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Boil water notice lifted for Florence area
Water boil notice lifted for Florence area
The City of Georgetown has lifted the boil water notice for 720 affected customers in the Florence area. This is the last boil water notice that was issued as a result of low pressure due to the prolonged subfreezing temperatures and from power outages due to the recent winter storm. As a result, no Georgetown water service areas have to boil water prior to consumption.
Water service has been restored to all City of Georgetown customers affected by the storm; however, the system is still recovering, so the Phase 3 essential use restriction remains in place for all customers through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24. Customers should limit water use to essential domestic purposes such as drinking and cooking.
The water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes has undergone laboratory tests and results provided to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that indicates the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of Feb. 22, 2021.
Customers might experience sedimentation and/or discoloration resulting from the loss of pressure in the water system. To remove sedimentation and/or discoloration, people should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc., prior to using it for drinking or cooking. Flushing simply means letting the water run to ensure no sedimentation and/or discoloration remains in your pipes. Here are some steps people should take:
- Run all cold-water faucets in your home until air and discolored water stop.
- To flush automatic ice makers, make and discard three batches of ice.
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle
Please check the outage map for the latest information.
As the water system works to refill the water towers, it does take time for the system to fully respond, and continued fluctuations in water pressure are to be expected.
Due to the prolonged subfreezing temperatures and power outages during the winter storm, treatment and distribution facilities struggled to maintain the water pressure required by law, and many customers lost water pressure or water 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.
The City lifted the following boil water notices on Sunday, Feb. 21:
- The Westinghouse area bound by IH-35 to FM1460 (about 1,700 customers)
- Liberty Hill (1,300 customers)
The City lifted the following boil water notices on Saturday, Feb. 20:
- Leander Road/FM2243 area, from Southwest Bypass to Garey Park and the Parkside Parkway area, from FM 2243 to Sam Bass Road (1,300 customers)
- Wood Road/Hwy. 29 area, bound by I-35, D.B. Wood Road, Hwy. 29, and Williams Drive. The includes the area of Booty’s Crossing Road, Serenada Neighborhood, portions of Berry Creek Neighborhood, and Wolf Ranch Northfork and Southfork (3,600 customers)
- Areas west of Georgetown, including Santa Rita, Northlake, and Andice (about 11,000 customers)
Water restrictions in place as water system recovers
The City of Georgetown is enacting Stage 3 of the Drought Contingency Plan for all its customers effective 5 p.m. Feb. 21, 2021. Georgetown water customers must severely restrict all use of potable water through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, when a safe and adequate water supply for public use is expected to be restored. Find out more at https://bit.ly/2ZBwG8j.
Updates will be posted to georgetown.org.
Boil water FAQs
Notice of Intention Regarding Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation, April 27, 2021
NOTICE OF INTENTION REGARDING CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that it is the intention of the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, to issue one or more series of interest bearing certificates of obligation of the City entitled “City of Georgetown, Texas Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation” (the “Certificates”) for the purpose of paying contractual obligations incurred or to be incurred by the City for: (1) constructing, improving, extending, expanding, upgrading and developing City streets, bridges, sidewalks, intersections and related traffic improvement including purchasing any necessary right-of-way and equipment, including for Aviation Drive; (2) constructing, improving, expanding and renovating the City’s Solid Waste transfer station; (3) constructing, improving, expanding and renovating the City’s public safety operation and training center; (4) acquiring and upgrading city vehicles, including fire and police vehicles and related equipment, an inspection vehicle and a traffic signal bucket truck; (5) constructing, improving, expanding and renovating the City’s municipal airport, including construction and/or improvement of a maintenance and equipment storage facility; (6) acquiring and upgrading public safety equipment including, cardiac monitors and self-contained breathing apparatus fire safety equipment; (7) constructing, improving, renovating, expanding and equipping City parks and recreation facilities, including renovation of the Teen/Senior Recreation Center, HVAC improvements, park master planning, tennis center facility improvements, and the development of neighborhood parks, including Heritage Gardens neighborhood park; (8) constructing and installing accessibility improvements at City buildings, facilities and parks in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; (9) acquiring and upgrading City radio communication equipment; and (10) professional services including fiscal, engineering, architectural and legal fees and other such costs incurred in connection therewith including the costs of issuing the Certificates.
The City Council tentatively proposes to consider for first and final reading at a meeting to commence at 6 o’clock, p.m., on the 27th day of April, 2021 at Council Chambers, 510 W. 9th Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626, the passage of an ordinance authorizing such Certificates which ordinance shall be entitled “ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, SERIES 2021; LEVYING AN AD VALOREM TAX AND THE PLEDGE OF CERTAIN REVENUES IN SUPPORT OF THE CERTIFICATES; APPROVING AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT, A PAYING AGENT/REGISTRAR AGREEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATES; AND AUTHORIZING OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATES.” The maximum amount of Certificates of Obligation that may be authorized for such purpose is $25,000,000. The City Council presently proposes to provide for the payment of such Certificates from the levy and collection of ad valorem taxes in the City as provided by law and from the surplus revenues of the City’s utility system in an amount not to exceed $10,000, being the combined waterworks, sewer and electric system, remaining after payment of all operation and maintenance expenses thereof, and all debt service, reserve and other requirements in connection with all of the City’s revenue bonds or other obligations (now or hereafter outstanding) which are payable from all or any part of the net revenues of the City’s utility system.
Due to the ongoing public health concerns regarding the COVID 19 virus, and as may be authorized by Executive Order of the Governor of Texas, such meeting and public hearing regarding the Certificates to be held on April 27, 2021 may be conducted via a free public video conference or other lawful electronic means. In such event, information regarding how to access the meeting and public participation in the meeting will be available on the City’s website and in the agenda posted no less than 72 hours before the April 27, 2021 meeting at the following internet address: https://government.georgetown.org/
The following information is required pursuant to Texas Local Government Code, Section 271.049: As of February 9, 2021, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding debt obligations of the City secured by and payable from ad valorem taxes is $222,670,000. As of February 9, 2021, the combined principal and interest required to pay all outstanding debt obligations of the City secured by and payable from ad valorem taxes on time and in full is $283,895,475. The estimated combined principal and interest required to pay the Certificates on time and in full is $33,785,883.
The estimated interest rate for the Certificates is 3.00%. Such estimates take into account a number of factors, including the issuance schedule, maturity schedule and the expected ratings of the proposed Certificates. Such estimated interest rate is provided as a matter of information but is not a limitation on the interest rate at which the Certificates may be sold. The maximum maturity date of the Certificates is August 15, 2041.
CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
Districts 1 and 5 city council candidates set for May 1 election
For Georgetown City Council elections in May, incumbent Mary Calixtro and Amanda Parr have filed to run in District 1, and Jason Norwood and incumbent Kevin Pitts have filed to run in District 5. The filing deadline was 5 p.m. today.
Early in-person voting is April 19-24 and April 26-27. Election Day is May 1. The last day to register to vote is April 1.
Early voting and Election Day polling places, dates, and times will be listed at wilco.org/elections.
View council district maps at maps.georgetown.org.
For updates about the city council election, go to georgetown.org.
Georgetown calls $90M mobility bond for May 1 election
The City of Georgetown has called a bond election for Tuesday, May 1, 2021. Voters will consider one bond proposition for various street and transportation infrastructure projects. This election is being held in conjunction with the May General Election for local offices and propositions for other taxing entities, including City Council districts 1 and 5.
The total amount of the bond proposition is $90 million in new funding authorizations. If voters approve Proposition A, the City anticipates raising the property tax rate by 3 cents once the bonds are issued to cover the full cost of the projects. The average Georgetown resident could expect their annual property taxes to increase by $83.40, based on the average homestead taxable value in 2020 of $278,001. The City expects to start work on the projects within seven years, economic conditions permitting.
The anticipated 3-cent tax rate increase would generate an estimated $120 million during the life of the bond, which is the total amount required to complete the projects. The additional $30 million generated by the tax increase would go toward completing work on related projects from the 2008 and 2015 bonds that were approved by voters but never funded.
The projects included in Proposition A on the ballot May 1 are as follows:
Project 1: SE Inner Loop | Anticipated $32 million
This 2.91-mile project consists of widening SE Inner Loop to a four-lane, divided, minor arterial from SH 29 to Sam Houston Avenue and to a five-lane, undivided, major arterial from Sam Houston Avenue to FM 1460. The project also includes a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicycles on one side. This project will include engineering and right-of-way acquisition scopes of work from the 2015 bond.
Project 2: Shell Road |Anticipated $12.5 million
This 1.12-mile project consists of widening Shell Road to a four-lane, divided, major arterial from 500 feet north of Williams Drive to 300 feet north of Sycamore Street, with open-ditch drainage. The project also includes a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicycles on one side. This project will include engineering and right-of-way acquisition scopes of work from the 2015 bond.
Project 3: Williams Drive| Anticipated $10.2 million
This 3.18-mile project consists of replacing the existing center turn lane on Williams Drive with a landscaped median, with median openings and left turn bays at limited locations, to create a four-lane divided roadway from DB Wood Road to IH 35. In addition, the project will fill existing sidewalk gaps and repair failing sidewalks. This project will include engineering and right-of-way acquisition scopes of work from the 2015 bond.
Project 4: D.B. Wood Road | Anticipated $18.9 million
This 1.99-mile project consists widening the existing two-lane section of D.B. Wood Road to a four-lane, major arterial with open ditch drainage and a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicycles on one side. This project also includes installing a median in the existing center turn lane south of the Public Safety Center. This project will include engineering and right-of-way acquisition scopes of work from the 2015 bond.
Project 5: Leander Road | Anticipated $7.7 million
This 0.69-mile project consists of widening Leander Road to a four-lane, divided, major arterial from Southwest Bypass to Norwood Drive with open ditch drainage. This project will also include a grass median and sidewalks on both sides of the road. This project will include work from the 2015 bond.
Project 6: Austin Avenue Bridges | Anticipated $10.2 million
This proposition would provide funding to rehabilitate the bridges on Austin Avenue and construct a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the north and south forks of the San Gabriel River. The new pedestrian and bicycle bridge would cost $3.8 million of the total estimated cost to construct.
Project 7: Rockride Lane| Anticipated $5.8 million
This project consists of widening Rockride Lane from SE Inner Loop to Sam Houston Avenue to a two-lane collector road with a center turn lane, on-street bike lanes on the shoulders, and sidewalks on both sides of the road.
Project 8: Westinghouse Road | Anticipated $8.2 million
This project is a partnership between the City of Georgetown and Williamson County that would fully reconstruct the two-lane section of Westinghouse Road from FM 1460 to SH 130. This project includes improving shoulders and removing 90-degree turns.
Voters approved this project in the 2019 Williamson County bond. The total project cost is $20.2 million. City would contribute $8.2 million, primarily to improve shoulders on the two-lane section of the road. This cost roughly corresponds to the portion of the extension in the City limits, relative to the full project length.
Project 9: Sam Houston Avenue Extension / SE 1 / Wilco Corridor C | Anticipated $4 million
This 2008 bond project would provide the City’s portion of funding to extend Sam Houston Avenue (initially designated Southeast Arterial 1) as a two-lane road from Patriot Way to SH 29.
Voters approved this $22.5 million project in the 2019 Williamson County bond. The City’s $4 million contribution roughly corresponds to the portion of the extension in the City limits, relative to the full project length. Other funding sources for SE1 include Williamson County and the City’s 0.5 percent 4B sales tax associated with the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC).
Allocations for other transportation infrastructure | Anticipated $10.45 million
The City of Georgetown 2021 Mobility Bond aims to increase roadway capacities and create new, safe connections within and among communities. In addition to the proposed roadway projects, a portion of bond dollars will be allocated to additional infrastructure projects including bicycle facilities, sidewalks, intersection improvements, and transportation technology upgrades. Funding would go toward priority projects identified in both the Sidewalks and Bicycle master plans, as well as prioritized intersections and corridors. Authorization from the 2015 bond could be used for sidewalk and intersection work.
Bond background
In July 2020, City Council created a 16-member Citizen Advisory Committee to narrow down a list of projects for the bond program that address Georgetown’s overall transportation challenges, limit the burden to taxpayers, and reflect the public priorities. The advisory committee spent six months reviewing and evaluating 23 possible bond projects with an estimated total cost of more than $400 million. In January 2021, the Citizen Advisory Committee provided Council with rankings of the top 10 roadway projects and allocations for sidewalks, bicycle facilities, intersections, and transportation technology. The committee’s recommendations were informed by two rounds of public engagement.
For more information about Mobility Georgetown Bond 2021, visit bonds.georgetown.org.
Georgetown Arts and Culture Board awards grants for 2021
The Georgetown Arts & Culture Board approved $11,072 in grants in January to local arts and culture organizations to help with funding local arts and culture programming that includes visual art, music, performance art, and arts education in Georgetown.
The funding is for events in Georgetown taking place between April and September 2021.
Grant recipients include:
| Project or event name | Grant amount |
| East View High School Percussion Professional Recording | $1,500 |
| Georgetown High School for Georgetown Virtual Jazz Festival | $1,500 |
| Texas Back Festival for 2021 Season “Bach 4 More” | $2,250 |
| Full Circle Talks: “By & For Creatives” | $247 |
| Georgetown Art Works for “The Black Woman’s Epoch” at Georgetown Art Center | $2,050 |
| The Georgetown Palace Theatre for Adaptive Theatre for All Summer programs | $2,025 |
| Cardboard Cinema Productions for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | $1,500 |
The next grant cycle will accept proposals June 1-30, 2021, for events and programs occurring October 2021 through March 2022
For more information about the Georgetown Arts & Culture grants, visit arts.georgetown.org.
2020 Resident Survey results
The results are in from the most recent resident survey, which is done every two years by the City of Georgetown to guide planning, budgeting, projects, and services.
The Texas State University Center for Public Policy, Research, and Training conducted the survey in October 2020. The anonymous survey is intended to measure the perceptions of residents. The survey was mailed to 2,000 households in Georgetown and 425 residents responded. The margin of error was 5 percent.
In addition to the mailed survey, an open survey was shared online with 767 residents responding. Since the demographics of the two surveys were similar, the results from the two surveys were merged. The total number of responses was 1,192 and the margin of error was 3 percent.
“We are grateful for this feedback from our residents who took the survey,” City Manager David Morgan said. “The City does this survey every two years to listen to our residents to find out where we are succeeding and other places where we need to improve. The results are invaluable in helping us determine priorities for budgets and operations.”
The context of the COVID-19 pandemic affected city services in 2020 and was likely a factor in how residents experienced and perceived city programs and services.
Here are some highlights from the merged survey results.
Ninety percent of residents said the overall quality of life in Georgetown was good or excellent and 65 percent said for city taxes paid, the value of city services was good or excellent. These compare to 98 percent and 81 percent, respectively, in the 2018 resident survey.
The survey found when residents were asked about city services, these percentages of residents gave a rating of good or excellent:
- Fire and EMS services: 97 percent
- Police services: 91 percent
- Library: 94 percent
- Garbage collection: 91 percent
- Recycling: 82 percent
- Water service: 75 percent
- Electric service: 66 percent
The survey also asked about perceptions of safety. Respondents reported safety as good or excellent for these areas or services:
- In their neighborhood in daytime: 95 percent
- In their neighborhood after dark: 83 percent
- In city parks: 79 percent
- At shopping centers: 84 percent
- On the downtown square: 91 percent
- In recreational waters: 69 percent
- For drinking water: 74 percent
Traffic continues to be a top concern for residents. In rating traffic flow on major streets, only 20 percent said it was good or excellent with 43 percent who said it was fair and 37 percent who said it was poor.
An open-ended question in the survey asked residents to identify their top priorities. The most frequent top priorities mentioned were crime/safety/police, growth management, water, electric bills/utilities, and parks/trails/bike lanes/sidewalks.
Survey results are used to inform the annual budget process as well as capital improvement plans and changes to city services.
To see the complete results, go to the 2020 City of Georgetown Resident Survey Report.
Registration for spring break camps now open
Georgetown Parks and Recreation will offer spring break camps March 15-19 for youth age 5-19. Pricing and schedules vary for each program.
Participants can select from three camps:
- Athletic Skills (ages 6-19; $105 resident/$140 nonresident) includes developing life skills, such as competition, teamwork, work ethic, and confidence with athletic components that include speed, mobility, explosion, footwork/coordination, balance, and overall functional strength.
- Camp Goodwater (ages 5-12; $155 resident/$195 nonresident) includes a variety of activities, such as games, crafts, and weird science projects.
- Tennis Camp (ages 7-12; $155 resident/$195 nonresident) focuses on stroke instruction, footwork drills, court games, and match play.
Spring Break Camp registration is now open. For more information and to register, visit parks.georgetown.org/camp or call 512-930-3596.
2020 Annual Report now available
An annual report for the City of Georgetown for the 2020 fiscal year is now available online and in print copies. The report is for the 2020 fiscal year that started Oct.1, 2019, and ended Sept. 30, 2020.
The report highlights projects and initiatives and includes key metrics for city services. It is available online here.
A limited number of free printed copies of the annual report are available at City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King, Jr. St.; Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.; Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.; and Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.
Solomon announced as Director of Water Utilities
Chelsea Solomon has been selected as Georgetown’s new Director of Water Utilities, following the retirement of Glenn Dishong in December. After an extensive, nationwide search, Solomon was selected from several qualified applicants to serve in the role. Solomon previously served as manager of the control center, which monitors and controls the City’s water and electric infrastructure 24 hours a day.
Solomon has worked for the City since 2014 when she was hired as a utility engineer. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She brings more than 19 years of water infrastructure engineering experience in the public and private sectors. She holds a professional engineer certification from the State of Texas and is a Certified Floodplain Manager.
“As a Georgetown resident and member of the team, I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done in the control center, and I’m excited to bring my experience and passion to this new role,” Solomon said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to grow the Water Utility’s services and employees so we can serve Georgetown residents as efficiently as possible.”
Solomon will oversee a dynamic water utility that currently spans a more than 440-square-mile service area and more than 43,000 water accounts. She will focus on providing excellent service delivery with a team of 77 employees, while addressing the construction of more than $175 million of infrastructure during the next five years to address current and expected growth. She will be working with the City Council, city management, and the Brazos River Authority on long-range water supply planning.
“Chelsea has been an integral member of our team from her first day with the City, and we’re honored to have her as the Water Utility’s new leader,” City Manager David Morgan said. “Her technical expertise along with her dedication to employee development and customer satisfaction will be extremely valuable as we ensure the Water Utility addresses growth and long-term water planning needs.”
Prior to serving Georgetown, Solomon worked in the private sector, designing water and wastewater projects for public utilities, most notably for the City of Austin and the San Antonio Water System.
Williamson County starts call center for COVID-19 vaccine information
Williamson County has set up a call center to serve as a resource for residents interested in COVID-19 vaccine information. The call center number is 512-943-1600.
The call center is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call center representatives can assist individuals with information such as how to sign up on the Family Hospital Systems vaccine waitlist by walking them through the process over the phone, confirm that someone is on the waitlist, give information about the County’s vaccine plan, and share details on the County’s Vaccine Registration Technical Assistance (VRTA) sites.
For more information, go to Williamson County Call Center for COVID-19 Vaccine Information.
