowners. Both plans • Use $12.3B in state funds to compress school tax rates House Bill 1 • Reduce rates by $0.162 for every $100 of a home’s value Senate Bill 1 • Reduce rates by $0.10 for every $100 of a home’s value • Raise homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 Homestead exemption : the portion of a home’s value that cannot be taxed Tax rate compression : state provides money to public school districts to reduce their tax rates
BY HANNAH NORTON
Under a new law, federal law enforcement can access informa- tion about Texans with potentially harmful mental health conditions during the routine background checks completed before someone can buy a rearm. Senate Bill 728 requires county clerks to notify the Texas Depart- ment of Public Safety if a court determines an adult with a mental illness or intellectual disability is unt to go to trial, is not responsi- ble for their own actions, or needs inpatient services or residential long-term care. State Rep. Je Leach, RPlano, said the law does not impact responsible gun owners but will “[keep] rearms out of the hands of dangerous Texans who do not need to have them.” Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill June 2. It will become law Sept. 1.
STATE REP. CAROLINE HARRIS
District 52 Republican Elected: 2022
Sign up for our newsletter at communityimpact.com for daily updates throughout the session. SUBSCRIBE TODAY House Bill 608 Harris is a joint author of this bill—which was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for approval May 22—that permits county commissioners courts to allow retail rework sales ve days before the rst day of Diwali through midnight on the last day of Diwali. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated in Indian religions, including Hinduism.
SOURCES: TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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13
GEORGETOWN EDITION • JUNE 2023
EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Georgetown ISD & Texas
COMPILED BY GRANT CRAWFORD
HIGHLIGHTS GEORGETOWN ISD On May 16, the Georgetown ISD Education Foundation awarded 19 grants totaling $63,429 to teachers at 14 campuses across the district. The grants, which can be for as much as $5,000 a piece, go toward funding creative projects teachers brainstormed and presented the foundation. This year’s projects include those related to virtual reality, bees and monarch butteries, and dyslexia. TEXAS In April, students began standardized testing through a completely online format after legislators called for a revamped test in 2019. The redesigned test features more question varieties and changes to written essay prompts. A Texas Education Agency spokesperson said the changes aligned the assessment with the classroom experience. Georgetown ISD board of trustees will meet June 19 and July 17 at 7 p.m. in the Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning at 507 E. University Ave., Georgetown. 512-943-5000. www.georgetownisd.org MEETINGS WE COVER
Georgetown ISD raises salaries 3%, ups starting teacher pay
Board selects criteria for next top leader GEORGETOWN ISD The board of trustees approved a candidate prole June 1 as the district searches for a new superintendent this summer. Hazard, Young and Attea Associates, the rm leading the search process, collected survey results from more than 1,000 people about the criteria it should seek when reviewing superin- tendent candidates. In a report to the board of trustees, HYAA wrote the leading concern raised was the fast-growth nature of the district and that GISD’s next leader should have expertise in that area. Other top competencies selected for the next superintendent include recruiting and retaining personnel, fostering a positive and professional climate, establishing a culture of high expectations, providing transparent communication, providing guidance for curriculum and instruction, and understanding educational research and new best practices.
GEORGETOWN ISD The board of trustees approved a 3% general pay increase for all GISD employ- ees May 15. The pay raise, recommended by GISD human resources sta in alignment with the district’s strategic priority of sta retention and recruitment, will go into eect for the 2023-24 school year. It brought the starting salary for teachers from around $52,800 to $54,450. The raise also increased the minimum hourly wage across the district to $15. “We feel this recommenda- tion is in line with our strategic priority areas in the area of sta retention and recruitment,” said Sue Harrison, executive director of human resources. The board also approved adjustments in the pay scale for teachers with experience ranging
BENEFIT BREAKDOWN
The board-approved 2023-24 compensation plan includes the following:
pay raise for all GISD employees 3%
per hour minimum wage $15 starting teacher salary $54,450
SOURCE: GEORGETOWN ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
from 10-29 years, and the district increased its employer contribution toward employee medical expenses from $378 a month to $422 a month.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
CITY & COUNTY
News from Georgetown, Williamson County & Texas
6 of the 15 fastest-growing US cities are in Texas TEXAS Six of the 15 fastest-growing cities by percent change in the nation with a population of more than 50,000 people are located in Texas, according to data released May 18 by the U.S. Census Bureau. This includes the fastest-growing BY CLAIRE SHOOP Rank 1 Georgetown 75,620 86,507 City Population July 1, 2021 Population July 1, 2022
Georgetown City Council will meet June 27 and July 11 at 6 p.m. at 510 W. Ninth St., Georgetown. 512-930-3652. https://georgetown.org Williamson County Commissioners Court will meet June 27, and July 11 and 18 at 9:30 a.m. at 710 S. Main St., Georgetown. 512-943-1100. www.wilco.org MEETINGS WE COVER Workshop, the rm updating the city of Georgetown’s Downtown Master Plan, has received feedback from surveys and will move forward with developing projects to improve downtown. Public input showed a desire to protect the historic integrity of the Square, prioritize pedestrian-friendly spaces and improve connections through downtown. WILLIAMSON COUNTY Although the median sales valuation of homes in Williamson County decreased about 12% year over year, Alvin Lankford, chief appraiser of the Williamson Central Appraisal District, said in a presentation to Commissioners Court the total market value of the county rose $5 billion. WILLIAMSON COUNTY Commissioners Court approved a $100,000 grant for the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter at a June 6 meeting. The grant from nonprot organization Petco Love is awarded to entities who reduce euthanasia and euthanize animals responsibly. Under the shelter’s no-kill status, it saves 90% or more of its animals. The shelter is expected to use the money to fund a new position, continue its partnership with nonprot NUMBER TO KNOW This is the estimated population increase for the city of Georgetown from July 1, 2021- July 1, 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 10,887 HIGHLIGHTS GEORGETOWN Several initiatives within Georgetown’s Capital Improvement Plan are underway, including the design process for a new downtown city center and renovations to a re station. Phase 1 of the downtown city center—between the Georgetown Public Library, and Light and Water Works building—is set to begin this fall and be complete by spring 2024. GEORGETOWN Design organization Jail to Jobs and support animal wellness in the community.
RISING NUMBER OF RESIDENTS The city of Leander ranked fourth in the U.S. Census Bureau’s list of the fastest- growing cities with more than 50,000 residents. This chart shows the six Texas cities that ranked in the top 15.
Percent change
14.4% 10.9% 10.9%
city, Georgetown, which held on to the top spot for the second year in a row. Its population increased 14.4% year over year from 75,620 to 86,507. The data released estimates the population as of July 1, 2022 and compares it to July 1, 2021. The big picture: Texas took four of the top ve spots with Kyle, Leander and Little Elm ranking third, fourth and fth, respectively. Diving in deeper: Texas also had six cities on the list of the top 15 cities with the largest population growth
3 4
Kyle
95,438 99,032 51,238 51,838 67,093
57,470 74,375 55,357
Leander
5
Little Elm
8%
Conroe
101,405 104,707
6.3% 5.7%
11 13
New Braunfels
NOTE: DESPITE ITS POPULATION INCREASING BY 39.97% TO 9,099 AS OF JULY 1, 2022, THE CITY OF LIBERTY HILL IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO BE INCLUDED IN THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU’S ANALYSIS. SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU¡COMMUNITY IMPACT
Williamson County cities making pitches for bond funding category, adding 18,889 people. • Georgetown—the only city in Texas to rank on both lists—Hous- ton, Dallas and Frisco also made the top 15.
by numeric change. • Fort Worth topped that list, adding 19,170 people from July 1, 2021, to July 1, 2022. • San Antonio ranked third in that
Two Step Inn festival to return in 2024
LESSONS LEARNED While City Council members and parks sta deemed the county music festival a success, they identied areas to improve.
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
Adding additional shuttle parking as demand outpaced supply Meeting with cell service providers to improve connections during the festival as the service area was overloaded Working with business owners to facilitate business at brick-and- mortar locations in the area
GEORGETOWN City Council opted to renew an agreement with festival presenter C2 Acquisitions May 23, making way for Two Step Inn Festival to return to the city next year with 35,000 available tickets and proposed dates of April 20-21. The Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation received over $1.2 million from the festival. Those dollars will go to the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department.
BY GRANT CRAWFORD
WILLIAMSON COUNTY Residents could vote on a transportation bond in November as a committee of citizens is assessing the region’s needs. Several cities have sent their project proposals to the Williamson County Citizens Bond Committee, which met throughout May. The committee plans to bring a recommendation by June 27.
SOURCE: CITY OF GEORGETOWN COMMUNITY IMPACT
Squirrels costing Williamson County ‘hundreds of thousands of dollars’ WILLIAMSON COUNTY Judge Bill Gravell said he’s gained a new “political foe” unlike any he has encountered before: squirrels. “Those squirrels, literally, have cost us hundreds of BY GRANT CRAWFORD After squirrels damaged an electrical transformer powering two chiller systems for the Williamson County Justice Center, o¥cials have brought in temporary equipment to cool the building. SQUIRREL DAMAGE
thousands of dollars,” Gravell said in a May 23 Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting. “There is no telling how much money we’ve actually spent on squirrels.” According to the county, squirrels recently grounded out a city of Georgetown electrical service pole transformer, causing damage to two chillers and other equipment at the Williamson County Justice Center.
Approximately $400,000 for new chillers $13,600 a month for temporary chiller New permanent chillers to arrive April 2024
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY¡COMMUNITY IMPACT
15
GEORGETOWN EDITION • JUNE 2023
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16
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
REGIONAL GUIDE
A noncomprehensive guide to regional hike and bike trails
4
7
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Hamilton Pool Preserve
COURTESY CITY OF AUSTIN
COURTESY TRAVIS COUNTY
COMPILED BY CARSON GANONG Central Texas is home to hundreds of miles of trails with options for the most casual or experienced hikers as well as bikers and wilderness enthusiasts. The following list is noncomprehensive. SOURCES: CITY OF AUSTIN & COMAL, HAYS, TRAVIS AND WILLIAMSON COUNTIESCOMMUNITY IMPACT
10
11
KEY
H Hiking
B Biking
E Elevation gains
Comal County 1 P anther Canyon Nature Trail is a gently sloping pedestrian trail that begins near the headwaters of the Comal River and leads hikers through almost a mile of the Balcones Escarpment. H E Distance: 1 mile Located at Landa Park Drive and Ohio Street in New Braunfels www.comaltrails.org/trails/panther-canyon Hays County 2 Purgatory Creek Natural Area features a series of trails popular among hikers and mountain bikers as well as bird watchers and nature explorers. H B Distance: 12 miles 2102 Hunter Road, San Marcos www.sanmarcostx.gov 3 San Marcos River Walk is a paved trail that runs along a portion of the San Marcos River, passing through the San Marcos City Park and Rio Vista Park along the way. H Distance: 2.4 miles 170 Charles Austin Drive, San Marcos Travis County 4 Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail , named after a former Austin mayor
and his wife, runs largely along the banks of Lady Bird Lake. H B Distance: 10 miles One entrance is near the intersection of River- side Drive and Blunn Creek in Austin www.austintexas.gov 5 Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail is a mod- erately challenging trail traveling along Barton Creek that is rocky and rugged in many places. H B E Distance: 12.68 miles 3755B Capital of Texas Hwy., Austin www.austintexas.gov 6 Gilleland Creek Trail begins at Gilleland Creek Park and continues along the creek of the same name. H B Distance: 4.1 miles
Spicewood Valley Trail
Brushy Creek Regional Trail
COURTESY CITY OF AUSTIN
COURTESY WILLIAMSON COUNTY
13 Kensington Greenbelt Trail is a paved neighborhood trail that is almost entirely at and features a playground at one point along its length. H B Distance: 0.53 miles 1891 Oxford Blvd., Round Rock www.roundrocktexas.gov 14 Lake Creek Trail travels along Lake Creek Park, connecting Parmer Lane to Broadmeade Avenue and passing through the Town & Country sports elds along the way. H B Distance: 1.5 miles 9504 Braes Valley St., Austin www.wilco.org 15 Old Settlers Park Trail is a paved trail in Old Settlers Park passing by the Dell Dia- mond, the soccer complex, and the Rabb and Lakeview pavilions. H B Distance: 3.3 miles 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock www.roundrocktexas.gov 16 Pickett Trail is a short urban trail that begins at Blue Hole Park and overlooks the San Gabriel River at several points along its length. H E Distance: 0.5 miles 100 Blue Hole Park Road, Georgetown https://parks.georgetown.org 17 San Gabriel River Trail is a mostly granite and concrete trail that begins at San Gabriel Park and travels along a section of the San Gabriel River. H B E Distance: more than 3 miles
H B Distance: 3.3 miles
18216 Weiss Lane, Pugerville https://parks.pugervilletx.gov
9 River Place Trail System is a series of shady trails near West Lake Hills that includes a variety of diculties with some narrow rocky trails and other more casual hikes. Entry costs $10 per hiker on weekends and holidays. H B E Distance: 3 miles 4998 River Place Blvd., Austin www.riverplacelimiteddistrict.org 10 Spicewood Valley Trail is a trail in North- west Austin that passes through dense woods and includes a waterfall along its length. H B Distance: 1.32 miles Located on Callanish Park Drive across from Mountain View Park in Austin www.austintexas.gov Williamson County 11 Brushy Creek Regional Trail is a mostly paved trail that begins in Round Rock and ends in Cedar Park, passing though several city parks along the way. H B Distance: 7.75 miles 204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park www.wilco.org 12 Good Water Trail is a lengthy trail be- ginning at Georgetown’s Cedar Break Park that almost completely encircles Lake Georgetown. H E Distance: 16.5 miles 2100 Cedar Breaks Road, Georgetown
700 N. Railroad Ave., Pugerville https://parks.pugervilletx.gov
7 Hamilton Pool Preserve is a steep quar- ter-mile footpath that ends at the Hamilton Pool Preserve. Entry costs $8 per hiker over 12 years old and $12 per vehicle. H E Distance: 0.25 miles 24300 Hamilton Road, Dripping Springs https://parks.traviscountytx.gov 8 Lake Pugerville Trail is a 3-mile gravel trail that loops around the entirety of Lake Pugerville.
HIKE PREPARED Trail visitors should be prepared before their hike or excursion with adequate supplies for hydration, protection from the outdoor elements and other essentials. In almost all these hiking areas, uneven surfaces and slick rocks are common, and encounters are possible with snakes, bees, wasps and mosquitoes. Hikers should bring or have available:
Water Food Proper shoes Sun protection Insulation Bug spray Socks
445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown https://parks.georgetown.org
SOURCES: COMAL TRAILS ALLIANCE, NATIONAL PARK SERVICECOMMUNITY IMPACT
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GEORGETOWN EDITION • JUNE 2023
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