Williamson County offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 26, and on Friday, November 27, 2020. The county will resume normal working hours on Monday, November 30. The Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting has been canceled for Tuesday, December 1, due to the holiday. The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but will resume operations on Friday, November 27. Schedule your adoption appointment by emailing [email protected].

November 10, the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with Hill Country Community Ministries to join three other non-profits in providing rent and utility assistance to residents in need due to COVID-19 through the Wilco Forward Phase III program. Terms of agreement were already in place between Williamson County and The Caring Place, The Salvation Army, and the Round Rock Serving Center. Hill Country Community Ministries will service Cedar Park, Leander, and all areas on the west side of Williamson County in coordination with the Salvation Army. 

Williamson County Parks Department launched their first-ever Parks Pass that will offer special benefits for those interested in spending time outdoors at a Williamson County park facility. The goal of the program is to encourage residents to visit County parks and reward those who are frequent users of county parks with discounts. The Parks Pass will waive some day-use fees and provide discounts on overnight camping, and pavilion rentals, among other benefits.

Williamson County and Family Emergency Room announced an improved contract to provide better COVID-19 testing services.  Testing is available for all.  The charges for COVID-19 tests are currently covered by most insurance companies, and Family Emergency Room will bill the patient's insurance company at no cost to the patient.  Tests for any Williamson County resident without insurance will be paid for by the county.  The renewed partnership is a continuation of hard work between the two entities to make testing more accessible.  For more information on a PCR (nasal swab test) and the Antibody Test, or to schedule a test appointment, please go to the following link: https://familyhospitalsystems.com/covid-19/. 

The Williamson County Wilco Forward Small Business Grant Program has issued 3,509 grants as of Monday, June 29, totaling more than $33.2 million. Small business owners who have not submitted an application for a grant through the Wilco Forward program have until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2020, to do so. Phase 1 targeted helping local small businesses through the creation of the Wilco Forward grant program with $35 million allocated to the cause. As part of Phase 2, the Williamson County Commissioners Court allotted $20 million to reimburse  Williamson County cities for COVID-19 related expenses. Additionally, $1 million was allocated to the Williamson County and Cities Health District for their COVID-19 expenses. Also included was $500,000 for Emergency Services Districts (ESD) and $500,000 for Bluebonnet Trails Community Services for COVID-19 related expenses. On June 23, $5 million was allocated for Phase III going toward community services that focus on rent or mortgage assistance and utility assistance. For details on eligibility and more on the Wilco Forward program visit https://www.wilco.org/forward.