Households in the Georgetown area should already have received a mailing from the U.S. Census Bureau in March. It’s not too late to respond. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline has been extended for census-takers going door-to-door. There is still time to be counted by responding online or by phone.

The mailing you received has information on how you can respond to the Census online or by phone. Or just go to go to 2020census.gov if you don’t have the mailing.

Since the census count of our population affects so much that happens locally, including federal funding and political representation, the City of Georgetown is partnering with the Census Bureau to encourage our residents to participate in the decennial count. The Georgetown Complete Count Committee, including staff from the City, Georgetown ISD, and a number of local nonprofits, is helping spread the word about the 2020 Census and why the census is important.

The census matters here: Census data are used to adjust electoral districts at all levels of government. An accurate count ensures all residents have a voice in how decisions are made. In addition, everyone who is counted represents $1,500 in funding for new highways, special education grants, schools lunches, hospitals, children’s health insurance, community development block grants, housing loans, and more than 100 programs.

Respond online, phone, or mail: The 2020 Census is the first time you can respond online. The mailer you received has instructions for how to respond online. If you can’t find the mailer, just go to census.gov/ and you will see how to respond. You also may respond by phone using a toll-free number included in the mailer. You can call any day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern Time at (844) 330-2020 for English or (844) 468-2020 for Spanish. Many other languages are available by phone.  If the Census does not receive a response online or by phone from your household, then a survey will be mailed to you or a census-taker will leave one at your door.

Required by the Constitution: Everyone living in the U.S. is required by law to be counted in the 2020 Census. The Constitution mandates a count of the population once every 10 years.

Ten questions: The census questionnaire includes 10 simple questions like the name, age, race, and sex, of people who live in your home on April 1. Other questions include whether you rent or own your home and a phone number in case the Census has any questions about your responses.

What the Census won’t ask: The Census will not ask you for your social security number, money or donations, credit card numbers, or citizenship status. If you suspect fraud from a mailer or phone call or someone at your door, call (800) 923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.

Answers are confidential: Your personal information is confidential and cannot be shared with anyone, including any government agencies or law enforcement. Your responses on the census cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. The Census uses responses to produce statistics with no identifiable information about you, your home, or your business. Information about individuals is protected by law for 72 years.

Responses are secure: Census responses are safe. Data encryption and two forms of authentication are used for ensure the security of responses.

The census population count is the basis for our representation at the Legislature and in Congress as well as billions of dollars in federal funding. The City aims to make sure everyone gets counted in the 2020 Census. Help to shape your future. You can learn more about the 2020 Census at census.gov/.

Georgetown Electric Utility has earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2019. The utility earned first place in the category for utilities with 60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure.

“Strong safety programs are essential to ensuring that electric utility employees are informed and trained on safe work procedures,” said Brandon Wylie, Chair of the Association’s Safety Committee and Director of Training & Safety at Electric Cities of Georgia. “The utilities receiving this award have proven that protecting the safety of their employees is a top priority.”

More than 335 utilities entered the annual Safety Awards, which is the highest number of entrants in the history of the program. Entrants were placed in categories according to their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records during 2019. The incidence rate, used to judge entries, is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2019, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“Employee safety is our topmost priority,” General Manager Daniel Bethapudi said. “I’m consistently impressed with the professionalism and commitment to our customers and safety shown by Georgetown’s electric utility employees. This award shows that our safety program is one of the best in the nation. I would like to thank all our electric utility employees for this great achievement.”

The Safety Awards have been held annually for the past 60 years. The American Public Power Association is the voice of nonprofit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide.

The City of Georgetown electric utility started in 1910 when the residents of Georgetown approved bonds for the construction of the Light and Water Works plant on Ninth Street. Today, the City of Georgetown electric utility serves about 25,000 customers in its service area, which includes most of the Georgetown city limits as well as areas on the north side of Round Rock.

As Georgetown small businesses continue to suffer financial fallout due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the City of Georgetown have approved funding for the Covid-19 Small Business Resource Grant.

Each entity has committed $100,000 to this grant, which seeks to provide immediate financial relief to Georgetown’s small businesses in amounts up to $5,000. The grant will assist with business expenses, such as rent and employee payroll.

“The coronavirus outbreak has sent us into uncharted territory,” Chamber President & CEO Jim Johnson said. “This grant is a critical step to mitigate the economic impacts of this challenge and help workers and businesses to weather the storm and come out stronger when things return to normal.” 

Businesses may visit www.georgetownchamber.org/coronavirus-grant for more information and to learn how to apply for funding.

The Georgetown City Council voted unanimously Friday to approve $100,000 toward the grant at the recommendation of Georgetown Economic Development Corp. The City’s contribution comes from unused promotion funds the State allows Type A corporations to utilize at their discretion.

“The vibrancy of Georgetown is a direct result of the many amazing small businesses in our community that make Georgetown that special place we call home,” Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross said. “That’s why we welcome the opportunity to partner with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce to administer the COVID-19 Small Business Resource grant. The City is sensitive to the challenges our businesses and residents are experiencing, and we want to provide as much support as we can during this unprecedented time in our City’s history.”

For information about the City’s response to COVID-19, as well as other resources for businesses and community members, visit bit.ly/COVID19GTX.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce is an independent 501(c)6 nonprofit organization with a mission to facilitate economic success for our community through advocacy, education and collaboration.

The Stay Home, Stay Safe order, enacted by Williamson County on March 24, requires all Williamson County residents, including Georgetown residents, to remain home, except to complete essential tasks or provide essential services.

For more details on the Stay Home, Stay Safe order and the City’s response to Coronavirus, go to the City of Georgetown Coronavirus (COVID-19) site.

Update: For the latest information on the City’s response to Coronavirus, go to the City of Georgetown Coronavirus (COVID-19) site.

City Council unanimously voted March 19 to extend the local disaster declaration issued by Mayor Dale Ross on March 14 through May 11.

The order’s primary purpose is to allow the City to take necessary steps to limit the development and spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the city based on information provided by public health agencies.

The original order followed disaster declarations by the President of the United States, the Texas Governor, and Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell. The extension follows a March 18 order from Judge Gravell, which limits gatherings of 10 or more and closed County facilities through May 11. Judge Gravell issued the order in response to the first, confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Williamson County.

The declaration allows the City to allocate resources, reorganize personnel, and enact procedures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Georgetown. It also allows for state assistance to be requested if local resources are insufficient.

As of today, more than 10,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 150 deaths from the disease have been reported in the United States. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott reported a total of 143 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three deaths in the State of Texas, as of March 19.?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects more cases of COVID-19 to be identified in the United States in the coming weeks.

Local COVID-19 information

The City has closed all City facilities to the public, effective 8 a.m. March 19 through May 11. This closure includes the main lobbies of the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Georgetown Municipal Complex (GMC), and City Hall.

Staff are prepared to continue providing services via telephone, email, and other digital means. For department contact information, please refer to the City directory. Additionally, the City is preparing to implement a continuity of operations plan if such steps are needed to protect public health.

The City continues to coordinate daily with local, regional, and state partners and adjust its response in the best interest of the health and safety of our community. The City regularly updates its central COVID-19 webpage with answers to frequently asked questions and other resources and information for residents.

The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care.

Health officials also recommend those at higher risk of Coronavirus because of their age or because they have serious, long-term health problems stay home as much as possible to reduce their risk of contracting the disease. The CDC has issued guidelines and quarantine recommendations for travelers returning from countries with elevated risk of coronavirus.