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COVID-19 vaccines open to all adults March 29
All adults will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas beginning Monday, March 29. The Texas Department of State Health Services expects vaccine supplies to increase next week, and providers in multiple parts of the state have made great strides in vaccinating people in the current priority groups. The state’s Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel recommended opening vaccination to everyone who falls under the current Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations to protect as many Texans as possible.
Click here to read more form the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Brazos River Authority: Lake Georgetown in Stage 1 Drought Watch
Lake Georgetown is in Stage 1 Drought Watch as a result of drier than normal conditions in portions of the Brazos River basin and drought trigger levels set by the Brazos River Authority’s Drought Contingency Plan.
As of March 17, 2021, Lake Georgetown was at 67 percent of full capacity, according to the authority. Williamson County is also in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s March 18 update. Practicing wise water use now will help to ensure adequate water supply during the hotter summer months.
City of Georgetown water utility customers should make sure they follow the two-day watering schedule for irrigation systems and hose-end sprinklers. The year-round, two-day per week irrigation schedule is based on the last digit of the street address.
The watering schedule is posted at gus.georgetown.org/water/whatsmyschedule.
Irrigation is not permitted on Mondays because they are a maintenance and recovery day for the water system. The two-day schedule spreads watering over six days each week in order to balance demand on the water system. Watering with a hand-held hose or bucket can be done any day and at any time. Other outdoor water uses like washing a vehicle or filling a swimming pool, can be done any day at any time.
Violations of the irrigation schedule may result in fines.
During the summer months, 75 percent of the drinking water treated each day in the city is used to irrigate lawns and landscapes. Following the City’s two-day watering schedule and adjusting irrigation run times can help save water and still maintain a healthy lawn.
While the City is not running out of water, conservation during the hottest and driest parts of the year helps ensure our shared resource is available for all who need it. The City also has several ongoing water utility expansion projects to help meet the needs of our growing population, including the Lake Water Treatment Plant expansion expected to be completed in summer 2023.
The best time for watering your lawn and landscape is on your watering day in the early morning hours after midnight. This allows the water to soak into the soil and reach the roots of your grass and plants. Watering during the heat of the day, especially between noon and 7 p.m., should be avoided since much of the water sprayed from sprinklers will evaporate and is wasted.
For help setting your irrigation controller, call customer care at 512-930-3640.
For more information on the Drought Contingency Plan, visit gus.georgetown.org/water/drought-information.
Breakfast Bites: Georgetown Gives Back
The Breakfast Bites meeting March 25 will feature Sydney Decker of “Hello Georgetown” presenting on “Georgetown Gives Back: Extending the Season of Giving Past the Holidays.” The informal meeting opens at 8:15 a.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Council & Court building, 510 W. Ninth St. The presentation will start at 8:30 a.m. and will include both an in-person and virtual attendee option. Limited seating is available to attend in person, and participants must register in advance.
The generosity of individuals and organizations is often best on display during the holidays, but some may wonder how they can continue to support local businesses and nonprofits all year round. Decker’s presentation will offer simple and effective ways to do just that from January to December each year.
At the March 25 meeting, there will also be updates from City staff on a variety of topics, as well as updates from downtown partner organizations and new businesses in the downtown district that have opened or are under construction.
Breakfast Bites is a quarterly meeting of the Georgetown Main Street Program. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, online at tinyurl.com/s2brkkc.
Participants attending in person will be required to wear a mask or face covering and maintain physical distancing of at least six feet. Hand sanitizer will also be available for attendees. Food and drink will not be provided during the event due to COVID-19 safety restrictions.
Williamson County Dell Diamond vaccine site to increase vaccine appointments
Williamson County’s vaccine provider Curative has opened up a vaccination site at Dell Diamond with the capacity to give 5,000 vaccine doses each day. With the increase in available appointments, residents who fall under the Texas Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) priority phases 1a, 1b or 1c are encouraged to register on the County’s centralized waitlist with the possibility to receive a vaccine appointment this week. To register, click here.
Click here to read more. (Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the rest of the news release.)
Georgetown seeks resident input for branding research process
Georgetown has partnered with North Star Place Branding + Marketing to develop a community brand for marketing the area to visitors, residents, and businesses in the year 2021 and beyond.
“We want to hear from everyone in Georgetown about what makes our community special, so we can celebrate what we love about our community and share that with others,” City Manager David Morgan said. “Having a complete brand is a critical step toward positioning the City as a trusted, valued, recognized voice in our community and moving forward on the work we started with our 2019 communications audit.”
Toward this end, North Star developed a customized, communitywide, online survey. The questionnaire has been carefully crafted to determine Georgetown’s strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities. All who live and/or work in Georgetown are invited and encouraged to participate in this important community-wide initiative.
“We have partnered with more than 250 communities across North America, and I can’t emphasize enough the importance of insights gleaned from community members,” North Star CEO Will Ketchum said. “The heart of Georgetown’s brand will be what makes the community special, so it can stand out in the marketplace. And one of the best places to find that figurative nugget of marketing gold is in the hearts and minds of the people who call Georgetown home.”
This survey has ended. For questions about our new brand, contact pio@georgetown.org.
Miculek announced as Georgetown Public Library director
Sally Miculek was selected to serve as the director of the Georgetown Public Library following the retirement of Eric Lashley in January. After a nationwide search, Miculek was chosen from a number of qualified applicants. She had been the assistant library director for Georgetown for the past seven years and previously worked in the Austin Public Library system.
“Sally’s character and skillset are a perfect fit for the next leader of our beloved library,” City Manager David Morgan said. “With Sally as our next director and the talents of our staff, I’m excited about the future of our library and our ability to meaningfully serve, partner with, and engage the community.”
Miculek is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a master’s degree in Library and Information Science. She has extensive experience in children’s services, as well as in developing special programming and cultural events. In Georgetown, she organized special community projects, such as documentary films, panel discussions, and art exhibits during Black History Month and Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month.
“The Georgetown Public Library is a great organization, because the entire leadership of the City of Georgetown shares a philosophy of values-based service to the community,” Miculek said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to help the Library navigate the many opportunities presented by the growth and change that animate the Georgetown community.”
Miculek will oversee the programming and materials for the Georgetown Public Library, which was awarded the national gold medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences in 2018. She will focus on the Library’s mission to engage, enlighten, and empower the community through outstanding service delivery with a team of 35 employees, 19 of whom are full time. She will also support partnerships with several community organizations, including the Friends of the Library, the nonprofit organization that provides significant fundraising and volunteerism for library services.
“Sally’s passion for serving the Georgetown community was evident throughout the selection process,” Assistant City Manager Laurie Brewer said. “She has the ability to work with advisory and advocacy groups, as well as other community partners to continue to provide outstanding cultural programming for our library.”
The Georgetown Library’s circulation was more than 556,000 in 2019 and more than 386,000 in 2020.
Georgetown updates COVID-19 safety guidelines, reopens most facilities
Face coverings are still required in City facilities
Most City of Georgetown facilities and lobbies have reopened to the public March 10 without capacity limits, in accordance with Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order (GA-34) announced March 2.
While most facilities will reopen to the public, the Library will continue to offer curbside pickup hours five mornings a week and began grab-and-go hours in the afternoons and on Saturdays. Find more information on the Library’s website.
According to City Council direction at its March 9 meeting, members of the public will be required to wear a face mask in City facilities. Face masks will be provided for visitors who do not have one available.
The City will continue to use a number of safety protocols that have been put in place over the past year for the safety of employees and the public. Those protocols include physical distancing requirements, health screenings for employees, and plexiglass at all reception areas. All City employees are required to wear a face mask when:
- Inside City facilities and physical distancing of greater than six feet is not possible
- Inside, interacting face-to-face with customers/residents
- Outdoors, interacting face-to-face with fellow employee/customer/resident and physical distancing is not possible
- Interacting face-to-face with fellow employee at employee’s workstation
- Walking through City facilities
City board and commission meetings will continue to be virtual, and City Council meetings will continue as hybrid in-person/virtual meetings.
According to Abbott’s order, private businesses will no longer be required to have a safety plan or require face masks; however, safety measures are left up to individual businesses. If you are asked to wear a mask to enter a business, please respect that business owners wishes and choose kindness.
If a customer refuses to wear a face mask, the business can ask that person to leave. If the customer refuses, the business may escalate the issue to a criminal trespassing violation. The business can call the police department’s non-emergency number at 512-930-3510 and officers will respond.
For more information and updates, visit bit.ly/COVID19GTX.
Disaster Relief Resources for Winter Storm Uri
Click any of the links below to be taken to that section of the relief guide. For a downloadable version of this document, click here.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the websites or social media of these organizations.
I. Local Resources
III. Damage Assessment
Community Resources Assistance
General assistance
2-1-1 Texas
No matter where you live in Texas, you can dial 2-1-1, or (877) 541-7905, and find information about resources in your local community. 2-1-1 Texas is a free, anonymous social service hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Wilco-Forward Phase III Service Agreements
Assistance with rent or utilities. For more information on the Wilco-Forward Phase III Service Agreements, click here.
Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties
The Community Services program through Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties offers assistance with energy costs for low-income residents, COVID-19 emergency assistance, and self-sufficiency/case management.
For more information or to fill out the online application, click here.
The Caring Place
Please call 512-943-0709 and leave a message regarding your need and someone will contact you within 48 business hours with the next steps. Please do not arrive at The Caring Place office unless instructed by staff.
Food Programs at: https://www.caringplacetx.org/getfood
Item Donation hours at: https://www.caringplacetx.org/donatemystuff
Please note COVID-19 has changed many programs and hours and you will want to check our website or Facebook page before arriving.
Agencies providing food assistance
Local food pantries and school districts are providing emergency food access in our community. If you are in need of food assistance, please call 211.
SNAP Replacement Benefit – SNAP beneficiaries in Williamson county will automatically receive a percentage of their regular benefit amount on their Lone Star card by March 4 to replace lost or destroyed food due to the winter storm.
If you are outside Williamson County and would like to request SNAP benefits to replace lost or destroyed food, Dial 2-1-1, request option 2. If 2-1-1 is not available, you can:
- Download and complete Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed Food Stamp Benefits),
- Once completed, the form can be faxed to 1-877-447-2839, or
- Mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, PO Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027.
You have until March 31 to request a benefit replacement.
Texans who get SNAP food benefits can buy hot food such as rotisserie chicken and prepared foods from a store’s deli at retailers who accept SNAP through March 31.
Meals on Wheels – For Meals on Wheels, you may call (512) 763-1400 x 2004 or email cberry@owbc-tx.org. For more information, visit owbc-tx.org
Helping Hands of Georgetown – Offering brown bag lunches at the picnic table in the Georgetown Public Library parking lot at Eighth and MLK Jr. streets around 3:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday and at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Shelf-stable groceries will also be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information, visit their website: helpinghandsgtx.org
Central Texas Food Bank – Regional food delivery program delivers fresh and packaged foods to centrally-located drop sites in outlying areas. This is a free service. To find the nearest food pick-up location, click here.
Mental health and healthcare services
Bluebonnet Trails Community Services (local mental health authority)
Appointments or Questions: 1-844-309-6385
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 1-800-841-1255
For more information, visit their website: bbtrails.org
Hill Country Intergroup Austin AA is offering online meetings. Find one here: austinaa.org
Hope Alliance sponsors a domestic abuse hotline and limited shelter. (800) 460-7233 hopealliancetx.org
Lone Star Circle of Care offers sliding scale health, dental, and behavioral care. (877) 800-5722 lonestarcares.org
Samaritan Center provides counseling, integrative services, and peer support. For more information, call (512) 451-7337, or visit their website, samaritan-center.org Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Texas Health and Human Services offers a statewide, toll-free, 24/7 mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress, or emotional challenges because of COVID-19. 833-986-1919.
The Christi Center – grief and loss support https://christicenter.org/
Transportation services
GoGeoTransit Service – Regular GoGeo bus services will resume June 8. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. There will be no Saturday service. https://gogeo.georgetown.org/
CARTS will continue to provide needed medical trips for dialysis and other critical medical needs for pre-scheduled trips. Rides for qualified paratransit riders can be requested online or through the CARTS Reservation Center by calling (512) 478-7433. https://www.ridecarts.com/routes/
Faith in Action – free rides for adults over 65 https://www.faithinactiongt.org/
Unemployment benefits
Texas Workforce Commission – to apply for unemployment benefits or request a Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) payment, visit their website at twc.texas.gov
Utilities
City of Georgetown Electric and Water – Customers experiencing a water, wastewater, or electric emergency outage can call (512) 930-3640 or (888) 474-4904 as usual.
Customers wanting to connect or disconnect their utility service can complete their request online at https://gus.georgetown
PEC & Oncor customers:
Please continue to report outages through PEC & Oncor outage-reporting systems:
Oncor: 888-313-4747 / https://stormcenter.oncor.com
PEC: 888-883-3379 / https://outages.pec.coop/dmsoutagemap
Renter/homeowner’s resources
Austin Tenants Council – tenants’ rights and advocacy; includes Williamson county: https://www.housing-rights.org/
Austin Disaster Relief Network offers emergency support and cleanup, Wilco included, register by March 2, 2021: https://adrn.org/ 512-428-6322
Habitat of Williamson County offers home repair support and operates Re-Store materials stores in Georgetown and Round Rock: https://williamsonhabitat.org/ 512-863-4344
Gas leak test and emergency inspections: 512-930-2550 or permits@georgetown.org
Local aid organizations
First Baptist Georgetown: https://fbg.church/fbghelpcenter/
The Caring Place: https://www.caringplacetx.org/
Central Texas Together:https://www.facebook.com/CentralTexasTogether/
Austin Mutual Aid: https://www.facebook.com/AustinMutualAid/
Austin Disaster Relief Network: https://adrn.org/
Central Texas Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/central-and-south-texas.html
Laundry Love Georgetown: https://www.facebook.com/laundrylovegeorgetown
Georgetown customers
https://georgetown.org/contact-us/city-services-guide/
Report/ask about Georgetown water/electric outages (please check outage maps first): customercare@georgetown.org
Report tree limbs on power lines and in roadways: customercare@georgetown.org
Report public water line leaks: leak@georgetown.org
Request help shutting off water: leak@georgetown.org
Gas leak test and emergency inspections: 512-930-2550 or permits@georgetown.org
Emergency injury, safety, health, fire: 911
State/federal resources
Federal disaster assistance
Apply for federal disaster assistance. The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.
If it is not possible to register online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.
Texas Health and Human Services
Information on SNAP guidelines, healthcare, housing, and other assistance available from the state can be found here.
Public Utility Commission
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC or PUCT) is a state agency that regulates the state’s electric, water and telecommunication utilities, implements respective legislation, and offers customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.
Damage assessment
The Governor announced a statewide effort to collect damage assessment data for this unprecedented event. Information is being collected to help officials across the state gain an understanding of damages for individuals throughout Texas.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management has created a simple self-reporting survey for Texans to report their damage and impacts from this recent winter event. It is very important that residents and businesses report their damage so the State receives the amount of financial support from the federal government needed to assist residents. Please help spread the word…and if you know friends, neighbors, and colleagues that have experienced some damage or some impacts from this disaster, have them fill out the survey. Posting this survey on social media is encouraged.
Note: this survey is currently closed.
Individuals report damage
Residents can go online to report damage. https://arcg.is/uOrOb This link will gather the data of the community and business damage impacts (which the city needs for the DSO).
Link: https://arcg.is/uOrOb
QR Code:
Individual assistance
If you were affected by the winter storms in Texas, you can apply for disaster assistance. Applicants are required to inform FEMA of all insurance coverage such as flood, homeowners, renter’s, etc. that may be available to them. Insured applicants must provide FEMA documentation such as an insurance settlement or denial letter to process their application.
For Texas Residents in the FEMA Declared Counties, please visit https://disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CT, 7 days a week.
Business assistance
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.
The following link is for residents to sign up for Individual Assistance:
Winter Weather Updates
Update, March 10: The City Council at the March 9 meeting approved a one-time, automatic, $10 credit for all Georgetown water customers for dripping faucets in response to the winter storm in February.
Click any of the links below to be taken to that section of the updates.
- Disaster relief resources guide
- How will the storm affect my electric bill?
- Winter storm leak adjustment request
- Tree limb collection
- Permits for winter storm damage repairs
- Water/electric outages
- Solid waste and recycling collection
- Disaster Declarations
- Other service providers in Georgetown
Questions about the winter storm and the City’s recovery efforts? Check out the Georgetown winter storm FAQ
Disaster Relief Resources for Winter Storm Uri
The City of Georgetown has developed a Disaster Relief Resources for Winter Storm Uri page with information about available resources, including:
- Local resources: General, food, mental health, transportation, unemployment benefits, utilities, renters/homeowners, local aid organizations, City services
- State/federal resources: disaster relief, Texas Health and Human Services, Public Utility Commission
- Damage assessment information
How will the recent winter storm affect my electric bill?
Georgetown rates will not change, but you could see higher bills due to usage.
While it is true that the wholesale price of power increased exponentially for all Texas electric utilities during February’s extreme weather, City of Georgetown electric customers will see no difference in their electric rates at this time. At the direction of City Council, the City of Georgetown plans to take out a $47.8 million loan, to be paid by electric revenue over 10 years, to cover our wholesale power bill from the storm. Any changes will be communicated publicly through this website, other City communications channels, and the media.
If your electric bill is higher than normal for this time of year, it’s likely due to how much energy you used during the storm. Heating your home during cold weather uses a significant amount of energy, even more so if you experienced outages and needed to reheat your home. We know some of those outages were in response to ERCOT’s requirements to protect the statewide electric grid from collapsing. We have multiple options to help you pay your electric bill, such as funding assistance through partner agencies and in-house customer programs you may qualify for.
Go here for more detail on what happened and answers to frequently asked questions about the situation.
2021 Winter storm leak adjustment request
During the recent severe winter weather event, the City asked all water customers to drip their faucets for an extended period of time in an effort to limit pipe damage. To show our appreciation, and cover the associated costs, the City Council has approved a one-time water-utility credit of $10 for Georgetown residential and commercial water customers. This credit will appear on the first utility bill you receive after March 15, 2021.
Tree limb collection
Crews contracted by the City of Georgetown have been collecting tree limbs and natural debris since Feb. 24 for residents who live in Georgetown city limits. Tree limb collection should be completed this week, March 15-19.
Permits for winter storm damage repairs
The City of Georgetown’s Building Inspections Department will be working with homeowners and businesses during the next month to assess damage from the Feb. 10-21 winter weather event.
From Feb. 20-March 23, the City will assess each repair situation reported by customers to determine if a permit is required. Permits are required when multiple water pipes are broken since those damages can affect the integrity of the plumbing system and fixtures. The City is waiving permit fees on a case-by-case basis during this month-long assessment period.
Property owners are not required to request a permit for emergency repairs, such as replacing a hose bib or a short section of pipe (5 feet or less).
If more repairs need to be done, a remodel permit must be retained. A remodel permit is 42 cents per square foot. Permits are still required for repairs to gas lines or gas systems.
Visit permits.georgetown.org for more information and updates.
Water/electric outages
If you are experiencing a water or electric outage, please check our outage map. If your outage is not shown, please call 512-930-3640 and select option 1 for “electric/water/sewer emergency” to be transferred to the outage-reporting phone system. If you can’t get through via phone, you can email customercare@georgetown.org. The call center operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Calls received after hours are routed to the control center.
Solid waste and recycling collection
Texas Disposal Systems resumed normal collection of landfill trash and recycling on Monday, Feb. 22. Please put your carts curbside on your normal collection day.
Extra recycling can be placed in cardboard boxes next to your recycling cart.
TDS is processing several tons more waste than typical as a result of the storm. If your pickup was missed or you have other questions, please call 512-930-1715.
The Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday for Georgetown utility customers to drop off brushy debris and recycling. Customers should bring a utility bill and matching ID. Recyclables drop-off is free of charge.
Disaster declarations
The City of Georgetown issued a disaster declaration on Feb. 14 due to the winter storm. City Council extended the declaration until March 23, 2021, at a special-called meeting at 2 p.m. Feb. 21 via Zoom. Staff continues to work with other cities, Williamson County, and regional partners to coordinate the response to this event.
The disaster declaration allows the City to request resources from the county, state, and federal government in responding to the winter storm. Resources could include sheltering needs, cleanup assistance, or emergency response. The disaster declaration is the legal mechanism to seek reimbursement for these expenses. The disaster declaration also authorizes the mayor to effect actions such as evacuations, altering transportation routes, establishing a curfew, suspending deadlines in city ordinances, and other measures to protect life and secure property in an emergency.
The disaster declaration is not the same as the Drought Contingency Plan, which authorizes the City to enact water use restrictions in order to provide for basic domestic use and fire flow.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration Feb. 12.
President Joseph Biden issued a federal disaster declaration Feb. 14.
Other service providers in Georgetown
Cable/Internet/Phone: Suddenlink
Gas: Atmos Energy
Electric: Oncor, Pedernales Electric Cooperative
Water use restrictions lifted at noon Feb. 23
Restrictions on nonessential use of water were lifted at noon Feb. 23 for all City of Georgetown water customers. The City’s water has recovered storage capacity and returned to normal operations following the winter storm, allowing the City to lift the restrictions early.
The restrictions lift at noon to gavecommercial businesses affected by the restrictions, like carwashes, time to staff for the day and ensure they open at the same time, so as not to give businesses an unfair advantage.
“We are so grateful for everyone’s hard work limiting water use the past few days. Our water system recovered much quicker than anticipated, and we have returned to normal operations,” City Manager David Morgan said. “The water and power outages many of our customers experienced during and after the winter storm last week were extremely challenging on all of us. The strength and goodwill you showed your neighbors and our crews working around the clock truly helped us all get through this.”
Water uses such as irrigation, washing vehicles, adding water to a pool, and industrial uses are permitted once the restrictions lift. However, leaving irrigation systems off and limiting other outdoor uses are still encouraged.
Restrictions on outdoor water use started at 5 p.m. Feb. 21 and initially were scheduled to lift at 11:59 p.m. Feb. 24. The restrictions were put in place to allow the City’s water system time to recover from the effects of the subfreezing temperatures and power outages last week.
All boil water notices have been lifted for Georgetown water customers. The last boil water notice was lifted Monday after samples indicated that state drinking water standards were met.
The City of Georgetown enacted Stage 3 of the Drought Contingency Plan at 5 p.m. Feb. 21 for all its customers, because the recent ice storm created a demand for water that exceeded the supply, and severe conservation measures are required to maintain the ability to provide the proper level of service.
City crews worked around the clock to address the issues caused by the winter storm, including repairing lift and pump stations, as well as burst water mains.
