City of Georgetown Texas > City Hall

City Council approves new Council District map

On Friday, Georgetown City Council approved the second and final reading of an ordinance to establish new Council Districts for the city.

The process to rebalance the population in the city’s seven council districts and create a new Council District map (shown at right), which is known as redistricting, started in October. City Council was advised by the law firm Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta through the redistricting process, which happens after every decennial census.

City Council held meetings to discuss and give direction on the new Council District map Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Nov. 23, Dec. 3, Dec. 14, and Dec. 17. Agendas, maps, and video of the meetings can be seen at government.georgetown.org/redistricting-2021. The meetings were open to the public and broadcast live on georgetown.org/gtv, Facebook, and on GTV channel 10.

The new Council Districts, as well as other local and state district boundaries, will be effective in January. Williamson County Elections Department will mail out new voter registration cards in January to all active registered voters with new City Council District numbers, new County voting precinct numbers, and other state and local districts that may have changed.

New Council Districts will be in effect in advance of Jan. 19, 2022, which is the start of the filing period for candidates in Districts 3, 4, and 7 that will be on the May 2022 City Council election ballot.

Notice of Deadline to file an Application for Place on the Ballot

Applications for a place on the ballot for the May 7, 2022 election will be accepted beginning January 10, 2022 and through February 18, 2022.  Elections will be held for places on the City Council for District 3, District 4 and District 7.  Please contact the City Secretary’s office at cs@georgetown.org if you have any questions.

This notice was posted on Monday, December 20, 2021.  Notice of Deadline to File an Application for Place on the Ballot – 05.2022

Recycling Christmas trees and boxes

City of Georgetown residents are encouraged to recycle Christmas trees, boxes, and wrapping paper to reduce material going to the landfill. If you recycle your tree, please remove the tree stand and any garland, ornaments, or lights. Artificial trees cannot be recycled.

Curbside pick-up: Texas Disposal Systems customers in the city limits of Georgetown can put Christmas trees on the curb for collection on your regular yard trimmings pickup day. Trees seven feet in length or less can be placed at the curb uncut. Longer trees should be cut into sections. Artificial trees are not accepted.  

Collection day look-up: For City of Georgetown residents, your yard trimmings collection day is on your first recycling day of the month. Georgetown solid waste and recycling customers can check their collection days, sign up for text or email reminders, and find out how to sort your solid waste and recycling on Texas Disposal Systems’ Waste Wizard at texasdisposal.com/waste-wizard. The holidays will not affect solid waste and recycling pickups, because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fall on a Saturday. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3EX9m82.

Boxes and wrapping paper: Cardboard boxes and wrapping paper are recyclable. If they won’t fit in your recycling cart, you can put wrapping paper and boxes in a larger box and set it next to your recycling cart. Ribbons and bows are not recyclable.  

Cellophane wrap and plastic bags are recyclable if they are placed in a yellow bag-the-bag, tied, and placed inside the recycling cart. Bag-the-bag recycling bags are available for pick up at the Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St., Georgetown Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave., and the Sun City Social Center monitors desk, 2 Texas Drive, and the Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Road. Note that extra plastic bags next to your trash cart are not permitted without a bag tag. Go to recycle.georgetown.org for a complete list of recyclables.  

Christmas tree drop-off: Christmas trees will be accepted at the City of Georgetown Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, from Dec. 26-Jan. 31 at no charge. Normal fees apply to other items. Recycled Christmas trees are turned into mulch, which is available year-round, free-of-charge to City residents. Artificial trees are not accepted.                                   

Collection Station: Normal hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Collection Station will close at noon Dec. 24 and be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. For details, contact Texas Disposal Systems at 512-930-1715.

The City of Georgetown also offers holiday string light recycling through Jan. 31 at drop-off locations throughout Georgetown. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3s528v3.

Cupid’s Chase 5K and Fun Run on Feb. 12

Register now for the 27th annual Cupid’s Chase 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, Feb. 12. The chip-timed 5K run/walk begins at 8 a.m. in San Gabriel Park, 445 E. Morrow St. The race begins and ends in the park. To register online or for details, go to cupid.georgetown.org.

Through Jan. 25, the registration cost for the 5K is $30 per person age 11 and older.

The Kids Fun Run for children age 10 and younger starts at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $10.

Participants who register before Jan. 25 are guaranteed to receive a Cupid’s Chase T-shirt. Cupid costumes are encouraged. Strollers and dogs on a non-retractable leash are always welcome on the Cupid’s Chase course.

Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female winners, the overall male and female masters winners, and the top three male and female finishers in each age division. Awards also will be presented to the top overall male and female City of Georgetown employees.

Race results will be posted after the race at cupid.georgetown.org.

In case of bad weather on race day, check facebook.com/GTXParksandRec, and parks.georgetown.org for updates. There are no refunds or transfers for participants.

Cupid’s Chase is sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. Event proceeds help fund projects at Georgetown parks. To register online or for details, go to cupid.georgetown.org.

City to host household hazardous waste event Jan. 19

The City will host a free household hazardous waste collection event from 3-6 p.m. Jan. 19 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 2022.

For more information about the City’s solid waste and recycling services, visit recycle.georgetown.org.

Williamson County hosts two household hazardous waste collection events open to all county residents each year. The spring event date is still TBD. Details for the county’s event can be found by calling 512-759-8881, option 4, or visiting https://bit.ly/3648ZYX.

Ubiquity to build open-access fiber-optic infrastructure across Georgetown

City Council approved a pole attachment agreement at its Dec. 14 meeting with communications network company Ubiquity which will pave the way for the construction of an open-access fiber-optic network throughout the city.

The company initially plans to invest $75 million to establish fiber connectivity across Georgetown and plans to start construction in early 2022 once right-of-way permits have been granted.

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Ubiquity, which will allow for more fiber network options to come into the Georgetown market,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said. “Fiber is the future, and we are glad Ubiquity selected Georgetown as an investment location for their new technology.”

The company’s open-access model makes the fiber system open to any local and national cable and internet service providers, as well as other technology platforms, such as 5G wireless cell sites. This approach reduces the cost and disruption of construction for providers looking to expand to Georgetown and maximizes connectivity choice across the Ubiquity footprint.

“Ubiquity is incredibly excited to bring next-generation fiber infrastructure to Georgetown,” Ubiquity Managing Director Greg Dial said. “Our open-access fiber model is designed to accommodate both current and future connectivity use cases including support of mobile carriers, smart city applications, edge computing, and a broad choice of broadband providers. The build-once, connect-all approach will reduce city disruption during installation while maximizing access to what has become a critical utility.”

Construction is expected to take 2-3 years to complete. The project will provide connectivity for 80 percent of residents and 95 percent of businesses in Georgetown with the first customers coming online in summer 2022.

For more information about the company, visit ubiquitygp.com.

Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon: Putting the Fun in Fundraising

The City will host its first Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon of 2022 on Jan. 13 featuring a presentation by Marissa Austin, CEO of the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Williamson County.

Austin’s presentation will focus on the basic types of revenue for nonprofits and how to diversify and develop these revenue opportunities. Prior to CASA, Austin served as the executive director of the Georgetown Palace Theatre. Her accomplishments included a multimillion-dollar capital campaign and modernizing the operating systems of the organization.

The meeting begins at noon in the Friends Room at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. There will be time after the discussion to share and learn about arts and culture programs happening in the Georgetown community.

This quarterly professional development presentation is sponsored by the Georgetown Arts and Culture program. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to arts@georgetown.org.

Adopt Don’t Shop for Christmas

Give the gift of love and companionship for Christmas by adopting a dog or cat from the Georgetown Animal Shelter. The shelter is overflowing with good dogs and cats looking for soft beds and full bellies.

The best way to bring a new dog or cat into the family is to have the whole family participate in the adoption process in the weeks leading up to the holidays, rather than surprising a family member with a kitten or puppy.

  1. Start by looking at the available animals on our website, pets.georgetown.org, read the descriptions, and think about what kind of qualities you want or need in a pet. Are you looking for a companion who is good or tolerant of other animals? One who is suitable for children? One who likes to go on walks?
  2. Complete the application found on the website, which allows staff to review it ahead of time and be prepared to offer recommendations.
  3. Make an appointment for one-on-one customer service.

If the meeting is successful and you adopt, then you can have fun including the pet in holiday gift-giving by purchasing toys, supplies, or even training. The shelter’s adoption fees are at an all-time low, so you will have extra funds to use. Dogs 8 months or older are $15 (small dogs excluded), and cats 8 months or older are free.

So please adopt, don’t shop this season. In addition to gaining a new furry friend, the adoption would free up a badly needed kennel for another animal.

Georgetown Parks and Recreation announces day camps

The Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department will offer day camps for students during the upcoming Georgetown ISD student holidays. Pricing and schedules vary for each program.

Participants can select from four camps:

  • Camp Goodwater is offered at the Georgetown Recreation Center on Dec. 20-23 and 27-30 for children ages 5-12. Children must be currently attending Kindergarten to participate. Programming runs from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The camp includes outdoor activities, gym games, and seasonal arts and crafts, as well as other activities. Daily fees are $40 for Georgetown residents and $50 for nonresidents.
  • Junior Tennis Academy is offered at the Georgetown Tennis Center on Dec. 27-31 from 9-11 a.m. for ages 7-10 and 1-3 p.m. for ages 11-15. This camp focuses on the fundamentals of stroke production, conditioning, movement, footwork, tactics, and strategy. Daily fees are $20 for Georgetown residents and $25 for nonresidents.
  • Volleyball Camp is offered at the Georgetown Recreation Center on Dec. 20-21 from 9 a.m.-noon for children ages 8-14. The camp covers the rules of play for beginners and defense and positions for more advanced players. Fees are $55 for Georgetown residents and $75 for nonresidents.
  • Basketball Camp is offered at the Georgetown Recreation Center on Dec. 27-29 from 9 a.m.-noon for children ages 6-16. The camp will offer participants the opportunity to improve ball handling, shooting, footwork, defense techniques, and other game-related training. Fees are $100 for Georgetown residents and $125 for nonresidents.

For more information and to register, visit parks.georgetown.org/camp or call 512-930-3596.

City holiday string lights recycling available through Jan. 31

The City of Georgetown has partnered with Texas Disposal Systems to offer free holiday string-light recycling to all Georgetown residents.

Residents can drop off their old or broken string lights through Jan. 31 at one of three collection stations:

  • City of Georgetown Collection and Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Road
  • Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
  • Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.

Sun City residents may also drop off old or broken string lights at the Cowan Creek Pavilion, 1433 Cool Spring Way, in Sun City.

The program is limited to string lights. Lights must be taken to a collection station and cannot be placed in residential or commercial recycling bins because they will damage the sorting machines at the recycling center. Yard art, inflatables, and other holiday lighting will not be collected.

Georgetown was the first city in Central Texas to offer this service when the program launched in December 2017. Last year residents recycled more than 3,000 pounds of Christmas lights.