This week we joined the Georgetown Public Library’s WOW!mobile (Words on Wheels) for a tweetalong to learn about how the library serves the people who may have difficulty visiting the community library, including children, teens, seniors, and those with physical limitations.

“The WOW!mobile is magical. My favorite thing about the WOW is that we are able to make the library accessible for everyone,” library Community Outreach Assistant Liz Pedrosa said. “We have the opportunity to serve patrons that may not know about their city library.”

Depending on the season, the bookmobile stops at communities for those age 55 and older and preschools, as well as participates in special events, such as National Night Out, back-to-school nights, fall festivals, citywide events, literacy nights, and movies in the park. Stop selections are based on a variety of factors including distance from the main library, mobility of residents, and service needs.

The bookmobile holds more than 2,000 items and operates four days a week with 23 scheduled stops made twice a month. During the 2023 Fiscal Year, the WOW!mobile checked out more than 34,500 items to both bookmobile and home delivery patrons.

“I love being out in Georgetown and meeting new people that I wouldn’t get to meet in the library,” Pedrosa said. “It’s always an adventure.”

We started the day at the library preparing for the day before heading out to visit two preschools and San Gabriel Senior Village to deliver books, DVDs, magazines, and other materials. During our morning with the WOW!mobile, we also delivered books to a patron that is unable to make it to the bookmobile. The library offers delivery for those who need it through the WOW!mobile and its home delivery van. You can learn more about the service here.

You can relive the day with us here.

Here are some highlights from our day:

The first day of early voting is Monday, Oct. 23, for the November election. Georgetown residents will be able to vote on four City bond propositions.

Early voting information

The early, in-person voting period is Oct. 23-Nov. 3. Election Day is Nov. 7.

Early voting locations in Georgetown are:

• Georgetown City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St., 78626
• Georgetown ISD Technology Building, 603 Lakeway Drive, 78628
• The Oaks Community Center-Sun City, 301 Del Webb Blvd., 78633
• Williamson County Georgetown Annex, 100 Wilco Way, 78626

For early voting, polls are open:

• 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 23-28
• Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 29.
• 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 30-Nov. 3

All polling locations in Williamson County, dates, and times during early voting and on Election Day are listed at wilcotx.gov/elections. Also on the elections website, find information on voter ID requirements, voter and sample ballot lookup, and an app to check live wait times at the polls. 

City bond propositions

Georgetown residents will vote on four City bond propositions that would provide funding to build a new Customer Service Center; completely renovate and expand the Georgetown Recreation Center on Austin Avenue; increase the City’s animal sheltering capacity; and partner with the YMCA of Central Texas to build a jointly owned recreation center.

The City expects to fund all four projects in the 2023 bond package within the existing tax rate, which has not increased since 2015. 

Prop A: Customer Service Center ($56 million)

Prop A would fund the construction of a Customer Service Center that would house most of the City’s most frequently visited, public-facing departments under one roof in a central location with ample parking. This one-stop-shop would include utility billing, customer care, 3-1-1, planning, permitting, engineering, information technology and human resources. The City anticipates building the Customer Service Center on land it already owns on FM 1460 across from the Georgetown Municipal Complex.

Prop B: Rec Center Expansion and Renovation ($49 million)

Prop B would fund the complete renovation of the Georgetown Recreation Center as well as a 30,000-square foot expansion. The resulting 95,000-square-foot recreational center would add a third gym and more multi-purpose space so summer camps and youth sports leagues could expand. The project would also include separate dedicated spaces for seniors and teens year-round; a larger childcare center and a new indoor playground; renovations to the indoor lap pool to enable more recreational uses; a longer indoor track; more fitness studios; a new covered outdoor fitness area; and more parking.

Prop C: Animal Shelter Expansion ($15 million)

Prop C would give the City the flexibility to expand its animal sheltering capacity by either joining the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) or expanding the current City shelter.

At this time, City Council has expressed a preference for joining the WCRAS, which is located in Georgetown, because it would save money long-term by allowing the City to split operating costs with the County and four other cities already participating in the regional shelter.  If for any reason the partnership does not move forward, the bond funds would be used to expand the City’s current shelter or build a new one.

Prop D: YMCA Partnership ($10 million)

The City of Georgetown and the YMCA of Central Texas propose to build a jointly-owned indoor recreation center at 6200 Williams Dr.  that is expected to include fitness and wellness areas, childcare amenities, multipurpose rooms and an aquatics center with a pool for recreation and lap swimming as well as a splash pad. The City’s financial contribution to construction would be capped at $10 million, and the YMCA would cover all operating costs long-term.

For information about the City’s four bond propositions, go to bonds.georgetown.org. For details about the City election, go to government.georgetown.org/city-secretary/elections.

Ground spraying scheduled Oct. 20 and 21 in Geneva Park

A Health District contractor is planning to conduct truck-mounted spraying on the evenings of Oct. 20 and 21, weather permitting, in the area shown on the map based on high mosquito populations this week, pervasive positive tests this season, and a positive West Nile virus mosquito samples that was collected Oct. 11 from a trap site in Geneva Park, 1021 Quail Valley Drive. Although the mosquito control product poses no significant health risk, if possible, people and pets may want to stay indoors during spraying.

Since the Williamson County and Cities Health District began this year’s testing in May, 27 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus. Williamson County has reported one positive human case of West Nile Virus to date.

Spraying Oct. 20 and 21 in Geneva Park

The City is following the Health District’s best practices for Integrated Mosquito Management which, at their recommendation, calls for truck-mounted spraying, along with enhanced monitoring and testing and increased public outreach and education. Enhanced mosquito control efforts will also continue with the treatment of standing water with larvicide.

A map is included showing the areas to be treated in the overnight hours Oct. 20 and 21, weather permitting. The use of the insecticide will reduce the adult mosquito population in that area.

What you can do

The most important way to prevent West Nile virus is to reduce the number of mosquitoes where people live, work, and play. Health officials strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing mosquito breeding on their personal property. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, needing as little as one teaspoon. By draining all sources of standing water in and around your property, you reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.

Eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed and reducing the chances of mosquito bites are the most effective lines of defense against exposure to West Nile virus. As part of its Fight the Bite campaign the Health District recommends:

• Draining standing water in flowerpots, pet dishes, clogged gutters, irrigation valve boxes, water meter boxes, and any drainage inlets. Even very small amounts of standing water can be a harborage for mosquitos to breed. See this homeowner checklist for a list of actions you can take.
• Using an EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Dressing in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
• Treating standing water with EPA-approved larvicides that are available for retail purchase. Larvicides are products used to kill immature mosquitoes before they become adults. Larvicides are applied directly to water sources that hold mosquito eggs, larvae, or pupae. When used consistently, larvicides can help reduce the overall mosquito burden by limiting the number of mosquitoes that are produced, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more information, go to the WCCHD website or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile website at txwestnile.org.

City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. There will be normal solid waste and recycling collection Nov. 10.

Click here for more information about the annual Veterans Day Ceremony in Sun City and the Field of Honor at the Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning.

City offices closed Nov. 10

The City offices and facilities closed Nov. 10 in observance of Veterans Day include the following:

• Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
• Animal Shelter, 110 Walden Drive
• Art Center, 816 S. Main St.
• City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
• Council and Courts Building (including Municipal Court), 510 W. Ninth St.
• Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
• Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.
• Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
• Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
• Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. The library will also be closed Nov. 6- 9 for inventory.
• Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records, and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood Road
• Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.

Facilities open

• Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
•  Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional closures

These facilities with regular weekend hours will also be closed Nov. 11:

• Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
• Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
• Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive

GoGeo paratransit bus service

There will be service Friday, Nov. 10.

Recycling and solid waste

There will be regular recycling and solid waste collection for City of Georgetown customers on Friday, Nov. 10. Please place carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day. For questions, call Texas Disposal Systems at 512-930-1715.

The annual Veterans Day Ceremony in Georgetown is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza, 2 Texas Drive. All veterans and their families attending will be recognized, and several veterans will participate in the program. The East View High School band, orchestra, and choir will provide music beginning at 10:45 a.m.

The guest speaker during the event is Lt. Gen. Richard R. Coffman, Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Futures Command.

Parking is available at the Sun City Social Center at 2 Texas Drive and across the street at the Activities Center at 1 Texas Drive. Seven hundred folding chairs will be placed at the memorial for event seating. Guests also may bring a folding chair and sit at the plaza under the trees.

The Sun City Community Association will serve refreshments on the Social Center patio after the ceremony.

The event is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the event will be held in the ballroom at the Social City Social Center, 2 Texas Drive.

More information available here.

Field of Honor®

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Georgetown and Georgetown ISD, is hosting its seventh annual Field of Honor® from Nov. 4-12 in the field behind the Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning, at 507 E. University Ave. This location is for this year only. The event will return to San Gabriel Park in 2024.

Multiple events will take place throughout the week. The event features a field of up to 1,400 American flags, each purchased to honor of a past or present veteran, active or reserve-duty military, or first responder, including K-9 and equestrian heroes. An opening ceremony is set for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Hammerlun Center. Keynote speakers include retired Adm. Christina Alvarado Shanahan and Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle L. Thompson. Gary Powers Jr., son of Frances Gary Powers will give a special presentation Nov. 10 about his father’s infamous U-2 incident during the Cold War. A Veterans Day Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 10. The keynote speaker is retired Gen. Jim Huggins.

Flags will be on display Nov. 4-12. The flag sales and repost tent will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Friday (Nov. 4-10) and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 11) and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 12). Proceeds from flag sales benefit veteran and first-responder organizations. Flag’s that have been purchased can be picked up from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12.

More information, including a schedule of events, can be found at georgetowntxfieldofhonor.org.

City offices closed

Many City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. Click here for a full list.

New facility will create up to 1,500 jobs producing cloud-computing and telecom hardware

ZT Systems, a global leader in advanced server solutions for cloud computing and artificial intelligence, has acquired a 430,000 square-foot facility in Georgetown, Texas. The cloud-computing manufacturing facility is located in the 146-acre NorthPark35 Class A industrial development at I-35 and SH 130 and is expected to be at full capacity in 2024. ZT Systems plans to hire up to 1,500 employees in high-tech jobs at the Georgetown facility.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome ZT Systems into our community,” Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder said. “The technology ZT Systems manufactures powers the digital world we all live in. The investment and jobs ZT Systems will bring to Georgetown make this one of our most significant economic development projects in our City’s history. Their partnership and presence in our community will strengthen our City and our region for decades to come.”

The new manufacturing site significantly enhances ZT’s production capabilities, enabling the company to swiftly respond to market dynamics and customer requirements. This strategic development aligns with a commitment to seamless scalability, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of solutions and services to customers around the world. The cutting-edge Georgetown site furthers ZT’s mission to empower our digital world with the most advanced technology infrastructure for cloud and AI. This facility enables ZT Systems to assemble, integrate, test, and deploy purpose-built server solutions that deliver optimal performance for customer workloads. The implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies ensures that every server shipped meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and efficiency. With a legacy of pioneering innovation for the past 29 years, ZT Systems continues to promote economic growth, cultivate skilled talent, and advance technology in the U.S. with domestic manufacturing. The new ZT Systems manufacturing site is more than a physical space; it is a symbol of the company’s continued commitment to fostering economic growth and technological advancement within the United States.

“We are thrilled to inaugurate this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the growing tech ecosystem of Greater Austin,” said Doug Huang, President of ZT Systems. “This marks a significant step forward in our company’s journey to lead our industry, enabling us to create more high-tech jobs in the U.S. while at the same time accelerating the development of groundbreaking cloud and AI server solutions for our customers.”

What are your top priorities for the City of Georgetown? How would you rate our City parks, library, police, fire/EMS, and other City services? How can the City improve?

Here is your chance to tell us. The City is seeking resident input on its biennial resident survey on City services. The survey will be mailed to a random sample of 2,500 residents starting the week of Oct. 16. The survey is expected to take about 20 minutes to complete. All answers are anonymous.

An online survey will be open to all Georgetown residents Nov. 30-Dec. 15. The online open survey, as well as a mailed survey, is being conducted by Texas State University for the City of Georgetown.

Results from the survey help inform future City budgets, capital improvement projects, departmental workplans, and new programs. The survey is a way to measure resident satisfaction with City services and perceptions about City conditions.

“The data from this survey will be instrumental to me, City Council, and staff in strategic planning and budgeting of available resources to maintain high-quality services,” Mayor Josh Shroeder said. “Your responses will contribute to a quality dataset that City leaders will use to make decisions regarding current and future services. Thank you for taking the time to weigh in on the future of Georgetown.”

The most recent resident satisfaction survey in 2020 showed residents said the overall quality of life and the general quality of service received from City departments was good or excellent.

Areas in the survey rated lower by residents included traffic, mobility, and development, with traffic flow on major streets being a top concern. An open-ended question in the last survey asked residents to identify their top priorities. The most frequent top priorities mentioned were crime and public safety, growth management, water, utility bills, parks, trails, and bike lanes and sidewalks.

The City continues to invest in public safety, planning, mobility, and infrastructure. Since Fiscal Year 2021, the City has:

• Started work on the $120 million mobility bond election voters approved in 2021; continued to work with Williamson County and state and federal transportation agencies for other regional transportation projects.
• Increased the police budget by 43 percent. Georgetown continues to be a safe place: Part 1 crimes have remained relatively flat, while the population has increased an estimated 74 percent since 2011.
• Prioritized managing growth by leading the development of several long-term management plans, including water/wastewater, Downtown Master Plan, Unified Development Code rewrite, the Future Mobility Plan, and multiple corridor and transportation plans.
• Invested significantly in water infrastructure, including the $200 million South Lake Water Treatment Plant and entered into a two-year negotiation agreement to secure additional raw-water supply.
• Improved multiple trails, parks, and sidewalks, including the South San Gabriel Trail extension, starting on Phase III improvements to San Gabriel Park, and sidewalks in and around downtown.

The 2023 Georgetown Resident Survey will build on past resident survey results by allowing the City to observe trends in resident priorities or preferences. This survey ensures the City is collecting feedback from a representative sample of Georgetown residents. Results will be shared with the City Council and public in January.

Ground spraying scheduled Oct. 8 and 9 in Sun City

A Health District contractor is planning to conduct truck-mounted spraying on the evenings of Oct. 8 and 9, weather permitting, in the area shown on the map based on a positive West Nile virus mosquito sample that was collected Sept. 27 from a trap site on the Yellow Rose Trail in Sun City. Although the mosquito control product poses no significant health risk, if possible, people and pets may want to stay indoors during spraying.

Since the Williamson County and Cities Health District began this year’s testing in May, 26 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus. Williamson County has reported one positive human case of West Nile Virus to date.

Spraying Oct. 8 and 9 in Sun City

The City is following the Health District’s best practices for Integrated Mosquito Management which, at their recommendation, calls for truck-mounted spraying, along with enhanced monitoring and testing and increased public outreach and education. Enhanced mosquito control efforts will also continue with the treatment of standing water with larvicide.

A map is included showing the areas to be treated in the overnight hours Oct. 8 and 9, weather permitting. The use of the insecticide will reduce the adult mosquito population in that area.

What you can do

The most important way to prevent West Nile virus is to reduce the number of mosquitoes where people live, work, and play. Health officials strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing mosquito breeding on their personal property. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, needing as little as one teaspoon. By draining all sources of standing water in and around your property, you reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.

Eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed and reducing the chances of mosquito bites are the most effective lines of defense against exposure to West Nile virus. As part of its Fight the Bite campaign, the Health District recommends:

• Draining standing water in flowerpots, pet dishes, clogged gutters, irrigation valve boxes, water meter boxes, and any drainage inlets. Even very small amounts of standing water can be a harborage for mosquitos to breed. See this homeowner checklist for a list of actions you can take.
• Using an EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Dressing in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
• Treating standing water with EPA-approved larvicides that are available for retail purchase. Larvicides are products used to kill immature mosquitoes before they become adults. Larvicides are applied directly to water sources that hold mosquito eggs, larvae, or pupae. When used consistently, larvicides can help reduce the overall mosquito burden by limiting the number of mosquitoes that are produced, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information, go to the WCCHD website or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile website at txwestnile.org.

The Georgetown City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2024 budget Sept. 12 and the property tax rate Sept. 26. The adopted FY2024 budget totals $868 million and maintains the City’s property tax rate of 37.4 cents.

The City’s property tax rate remains among the lowest of all cities in the Austin area with a population greater than 20,000.

By keeping the rate to 37.4 cents per $100 of valuation, the average property tax bill is expected to increase by $125.

Following rate studies for solid waste and water/wastewater services, Georgetown residents and customers can expect solid waste and water and wastewater rates to increase as well. The budget includes a solid waste rate increase of 4.5 percent for residential customers, or about $0.98 per month, and 9.5 percent for commercial users. Water and wastewater rates will increase 13 percent for all customer types, or approximately $6 a month for a family using 6,000 gallons of water per month. Residential wastewater customers in the city limits will see a $5.05 a month increase, and those outside the city limits will see a $5.80 a month increase.

“In the next fiscal year, residents are going to see a continued investment in the future of Georgetown, including in our transportation and utility infrastructure, as well as customer service and public safety,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said. “This year’s adopted budget addresses the challenges we’ve seen from our rapid growth while maintaining the services our residents expect.”

The proposed budget is online at finance.georgetown.org. The adopted budget book will be available online later this year.

Major themes of the proposed budget are investments in transportation and utility infrastructure, public safety, and customer services. Adequately funding those priorities—particularly building the infrastructure needed to keep pace with growth, responding to development pressures, and retaining and recruiting high-caliber employees—contributed to the proposed budget being $146 million more than the current fiscal year’s adopted budget of $722 million. Of this increase, $53 million can be attributed to the growth in the City’s FY2024 capital improvement program over the previous year.

Highlights of the adopted budget include:

• 51 positions in key areas such as water and electric, public safety, and a customer service 311-like call center
• Employee recruitment and retention: The budget includes an average merit pay of 4 percent and conducting additional market reviews for City positions.
• Implementation of a 311 Call Center to help centralize residential calls for City services, streamline processing and reporting of service calls, improve response times, and enhance customer service Citywide.
• Electric utility staffing, technology, and security, infrastructure to maintain system reliability, and enhanced cash reserve levels.
• Water plant operations staffing, as well as capital improvement projects, including upsizing waterlines, rehabilitating the Dove Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant, expanding the III Forks wastewater plant, and other investments in infrastructure to ensure water demands in the City’s water service area meet current and future growth.
• The adopted budget includes a $6 million increase from the proposed budget for a groundwater supply reservation contract.

For more information, visit finance.georgetown.org.