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Businesses can open to 75 percent capacity as hospitalization rates go down
Update: Williamson County announced Jan. 31 that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has permitted bars in the County to open at 50 percent capacity.
Williamson County was notified Jan. 30 by the Texas Department of State Health Services that it is no longer in a high hospitalization area. Since the COVID-19 hospitalization rate has been under 15 percent for seven consecutive days, the capacity at specified businesses can increase from 50 percent to 75 percent in Williamson County, including Georgetown.
See details: Williamson County at Williamson County No Longer a High Hospitalization Area
Black History Month events in February
There are several ways to recognize Black History Month in Georgetown throughout February.
Georgetown Public Library
The Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St., offers items available for curbside check out to enrich Black History Month. Library staff also encourages people to participate in the African American Read-in, an initiative to read works by Black authors during the month of February. Find more information about their offerings at library.georgetown.org.
Tuesday Talks with Britin and Ann
February’s Tuesday Talks with Britin and Ann at noon Feb. 2 on Zoom and Facebook Live, will tie into this year’s national theme of Black History Month “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, Diversity.” The meeting will include special guest Paulette Taylor, president of the Georgetown Citizens and Cultural Memorial Association, for “Representation, Identify and Diversity Celebrated in Georgetown’s Track-Ridge-Grasshopper Neighborhood.”
The Track-Ridge-Grasshopper Neighborhood has been home to members of Georgetown’s African-American community for more than 150 years. Learn more about the neighborhood’s history as well as other community celebrations for Black History Month.
Find more information, including how to participate in the virtual meeting, at historic.georgetown.org.
Georgetown Cultural Citizen Memorial Association
The Georgetown Cultural Citizen Memorial Association will host several virtual family events in Georgetown to celebrate Black History Month in February.
The group will present a reading of Georgetown Police Officer Delta Jolly’s book “Officer Jolly Earns Her Badge,” from 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 6 on Zoom. The presentation is in partnership with The Williamson Museum, The Lone Star Chapter, and The Links Incorporated. Participants will be able to pick up activity packets, including stickers, crayons, and coloring and workbook pages, prior to the event at The Williamson Museum. Visit https://bit.ly/3agcHRE for more information and to register to attend.
Teenagers ages 13-18 and their parents are invited to attend a presentation of “The Key: Money Choices for Teens” by Marjorie L. Anderson from 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 13. The event will offer advice on managing finances and good financial habits that can last a lifetime.
The group will also host a presentation of “Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation” by LaTasha Morrison for youth and adults age 15 and older from 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 25. The event is a community conversation about reconciliation, historical factors, and the realities of racial tensions, as well as a dialogue about righteousness, justice, and healing.
For more information about the GCCMA events, visit gccmatx.org.
The Williamson Museum
The Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., will open the “Heritage and Horizons: The Black Legacy of Williamson County” exhibit on Feb. 10. The exhibit, which celebrates Black individuals, families and groups who were integral to the history of Williamson County, runs through Aug. 1, 2022. For more information about the exhibit, as well as additional museum events, visit williamsonmuseum.org.
Virtual Chase the Chief 5K and Fun Run on March 7-12
The ninth annual Chase the Chief 5K and Fun Run is going virtual this year. Registration is open, and participants will be able to participate at their own pace in their own space March 7-12.
The goal of Chase the Chief is to encourage students and their families to lead active, healthy lives. This event is a joint fitness initiative by the Georgetown Police Department, Georgetown ISD, and the Georgetown Health Foundation.
Participants can track their distance on a fitness app, take a screenshot, and email it to chasethechief@georgetown.org to be entered into a prize drawing. All submissions are due by 5 p.m. March 14.
Registration for the event is priced at $5 for students and $10 for adults. Register by Jan. 31 to receive a T-shirt. Packet pick up will be from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. March 3-5 at the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, 3500 D.B. Wood Road.
Proceeds from this event will help fund grants for physical education programs at Georgetown area schools.
For more information and to register, go to ChaseTheChief.georgetown.org.
Georgetown Parks and Recreation to host virtual Cupid’s Chase 5K and Fun Run
The 26th annual Cupid’s Chase 5K and Kids Fun Run is going virtual in 2021.
The virtual race will take place Feb. 13-21 with participants completing 3.1 miles at the location of their choice.
The registration cost is $25 for the 5K for ages 11 and up and $10 for the Kids Fun Run for ages 10 and under. Registration ends on Jan. 22.
All participants will receive a race T-shirt. The first 200 5K participants will also receive a cooling towel and all Kids Fun Run participants will receive a race T-shirt and a goody bag. Participants can select to pick up these items during packet pickup at the Georgetown Recreation Center or have them shipped to their home for a $5 shipping fee.
“While we love seeing our community gather in person for this race, we’re adapting our events to keep everyone safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Melissa Trahan-Pecorino, Special Events and Marketing Coordinator for Georgetown Parks and Recreation. “We are excited for the opportunity to continue this longstanding Georgetown community tradition in this ‘virtual’ format this year.”
The race will not be officially timed, but participants are encouraged to submit photos of their time to be entered into a drawing for door prizes.
Cupid’s Chase is sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. To register online or for details, go to cupid.georgetown.org.
New pet for Christmas? Here’s what you need to know
Did your family get a new puppy or kitten for Christmas this year? Here are some important things to remember when caring for your new pet in the City of Georgetown.
Leash your pet: Always leash your pet in public. It is against City ordinances for dogs to be at large in the city limits, and for cats that have not been altered or vaccinated to be at large. It is also against City ordinances to chain or tether your dog unless a person is holding the restraint with a few exceptions.
License your pet: All dogs and cats that live within the city limits are required to have an annual City license. The City’s pet-license requirement helps keep rabies under control by enforcing the rabies vaccination requirements. The cost of a license is $5 for animals that are spayed or neutered or $20 for unaltered animals. For residents age 65 and older, the license is free if the pet is spayed or neutered. Free licenses are limited to one per person.
Take care after your pet: You may not allow an animal to damage private property other than the owner’s property. Pick up after your pet by immediately removing any waste on public or private property and properly disposing of it. Free-roaming cats that cause a nuisance while off their owner’s property can be impounded, and their owner can be fined.
Learn more about Georgetown’s animal-related ordinances at pets.georgetown.org/overview/ordinances.
About the Georgetown Animal Shelter
The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter is located at 110 W.L. Walden Drive. The shelter is currently operating by appointment during its normal operating hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. For more information, visit pets.georgetown.org.
Georgetown Parks and Recreation to host virtual youth fishing derby
Georgetown Parks and Recreation will host a virtual Youth Fishing Derby Jan. 16-31 at Blue Hole Park, 100 Blue Hole Park.
Admission into the derby is free and open to youth age 12 and younger. A fishing permit is required for anglers age 17 and older. All participants must register in advance to be eligible for the prize drawing.
Blue Hole Park will be stocked with 1,500 rainbow trout prior to the event. Unlike previous years, participants will fish on their own time and submit photos to be eligible for prizes. Prizes will be drawn at random for those who submit a photo of their trout catch. More information about the process is available on the website and instructions on how to submit photos will be sent with the registration confirmation.
Due to rising COVID-19 case numbers in Williamson County, participants should maintain physical distancing of at least six feet from others not in their household. When not able to physically distance, face masks or coverings are encouraged. Good hand hygiene is also encouraged. Find out more at bit.ly/COVID19GTX.
For more information and to register, visit parks.georgetown.org/fishing-derby.
Recycling Christmas trees and boxes this holiday season
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. There is no solid waste or recycling collection on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Solid waste and recycling pick up slides one day to Saturday. For more information, click here.
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 Transfer 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 Transfer 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.
Transfer Station: Normal hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 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 three drop-off locations throughout Georgetown. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3nt88Zh.
2020-21 Sculpture Tour awards announced
The City of Georgetown Arts and Culture Board has awarded John Mark Luke the first prize award in the 2020-21 Sculpture Tour, a juried year-long outdoor exhibit in the historic downtown Georgetown Cultural District. Luke won for his piece “Interaction of Thought V,” a piece created from laminated wood, clear fiberglass and resin, steel rebar, and a semi-truck brake drum. The sculpture is located on Main Street near its intersection with Eighth Street.
Second prize went to Marla Ripperda for “Uncommon Egret” crafted from two-part epoxy clay over expanded metal lath. This piece is located on Eighth Street near the corner of Main Street.
The other sculptures accepted into the tour include:
“Butterfly” by Mary Angers
“Golden Hugs” by Marianne Caroselli
“Zenith” by Scy Caroselli
“And He Was Sad” (Eeyore) by Bob Coffee
“Ventura” by Humberto DeGarrio
“Paths We Choose” by Anthony St. James
“Great Bird” by Peter Mangan
“Letting Go” by Peter Mangan
“Twist” by Peter Mangan
“Moment of Reflection” by Dan Pogue
“Luminous Beings Are We” by Kirk Seese
“Pluma Sculptura”, aka The Feather by Kirk Seese
“Tree Branches” by Kirk Seese
“Nine” by Scott Shubin
“Sunburst” by Scott Shubin
“The Optimist” by Linda Wilde
The board selected these 18 sculptures from a total of 33 pieces submitted for consideration by 22 artists. All sculptures will remain on exhibit through October 2021.
For more information, including a map of the sculpture tour and images of the sculptures, visit arts.georgetown.org/art/sculpture-tour.
City provides electric rate relief to customers starting in January 2021
Georgetown electric utility customers will see a decrease to the power cost adjustment, or PCA, on their monthly electric bills starting with their January 2021 energy consumption.
The City is decreasing the PCA charge by $0.01 per kilowatt hour, resulting in a new PCA of $0.01375 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from $0.02375 per kWh. Georgetown customers will see the change reflected on their January energy consumption, which will be billed in February. For a residential customer whose monthly average consumption is 1,000 kWh, the change to the PCA charge will result in a reduction of $10 per month.
The PCA is a tool widely used by electric utilities to help recover costs above the projected budget. The PCA charge is in addition to the regular charge per kilowatt hour for energy. The main energy charge, which for residential customers is $0.0958 per kilowatt hour, will remain the same.
“We have worked diligently in the past two years to improve the electric utility’s management and financial position,” Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder said. “We are starting to see the positive results in the form of improved electric fund position, which lets us lower the PCA for our customers. Our work isn’t done, but I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and know we’ll continue to do everything we can to lessen the burden on our customers.”
The electric fund has recovered enough for the utility to be able to provide this rate relief to customers due to several steps the City has taken in the past two years, including the following:
- Restructuring utility staff, including hiring a new general manager, Daniel Bethapudi.
- Improving energy portfolio management practices, including consistent and disciplined risk-management practices outlined in the new risk management policy.
- Bringing on better expertise to manage a complex energy portfolio. Shell Energy North America, Crescent Power, and ACES Power work in close collaboration with the electric utility staff to manage the energy portfolio.
- Increasing focus on additional revenue streams and revenue assurance to improve the overall financial position. This work includes selling Renewable Energy Credits and better cost recovery related to infrastructure additions.
- Adopting electric utility financial best practices that improved financial performance and flexibility.
- Conducting a strategic review of electric utility business functions to identify opportunities to for cost reductions. This review resulted in the sale of substation assets, which reduced overall operating costs and cash infusion.
The electric fund ended Fiscal Year 2020 with a reserve of $28.4 million, which compares to an ending reserve of $5.9 million in FY 2019. The ending fund balance for FY 2020 is healthy, and the utility meets all City budgetary and fiscal reserve requirements. The electric fund expects additional cost reductions when two energy contracts with Mercuria expire in 2021.
For more information, please visit gus.georgetown.org/electric.
City Council District 2 runoff election results
The Williamson County Elections office posted final unofficial results in the Dec. 15 runoff election for City Council District 2:
| Race | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
| City Council District 2 | Shawn Hood | 857 | 66.54 |
| Lisa King | 431 | 33.46 |
See complete Dec. 15, 2020, runoff election results at wilco.org/elections.
Votes will be canvassed at a special City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22. During that meeting, the newly-elected city council member for City Council District 2 will take the oath of office. The council chamber will be open with limited seating for the ceremony. Viewing the live ceremony on GTV channel 10, on the City website, or via Facebook Live is encouraged.
