FEBRUARY 2009

Williamson County offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2009 for Presidents Day

February 2 Tax Deadline
Because January 31 falls on a Saturday, state law allows for property taxes to be paid by Monday, February 2, 2009, to avoid being delinquent. On February 3, 2009, property tax law requires an additional seven percent be charged in penalties and interest on all unpaid taxes. Payments that are mailed must be postmarked February 2, 2009. The tax office can only recognize a U.S. Postal Service postmark as proof that a payment was mailed on time. Mail payments to Deborah M. Hunt, Tax Assessor-Collector, 904 S. Main Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626. More

Vintage Valentines “Hands on History” Event
Create your own vintage Valentine during the next “Hands-On History” activity for kids and families. To join in on the fun, visit the Williamson Museum, 716 S. Austin Ave., on Saturday, February 14, from 10:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.. Participants can use doilies and paper hearts to make a card for that special someone. The Museum is free to the public and will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For information, contact Mickie Ross at 943-1670.

Williams Drive Update
The TxDOT Commission approved the transfer of ownership of Williams Drive from the west side of IH 35 to FM 3405 to Williamson County. This section of Williams Dive is going to be expanded to ease traffic in the area. A groundbreaking will be held on February 16, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. on the north side of Williams Drive just past Del Webb Boulevard behind the First Texas Bank, 5321 Williams Drive. More

County Road 313 Set To Open
County Road 313 East has been paved and will soon be striped, it’s ribbon cutting is scheduled for February 3 at 4 p.m. Williamson County has been working to connect CR 313 west 2,000 feet to IH-35 in Jarrell near the Sonterra development. The road is a two-lane rural section widening at intersections with turn lanes. The ribbon cutting will be scheduled for February 3 at 4 p.m.

Second Chance for Love Weekend
The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter will be participating with PetSmart Charities in their “Second Chance for Love Weekend” on February 13-15. Adoption fees will be reduced, and more animals will be available for adoption at the PetSmart in Wolf Ranch on these days.

January Proclaimed as Mentoring Month
Williamson County Commissioners announced January as Mentoring Month. The decision to adopt it as a county was made to increase awareness of mentoring programs and hopefully have more mentors available to more children. To learn how you can become a mentor, click more.

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Phase III Opening
The grand opening for the latest section of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail will be held on Saturday March 7, 2009. The Greater Williamson County YMCA will be hosting the TrailSetter 5k starting at 8:45 a.m. and a kids 1k starting at 10:30 a.m. More

Presidents Day Pet Sale – Welcome a new Chief Executive to your home!
Adoption fees will be reduced from February 16 to 22 in honor of President’s Day.

Softball Registration Begins
The Spring Softball League will begin their registration January 26 and will continue through February 9. Games will begin the week of March 2. For more details visit www.wilco.org, select the Parks and Recreation department and choose the softball tab or click here.

Feral Cat Spay Day
On Wednesday, February 25, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter will alter, administer rabies vaccinations, and ear tip feral cats in honor of National Feral Cat Spay Date. Appointments may be made between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at (512) 943-3322.

Obedience Classes Available
The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter will begin offering a 10 week obedience class, one night a week in late February. The fee for animals adopted from the shelter is $80.00 and the fee for all others is $100.00 for the course. The classes will be held at the shelter on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Watch the website and for a new release for more details or click here.

Books for Texans Meeting
The next meeting of the Books for Texans Book Club will be held on Tuesday, February 17. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Hewlitt Room in the Georgetown Public Library, located at 402 W. 8th Street in Georgetown. More Than Petticoats by Greta Anderson is the current selection for the book club. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.williamsonmuseum.org or call the Museum at 512-943-1670.

300 Visit Commissioners Office during Open House
Commissioner Ron Morrison and his staff members Pete Correa and Nancy Heath thank everyone who attended their Open House on January 15th. Even though it was a very cold day, they had close to 300 visitors from the Precinct 4 area including Coupland, Thrall, Taylor, Granger, Bartlett, Schwertner, Normans Crossing, Hutto, and Round Rock. They also had visitors from Georgetown, Austin, and Houston. Commissioner Morrison said he plans to continue the Open House event on an annual basis. The Commissioner’s office is located at 350 Exchange Blvd., Bldg. 100, Hutto, TX 78634, and the number is (512) 846-1190.

New Health Education Classes
Williamson County & Cities Health District’s Community Health Education and Social Services division is offering new diabetes, parenting and nutrition and physical activity classes in various locations throughout the county. Please call 512-248-3252, e-mail healthed@wcchd.org or visit www.wcchd.org for more information.

7th Annual Children’s Health Festival
The 7th Annual Children’s Health Festival will be held March 7, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the United Heritage Center at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. Come and experience a fun filled event for children and their families. Information and resources on healthy eating, physical activity and safety are provided. For more information call 512-248-3252, email healthed@wcchd.org or visit www.wcchd.org/chf.htm.

Lankford New Chief Appraiser
The Williamson County Appraisal District (WCAD) has named Alvin Lankford as their new chief appraiser. He begins effective March 1. He is a 2007 graduate of the Texas Association of Appraisal District’s Chief Appraiser Institute and received his Registered Professional Appraiser designation in 2003. More

New Precinct One Justice of the Peace Hours
Precinct One Justice of the Peace Dain Johnson’s Traffic Office has extended their hours of operation to 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. These hours will go into effect January 20, 2009. More

Brown Santa Thanks Volunteers and Donors
The Williamson County Brown Santa is hosting an appreciation event to thank their many sponsors and volunteers for a successful year on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. Brown Santa assisted more than 700 families and 2,200 children! Nearly $20,500 in donations were raised. The ceremony starts at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at the Williamson County Central Maintenance Facility Training Room, 3151 S.E. Inner Loop, Georgetown.