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City Council adopts FY2023 budget that focuses on maintaining service levels

The Georgetown City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2023 budget Sept. 13. The adopted FY2023 budget totals $722 million and decreases the City’s property tax rate by 2.7 cents.

By lowering the rate to 37.4 cents per $100 of valuation and accounting for the increase in homestead exemption, the average property tax bill is expected to increase by $56. Without lowering the tax rate or increasing the homestead exemption, the average taxpayer would see an increase of $178 to their tax bill.

Following cost recovery analyses across multiple departments and a water and wastewater rate study, Georgetown residents and customers can expect several user fees and water and wastewater rates to increase as well.

“The adopted budget is going to help make sure City staff and programs can keep pace with Georgetown’s rapid growth and the increased demands on our infrastructure and resources that come with it,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said. “In the next year, residents are going to see their dollars hard at work, with continued investments in transportation and water infrastructure, customer service, and public safety, so we can maintain the high level of service our residents expect.”

The adopted budget did not change from the proposed budget, which is provided online at finance.georgetown.org. The adopted budget book will be available later this year.

Major themes of the adopted budget are maintaining service levels in the face of record-setting growth and responding to nationwide economic pressure while executing studies and projects initiated this year, addressing staff workload pressures, improving risk management practices, and responding to a tight labor market through retention and attraction efforts. Adequately funding those priorities—particularly building the infrastructure needed to keep pace with growth, responding to development pressures, and retaining and recruiting high-caliber employees—contributed to the proposed budget being $239.5 million more than the current fiscal year’s original adopted budget of $483 million.

Highlights of the adopted budget include:

79.5 positions, the majority of which are in the water, public safety, and engineering departments
Responding to pressures from development and record-setting growth: 129 percent increase in single-family building permits from 2019 to 2022; consistently more than 100 active public infrastructure construction sites in the city; 55 percent growth in population served by Water Utility since 2016
Cost of service increases due to supply chain challenges and inflation. Several City expenses saw inflation increase by 20 percent.
Employee recruitment and retention: The City’s turnover rate is expected to be 17 percent by the end of the year – higher than usual, but lower than nationwide trends. The budget includes increasing average merit pay to 5 percent, conducting additional market reviews for City positions, adding holidays, and authorizing overhiring in certain departments.
Risk management, including adding staffing in finance, electric, water, and emergency management and contracting support for legal, real estate, and inspections
A strong projected electric fund balance of $49.4 million and investments in staffing, technology, and infrastructure to maintain system reliability.
Long-range water supply planning, staffing, and resiliency programs to ensure water demands in the City’s water service area meet current and future growth.
Significant investment in transportation, including additional staffing, intersection and sidewalk improvements, and additional resources to ensure 2021 mobility bond projects are started within the next three years.

For more information, visit finance.georgetown.org.

Street resurfacing projects begin

Street resurfacing projects, including a high-performance surface sealant treatment and hot-in-place recycling, will be completed this fall with work starting Sept. 14.

The work schedule can be affected by weather conditions, mechanical issues, and product availability. For updates on the paving schedule and a complete list of projects, visit transportation.georgetown.org/2022-street-maintenance-projects.

Streets are selected for resurfacing treatments based on the Pavement Condition Index study that grades roadway surface conditions and recommends treatments based on road conditions and traffic volumes. The last study was completed in 2018. An update was recent authorized by City Council and results are expected in early to mid-2023.

The City is using two types of street resurfacing products:

High-performance surface seal

As part of this surface treatment, a sealant is applied to the surface of the roadway, reducing damage from UV radiation, water, and vehicle traffic.

Sealant work is scheduled to start Sept. 14 in Churchill Farms, Georgetown Crossing, and Meadows of Georgetown. On the day work is scheduled, the streets will be closed to traffic for 24 hours. Streets will be blocked off at 8 a.m. and will be reopened the following day at 8 a.m.

The schedule for this work and sealant work in other neighborhoods will be updated on this page and via Next Door and flyers will be placed on doors as work is scheduled.

Street sealant work is planned for streets in Georgetown Village and portions of Sun City later this fall.

Hot-in-place recycling

Hot-in-place recycling is an alternative to mill and asphalt overlay in which existing pavement is heated, removed, ground, and mixed with new material to create a new asphalt surface. This process is completed in a single pass with multiple machines in line to decrease the street closure timeline.

Streets in residential neighborhoods along Williams Drive near Lakeway Drive and in the northwest portion of downtown are scheduled for repaving this fall. The schedule will be updated on this page and via Next Door and flyers will be placed on doors as work is scheduled.

Streets will not be closed during hot-in-place repaving; however, drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to choose alternate routes. Flaggers will be present to assist drivers.

For questions about street maintenance projects, contact customercare@georgetown.org.

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Labor Day closings

City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed Monday, Sept. 5, for the Labor Day holiday. This includes these locations:

Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
Animal Shelter, 110 Walden Drive
Art Center, 816 S. Main St.
City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
Council and Courts Building (including Municipal Court), 510 W. Ninth St.
Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.
Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.
Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records, and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood Road
Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave. The center will be closed Sept. 5-11 for preventive maintenance.
Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive
Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.

Facilities open

Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Labor Day pool and aquatics schedule

The Williams Drive Pool, 3201 Williams Drive, will be open 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 5. Find information at parks.georgetown.org/williams-drive-pool. Other outdoor, seasonal pools have closed for the summer season.

The splash pads at San Jose Park, 1707 San Jose St.; Rabbit Hill Park, 1109 Blue Ridge Drive; and at the Art Center, 816 S. Main St., will remain open through September. The splash pad at Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open through October, weather permitting.

GoGeo paratransit bus service

There will be no service Monday, Sept. 5.

Recycling and solid waste

There will be regular recycling and solid waste collection for City of Georgetown customers on Monday, Sept. 5. Please place carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day. For questions, call Texas Disposal Systems at 512-930-1715.

The Collection Station at 250 W.L. Walden Drive will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5.

Watch school zones as classes start on Aug. 18

The first day of classes for schools in Georgetown ISD is Thursday, Aug. 18. The Georgetown Police Department reminds drivers to slow down in school zones. As students go back to school, police will be monitoring school zones throughout the city.

“This is an exciting time of year, and we look forward to welcoming students and families back to campuses throughout the district,” Superintendent Fred Brent said. “Help us ensure they arrive safely each day by reducing speeds and adhering to posted speed limits in school zones.”

Look for the school zones at most of these Georgetown ISD schools:

Carver Elementary, 4901 Scenic Lake Drive
Cooper Elementary, 1921 NE Inner Loop
Ford Elementary, 210 Woodlake Drive
Frost Elementary, 711 Lakeway Drive
McCoy Elementary, 401 Bellaire Drive
Mitchell Elementary, 1601 Rockride Lane
Purl Elementary, 1953 Maple St.
Village Elementary, 400 Village Commons
Williams Elementary, 4101 Southwestern Blvd.
Wolf Ranch Elementary, 1201 Jay Wolf Drive
Benold Middle School, 3407 Northwest Blvd.
Forbes Middle School, 1911 NE Inner Loop
Tippit Middle School, 1601 Leander Road
Wagner Middle School, 1621 Rockride Lane
East View High School, 4490 E. University Ave.
Georgetown High School, 2211 N. Austin Ave.
Georgetown Alternative Program, 502 Patriot Way
Richarte High School, 2295 N. Austin Ave.
S.T.E.P./Lott Juvenile Detention Center, 200 Wilco Way

School zone speed limits are in effect during the posted hours or when yellow lights are flashing. The school zones times are about 7-9 a.m. for before-school times and 2:30-4:30 p.m. for after-school hours. The fine for speeding in a school zone is $10 per mile over the limit, plus state court costs. This would mean a $100 fine plus $159 in state court costs for driving 30 mph in a 20 mph zone, for example.

State law prohibits the use of a wireless communication device in a school zone during the posted hours or when yellow lights are flashing.

Love Where You Live this September by helping clean up Georgetown

[UPDATE: The location for the community collection event has been moved to Georgetown High School, 2211 N. Austin Ave.]

This September, the City is asking you to Love Where You Live by helping clean up Georgetown.

Rivery Park clean-up event Sept. 10

The City of Georgetown is hosting a riverbank cleanup event on Sept. 10 in Rivery Park, 1125 Woodlawn Ave. Free public parking is available in the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center garage, 1101 Woodlawn St.

Volunteers can check in for the event beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the white tent near the playground, which is in the middle of the park. A safety briefing will be held at 8:55 a.m. The cleanup will be from 9-10 a.m.

Volunteers must fill out this waiver to participate. Volunteers may sign the waiver at the event.

During the event, trash bags and gloves, as well as light snacks and drinks, will be provided. Participants are asked to wear appropriate clothing such as long pants, hats, and sunglasses, as well as comfortable closed-toe shoes.

Individuals interested in volunteering can email MS4Operator@georgetown.org to register or sign up online at transportation.georgetown.org/river-cleanup. The cleanup event may be canceled in case of bad weather. Follow the City’s social media pages for updates: facebook.com/cityofgeorgetown and twitter.com/georgetowntx.

Household Hazardous Waste collection event Sept. 21

The City will host a free household hazardous waste collection event from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 21 in San Gabriel Park, 425 E. Morrow St.

The event will be available for up to 400 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 names placed on a list. Please include your name, address, and utility account number when emailing customer care. Customers must have their names 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.

For more information about what household items will be accepted, visit https://recycle.georgetown.org/residential-programs/household-hazardous-waste.

Community collection event Sept. 24

The City’s Public Works Department will host a community cleanup event from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 24 at Georgetown High School, 2211 N. Austin Ave.

During the event, residents will be able to drop off paper for shredding, tires, mattresses, and electronics, including televisions, microwaves, computers, and cell phones. Individuals are limited to three boxes or sacks of paper for shredding and up to four tires per carload. There is no limit on electronic items. Household hazardous waste items will not be accepted.

To participate, please bring a donation for Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter, which helps support the needs of the Georgetown Animal Shelter. Items needed include:

Squeegee poles and heads
Muffin tins
Stainless steel pet pails
Pill pockets for dogs and cats
Small dustpans
Durable dog toys

Monetary donations will also be accepted.

Painted Rain Barrel Project coming in October

The City of Georgetown’s Water Conservation Team is looking to bring awareness to sustainable watering resources with the vibrant addition of art to rain barrels. The first annual Painted Rain Barrel Project will coincide with the Georgetown Arts and Culture Program’s Autumn Art Stroll, South Main Arts Festival, and the Water Conservation Team’s “Imagine a Day Without Water” events in October 2022.

The barrels will be displayed around City facilities and local businesses downtown, before and during the South Main Arts Festival. All painted barrels will be available to purchase via a silent auction that will run through the course of the Autumn Art Stroll and South Main Arts Festival.

Seeking applicants for the Painted Rain Barrel Project

Through Aug. 31, 2022, the City of Georgetown’s Water Conservation Team invites artist proposals for the Painted Rain Barrel Project. These rain barrels will be placed throughout downtown Georgetown during the October arts events, then auctioned off to community members. All proceeds will be donated to conservation education efforts in local schools.

Artists will receive 40 percent of the total profits collected from the rain barrel auction. A $125 minimum bid will be placed on all barrels.

For more information, including submission guidelines, visit Request for Artist Entries for the Painted Rain Barrel Project.

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 2023 budget through an online comment box, which will be up through Aug. 21. 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 Aug. 23 meeting, during which the council is scheduled to hold public hearings and first readings of both the tax rate and the budget.

“Having community feedback in the budget process is important,” City Manager David Morgan said. “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.

The proposed budget totals $722 million and decreases the City’s property tax rate by 2.7 cents (from 40.1 cents per $100 valuation to 37.4 cents). The proposed rate is below the voter-approval rate set by the state and can only increase 3.5 percent on the operations and maintenance portion of the tax rate.

This is the third year in a row the City has proposed reducing the property tax rate, maintaining the City’s rate as among 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 5 percent. By lowering the rate to 37.4 cents per $100 of valuation and accounting for the increase in homestead exemption, the average property tax bill is expected to increase by $56.

“The U.S. Census named Georgetown the fastest-growing city in the country this past year,” Morgan said. “With that growth comes increasing demands and expectations for our services and staff. Our primary focus for next year’s budget is maintaining those service levels while responding to that record-setting growth, as well as nationwide economic pressures. Next year’s proposed budget continues our usual practices of budgeting conservatively and taking steps to reduce the burden on taxpayers where possible.”

City staff used council goals to develop a preliminary version of next year’s budget, which the council discussed during a July 19 workshop. Staff used council direction from the workshop to develop the proposed budget. The City’s fiscal year spans Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.

Major themes of the proposed budget are maintaining service levels in the face of record-setting growth and responding to nationwide economic pressure while executing studies and projects initiated this year, addressing staff workload pressures, improving risk management practices, and responding to a tight labor market through retention and attraction efforts. Adequately funding those priorities—particularly building the infrastructure needed to keep pace with growth, responding to development pressures, and retaining and recruiting high-caliber employees—contributed to the proposed budget being $239.5 million more than the current fiscal year’s original adopted budget of $483 million.

For more information about the annual budget process and details and documents about the proposed FY2023 budget, visit finance.georgetown.org.

Budget adoption timeline

July 19: Council budget workshops

Aug. 9: First presentation of the full budget; City Council sets maximum tax rate and public hearing dates

Aug. 21: Comments on draft budget close (see form online)

Aug. 23: Public hearings and first reading of both the tax rate and the budget

Sept. 13: Second reading and final adoption of the tax rate and budget

Oct. 1: New budget year begins, and new water/wastewater rates are in effect

City of Georgetown seeks applications for Civic Leadership Academy

The City of Georgetown’s Civic Leadership Academy, which was established in 2021, seeks to educate, connect, and inspire leaders to develop a strong commitment to community service for the greater good of Georgetown.

The academy provides a learning experience for existing and emerging leaders to understand City services and functions, while building the skills and knowledge to succeed in City leadership roles. Participants of the program are given the opportunity to develop an understanding of the promises and challenges facing our community, as well as their role as future City leaders.

The eight-month program meets from 2-6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, except for the first class, which will meet Sept. 29.

Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15.

To be eligible, participants should be a resident of the City of Georgetown and be able to attend six out of eight sessions.

Benefits of participating in the program include:

an enhanced understanding of Georgetown local government, community challenges, and decision-making
relationships with other community and local government leaders
insight into how to use data to articulate challenges and advocate for resources for your community
an in-depth look at how the City works and develop specialized knowledge about the City’s departments and programs
information about how to become an effective community leader

To learn more and apply, visit government.georgetown.org/georgetown-civic-leadership-academy.

This will be the second class of Georgetown’s Civic Leadership Academy. Thirty-four Georgetown residents graduated the first class in June 2022.

Georgetown Arts and Culture Board awards grants for 2022 Round II

The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board approved $12,100 in grants in July to local arts and culture organizations to help with funding local arts and culture programming that includes visual art, music, and performance art in Georgetown.

The funding is for events in Georgetown taking place between Oct. 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

Grant recipients include:

Project or event name	Grant amount
Central Texas Philharmonic for their Patriotic Pops Concert	$2,500
Georgetown Art Works for Art Hop	$2,000
GTX Connect for Fiesta Georgetown	$3,400
GTX Film for the 2022 GTX Film Festival	$2,000
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra for their Free Spring Orchestra “Pops” Concert	$2,000

The next grant cycle will accept proposals Dec. 1-30, 2022, for events and programs occurring April 1-Oct. 31, 2023.

The Georgetown Arts and Culture Grants help the Arts and Culture Board fulfill bylaw requirements, which include recognizing and encouraging groups and organizations that enrich Georgetown life by bringing cultural and artistic values and artifacts to the City. Members of the Arts and Culture Board believe a vibrant arts community and cultural offerings are good for the quality of life for residents, will attract visitors, and will assist Georgetown in becoming a nationally recognized arts destination by 2030. The grant program helps develop and strengthen our local arts community by contributing funding to arts and culture programming that enhances our local community.

For more information about the Georgetown Arts & Culture grants, visit arts.georgetown.org.