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Award winners announced in Texas Society of Sculptors Annual Summer Show
The Texas Society of Sculptors announced the award winners for its 13th Annual Summer Show at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St., on Aug. 15. A video of the award presentations, including views of the winning pieces, is available at library.georgetown.org/tsos-awards.
Library Director Sally Miculek presented the Librarians’ Choice and People’s Choice awards. She then introduced the awards juror for the summer sculpture show: Graeme Durant, assistant curator at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum.
Durant presented the awards for first, second, and third places, as well as three honorable mentions.
Award winners are:
People’s Choice: “And He Did Ride” by Ronnie Wells
Librarians’ Choice: “Carol’s Bouquet” by Ken Law
First Place: “Rapunzel’s Tower Under the Full Moon” by Valérie Chaussonnet
Second Place: “1.618” by Evan Horne
Third Place: “Pirate’s Woman” by James R. Woodruff
Honorable mention: “Ready for Takeoff” by Dar Richardson
Honorable mention: “Jave” by Ken Law
Honorable mention: “Laugh, You Jester. You Are Not Allowed to Cry” by Czes Sornat
Each award is accompanied by a cash prize. The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board provided a total of $2,200 to fund the awards.
The Texas Society of Sculptors 13th Summer Sculpture Show in the Georgetown Public Library lasts through Sept. 17. This exhibit, hosted by the library with sponsorship from the City of Georgetown Arts and Culture Board, features 78 works of sculpture by 40 artists.
“The Georgetown Public Library offers an excellent environment for viewing art, most of which are available for purchase,” Miculek said. “We are thrilled to once again have this exhibit and hope even more library patrons will come visit to see these stunning pieces while they’re still in our community.”
For more information about this year’s exhibit and events, contact Technical Services Librarian Dana Hendrix at dana.hendrix@georgetown.org or TSOS Exhibit Coordinator Linda Wilde at lzorawilde@gmail.com.
Candidates set for Nov. 2 election
The filing period for the special election on Nov. 2 for the District 6 City Council seat ended at 5 p.m. Aug. 16.
Candidates include Jake French and Chere Heintzmann.
To see maps of council districts, go to maps.georgetown.org/council-district-maps.
The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 2 election is Oct. 4.
Early in-person voting is Oct. 18-29. In the early voting period, voters may cast ballots at any early voting location in Williamson County. Early voting polling places, dates, and times will be listed at wilco.org/elections.
On Election Day on Nov. 2, voters may cast ballots at any vote center location in Williamson County. Polling places, dates, and times will be listed at wilco.org/elections.
For details about the city election, go to government.georgetown.org/city-secretary/elections.
City asks for residents’ feedback about next year’s budget
The City of Georgetown is asking the public to share comments on the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget through an online comment box, which will be up through Sept. 5. Members of the public also can attend any of the public hearings through the budget adoption process. Public comments and feedback will be provided to City Council for its Sept. 14 meeting, during which the council is scheduled to hold public hearings and first readings of both the tax rate and the budget.
The proposed budget totals $483 million and decreases the City’s property tax rate by 1.7 cents (from 41.8 cents per $100 valuation to 40.1 cents). This is the second year in a row the City has proposed reducing the property tax rate, maintaining the City’s rate as the lowest of all cities in the Austin area with a population greater than 20,000. Council also recently voted to increase the homestead exemption to the greater of $5,000 or 3 percent, contributing to $370,000 in additional taxpayer relief. However, because property values in Georgetown increased 15.4 percent, the average homeowner in Georgetown is expected to pay $56 more in property taxes in the upcoming year.
“We anticipated and budgeted for an economic slowdown last year, but we actually saw considerable acceleration,” City Manager David Morgan said. “Next year’s preliminary budget continues our usual practices of budgeting conservatively and taking steps to reduce the burden on taxpayers while investing in the additional resources needed to keep up with our sustained, exponential growth. This preliminary budget is just the first step in the budget process. I hope residents will check out our website to learn more and share their feedback, so we can fund programs and services that meet their needs and priorities.”
The City of Georgetown budget affects every resident in the city. How the City allocates taxpayer dollars and monthly costs as utility customers determines the level of service customers get in return for City functions, such as providing electricity, drinking water, resources to respond to emergencies, well-maintained streets, a world-class library, and accessible trails.
City staff used the results of recent public feedback opportunities, including the 2020 resident survey and council goals, to develop a preliminary version of next year’s budget, which spans Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022. Staff presented the preliminary budget to City Council on July 26, and the council continued the discussion during its July 27 workshop. The workshops gave the council a chance to weigh options and provide direction so staff could come back Aug. 10 with a proposed budget that reflects their feedback as well.
Major themes of the proposed budget are investing in transportation and utility infrastructure, public safety, and customer services, as well as providing the staffing, equipment, and software needed for record-setting growth and development. Adequately funding those priorities—particularly transportation and water capital improvement projects ($90 million), public safety investments, and staffing and resources needed to maintain service levels during Georgetown’s sustained period of high growth—contributed to the preliminary budget being $87 million (or 18 percent) more than the current fiscal year’s budget of $396 million.
For more information about the annual budget process and details and documents about the preliminary FY2022 budget, visit finance.georgetown.org.
Budget adoption timeline
July 26 & 27: Council budget workshops
Aug. 10: First presentation of the full budget; City Council sets maximum tax rate and public hearing dates
Sept. 5: Comments on draft budget close (see form online)
Sept. 14: Public hearings and first reading of both the tax rate and the budget
Sept. 28: Second reading and final adoption of the tax rate and budget
City Council calls City Charter amendments election for Nov. 2
City of Georgetown voters will have the chance to vote on amendments to the City’s charter during the Nov. 2 election. City Council called the election during its Aug. 10 meeting.
The City Charter is the legal document establishing a municipality and defines the structure, powers, functions, and procedures of local government.
City Staff and members of the council-appointed Charter Review Committee identified several potential charter amendments, which were presented to the council at its May 25 workshop for discussion and direction from City Council. Council direction was sent back to the committee for consideration and to be drafted into a final report that outlined the committee’s recommendations to the council.
The proposed amendments include changes related to:
- Term limits
- Council qualifications
- Council vacancies
- Rules of procedures
- Procedures to enact legislation
- Franchise agreement notifications
- Public lead initiative, referendum, and recall requirements
- City structure language
Details of the proposed amendments can be found at Georgetown.org/2021-charter-amendment-election.
The last day to register to vote for the November election is Oct. 4.
Early in-person voting is Oct. 18-29. Early voting and Election Day polling places, dates, and times will be listed at wilco.org/elections.
National Night Out on Oct. 5
National Night Out, an annual event to support safe neighborhoods, is on Tuesday, Oct. 5, in Georgetown. Block parties are being organized from 6 to 9 p.m.
Last year, National Night Out block parties were held virtually due to the pandemic. This year, as block party activities return throughout Georgetown, the City encourages residents to continue to physically distance and use proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If your neighborhood is hosting a block party and would like Georgetown Police Department officers, other local law enforcement officers, elected officials, Georgetown firefighters and EMS technicians, or other City employees to attend, please register by Sept. 16.
The Georgetown Police Department is hosting a reception for hosts of NNO block parties 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, 3500 D.B. Wood Road.
For details about National Night Out in Georgetown and to register your block party, go to pd.georgetown.org/national-night-out.
Public invited to cast ballots for People’s Choice Award in library sculpture exhibit
For 13 years, Georgetown Public Library has hosted the Texas Society of Sculptors’ annual summer show. The competitive, juried exhibit is a popular tradition in Georgetown that includes sculptures throughout the building on both the first and second floors. Participating sculptors from across the state work in wood, glass, bronze, ceramics, and more. Most pieces in the exhibit are available for purchase.
This year’s exhibit opened Sunday, June 20, and lasts through Friday, Sept. 17. The show includes a People’s Choice Award decided by library visitors, who cast votes for their favorite three pieces out of the 78 pieces in the show. To cast a vote, pick up a ballot in the library’s lobby and place it in the ballot box no later than 5 p.m. Saturday, July 31. The sculptor of the piece with the most votes will be awarded the People’s Choice Award and a cash prize.
Prizes determined by this year’s exhibit juror, Graeme Durant, curatorial assistant at Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum, include first, second, and third place, as well as three honorable mentions. These will be announced Aug. 15, in addition to the People’s Choice and Librarians’ Choice awards. Prizes are funded by the City of Georgetown Arts and Culture Board.
The library will also host a sculpture demonstration featuring several of this year’s sculptors demonstrating various techniques and processes. The free event will be held in the library lobby, 402 W. Eighth St., from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11.
For more information about this year’s exhibit and events, contact Technical Services Librarian Dana Hendrix at dana.hendrix@georgetown.org or TSOS Exhibit Coordinator Linda Wilde at lzorawilde@gmail.com.
City to host household hazardous waste event Sept. 15
The City will host a free household hazardous waste collection event from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 15 at the old show barn site in San Gabriel Park, 425 E. Morrow St.
The event will be available for up to 300 Georgetown solid waste customers who have solid waste service through Texas Disposal Systems. Customers must contact Customer Care at 512-930-3640 or customercare@georgetown.org to have their name placed on a list. Please include your name, address, and utility account number when emailing customer care. Customers must have their name on the list to participate.
Residents must remain in their vehicles during the no-contact collection. Staff will unload items from the back seat or trunk of the vehicle.
All items to be dropped off must be in their marked original containers. Commercial disposal and trailers are not allowed.
Acceptable items include:
- Batteries (household, hearing aids, cell phone, etc.)
- Automobile batteries
- Pool and spa chemicals
- Used oil/oil filters (up to five gallons per vehicle)
- Transmission fluid
- Light bulbs (including regular, compact, and four-foot fluorescent)
- Grease
- Thermometers
- Over the counter, residential lawn and garden chemicals
- Aerosols
- Household cleaners and disinfectants marked caution, warning, or poison
- Art and hobby chemicals
- Paint (up to 10 gallons per vehicle)
- Over the counter one-pound disposal propane bottles
- Gasoline (up to five gallons per vehicle)
Unacceptable items include:
- Unmarked containers or unknown chemicals
- Construction, commercial, or landscape waste
- Professional, concentrated chemicals that require a professional license to mix
- Medications or pharmaceuticals
- Oxygen tanks
- Electronics
- Tires
- Explosives (including ammunition and fireworks)
- Radioactive materials
- Biological materials
Additional household hazardous waste collection events are being planned for 2021.
For more information about the City’s solid waste and recycling services, visit recycle.georgetown.org.
Williamson County will also host a household hazardous waste collection event open to all county residents this fall. Once finalized, information will be available by calling 512-759-8881, option 4, or visiting https://bit.ly/3648ZYX.
Georgetown Arts and Culture Board awards grants for 2021 Round II
The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board approved $12,650 in grants in July to local arts and culture organizations to help with funding local arts and culture programming that includes visual art, music, performance art, and history in Georgetown.
The funding is for events in Georgetown taking place between Oct. 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.
Grant recipients include:
| Project or event name | Grant amount |
| Central Texas Philharmonic, Inc., the Patriotic Pops Concert by The Central Texas Philharmonic | $5,000 |
| Congregation Havurah Shalom for the ANNE FRANK – Let Me Be Myself Traveling Exhibit | $2,500 |
| Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Society the Spring Concert in Georgetown | $2,500 |
| Georgetown Texas Photography Festival for the Georgetown Texas Photography Festival 2022 | $1,250 |
| Preservation Georgetown for Art at Grace Heritage – Hidden Gems of Georgetown | $500 |
| Artists Molly Fonseca & Kayur Patel for the Healing Artists Workshop and Performance – Stories of Our People | $500 |
| Gary Anderson dba AndersonArt for Jingle Georgetown | $400 |
The next grant cycle will accept proposals Dec. 1 -31, 2021, for events and programs occurring April 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022.
For more information about the Georgetown Arts & Culture grants, visit arts.georgetown.org.
‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ screened at back-to-school teen movie night
The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department presents “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (PG-13) on Friday, Aug. 6, in San Gabriel Park as part of its annual Sunset Movie Series.
The free, community event will take place in the Legacy pavilion in San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St. Free parking is available throughout the park.
The movie starts at dusk, around 8:30 p.m. Moviegoers are welcome to bring blankets, chairs, and picnics. Come early for free popcorn, to explore the park, and to visit with vendors.
The movie is rated PG-13. Parents are urged to be cautious, as some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.
For more details, visit parks.georgetown.org/sunset-movie-series.
Proposed Voluntary Annexation of 20 Acres (Westinghouse Road ROW)
The City of Georgetown is considering a voluntary annexation of property into the city limits. A Public Hearing will be held at the August 10, 2021 meeting at 6:00pm. City Council meetings are located at the City Council Chambers, 510 W. 9th Street. Due to operational constraints resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting may be held via the video conference. The final location of the meeting and instructions on how to join via the video conference or call in number meeting will be posted with the meeting agenda at agendas.georgetown.org the Friday prior to the meeting.
The area being considered for voluntary annexation is approximately a 20.00 acres of City-owned Right-of-Way situated in part in the J Patterson Survey, Abstract No. 502 and the Barney C. Low Survey Abstract No. 385, a right-of-way of varying width described to the City of Georgetown, Texas, generally located on Westinghouse Road to be known as the Westinghouse Road (2021-3-ANX).
After holding the required public hearings, the City Council will consider an ordinance for the annexation.
For additional information, please contact Cesar Acosta in the Planning Department, 512-930-6652 or email at cesar.acosta@georgetown.org
