Williamson County, Texas

On Tuesday, the Williamson County Commissioners Court’s approved calling an election for two propositions on the November 5, 2019, General Election ballot. The first is for voters to decide on whether or not to authorize the issuance of bonds not to exceed $412 million for roads, and the second is for issuing bonds not to exceed $35 million for parks and recreation. Williamson County estimates that passage of the two bond propositions will not result in an increase in the county’s debt service tax rate of $0.1675 per $100 of valuation. Information is available on the county’s website at www.wilco.org/bondelection.

The Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector’s offices will be closed August 13 to 15, 2019 on a rotating schedule for staff training. While one office is closed, other office locations will be open regular business hours. The office closure schedule is as follows:

•    Tuesday, August 13 - Round Rock Tax Office, 1801 E. Old Settlers Boulevard
•    Wednesday, August 14 – Georgetown Tax Office, 904 S. Main Street
•    Thursday, August 15 - Cedar Park Tax Office, 350 Discovery Boulevard, and Taylor Tax Office, 412 Vance Street

When Williamson County voters head to the polls this fall, they will be using new voting equipment that provides a paper audit trail. The new system by Election Systems and Software (ES&S) is a two-step process that allows voters to make selections on an electronic marking device, then provides a printed ballot voters will scan into an electronic tabulator. To help voters become acquainted with the new system, the Elections Department is hosting open houses August 7 to 19 where voters can stop by and use the new system to cast votes for a fictional election in the Land of Oz. Voters also can stop by the Elections Department during Voter Drop-In Hours August 20 to 23 to use the equipment. For more in-depth information on the new voting equipment, visit  www.wilco.org/wilcovotes and www.wilco.org/wilcovota. 

The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a recommended allocation of $1,467,836 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in the county’s 2019 Annual Action Plan. Funds are intended to primarily benefit low- to moderate-income persons in Williamson County. The public now is invited to review and comment on the county’s 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan, the 2019 Annual Action Plan and the updated Citizen Participation Plan from July 1 to July 31, 2019.  Plans are available to review on the website at http://www.wilco.org/cdbg  and at the city halls for the cities of Cedar Park, Coupland, Georgetown, Granger, Hutto, Jarrell, Leander, Liberty Hill, Taylor and Weir. Written comments must be received by July 31, 2019. In addition, a public hearing regarding the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan will be held by the Williamson County CDBG office on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. at the Williamson County Courthouse located at 710 Main Street, Georgetown, TX 78626. Please use the 8th Street entrance.

Williamson County offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observance of the July 4th Independence Day holiday.  In addition, the Commissioners Court will not meet on Tuesday, July 2, and will resume their regular schedule on Tuesday, July 9, at 9:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom on the second floor of the historic courthouse, 710 S. Main Street, in Georgetown. The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS), 1855 S.E. Inner Loop in Georgetown, will be open from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and will have a $4 adoption special for adult dogs and cats from June 29 to July 7. Justice of the Peace offices in Precinct 1 and 4 will open with limited staff on July 5. Click this story for more details.