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Commissioner Cook Announces Free Testing Site in Georgetown from Sept. 12-15

information from Media Release from Wilco's Public Information Office

  • 11 September 2020
  • Author: Doris Sanchez
  • Number of views: 2827
  • 0 Comments

 Williamson County Office of Emergency Management in partnership with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and in coordination with the City of Georgetown will be hosting free COVID-19 testing September 12  through 15.  

Testing will be conducted at the Georgetown Community Center located at 445 East Morrow Street, beginning at 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until supplies last.   

This is a walk-up site that will not require an appointment prior to being tested. People interested in getting tested will be asked to park and line up for their turn. It is important to note that this is a cheek swab test, so people cannot eat, drink, or use tobacco products 20 minutes prior to the test. Please avoid bringing pets, unless it is a service animal. Residents should bring a cell phone for on-site registration. Also, please be aware that due to demand there may be a wait time. Bring shade coverings from the sun such as a hat or umbrella.   

COVID-19 testing at this site is available for all Texans, whether they are Williamson County residents or not. For more information on this and future testing sites, please visit www.wilco.org.  

Commissioner Cook Shares "Swiss Cheese" Layers of Protection from COVID-19 for Schools

Photo courtesy of the Williamson County and Cities Health District

  • 9 September 2020
  • Author: Doris Sanchez
  • Number of views: 3041
  • 0 Comments

Commissioner Cook Reminds Wilco Residents Texas Continues Experiencing High Levels Of Sustained Community Transmission

See Williamson County and Cities Health District data below showing a need for continued mitigation and vigilance.

  • 2 September 2020
  • Author: Doris Sanchez
  • Number of views: 2864
  • 0 Comments

New cases continue to decline, although we remain in Red phase (high community transmission) and these numbers may be artificially low due to reduced testing across the state.

Commissioner Cook's Commentary on Wilco's Emergency Response to Hurricane Laura

  • 1 September 2020
  • Author: Doris Sanchez
  • Number of views: 2884
  • 0 Comments

Even though you may feel that hurricane was far away, and heck, we didn’t even get rain out of it, Williamson County did receive hurricane refugees from the southeast.

On Wednesday night, August 26, Connie Odom, our Public Information Officer, put out notice that we’d been asked to provide housing for evacuees from Galveston, 57 rooms. Preparations were made with hotel/motels in Taylor, Hutto, Georgetown and Cedar Park.

Lo and behold, hours later and unexpectedly, our Emergency Management team was notified of need for hundreds of evacuees from the coast. COTA was setup as the receiving area to process these people, and then assignments to hotel destinations were made. Round Rock hotels/motels were added to the list and the result was:

  • Sheraton at Georgetown - 205; Marriott LaFrontera - 320; Best Western Taylor - 20; Comfort Inn Georgetown - 17; Hampton Inn Hutto - 14; Holiday Inn Express Hutto - 17; Wood Springs Suites - 40; Total Evacuees Sheltered - 633.

Williamson County Commissioners Court Approves Budget and Sets Tax Rate

Media Release from the Wilco Public Information Office (includes Commissioner Cook's quote below).

  • 25 August 2020
  • Author: Doris Sanchez
  • Number of views: 2855
  • 0 Comments

The Williamson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the total county budget of $394,690,355.64.  That is a slight increase of .00214 percent over last year’s adopted budget of $393,843,886.

The Commissioners Court also adopted a total tax rate for tax year 2020 of $0.458719 per $100 of valuation. The total tax rate is comprised of the General Fund, Road and Bridge Fund, and Debt Service Fund tax rates. That rate is the same as the County’s current total tax rate. This represents an increase of $10 for the year for the average valued home.

The FY21 General Fund budget is $222,981,680.00.  In this budget, the Commissioners Court strategically moved six positions from one department to another based upon need while not increasing the total number of employees from the previous year.

The FY 21 Road and Bridge Fund budget is $44,862,760.64.  As in previous years, this budget includes $5 million towards funding the County’s long-range transportation plan.

The Commissioners Court approved a law enforcement and corrections step pay increase of 2% and allocated 2% to go towards merit earned, lump sum payments for civilian employees. 

“During these unprecedented times, we took a very conservative approach with our budget and did not add to our total number of employees. County employees have served on the front lines during the pandemic response, and I am grateful for them. Non-law enforcement employees are eligible for a lump sum merit increase based upon performance,” said County Judge Bill Gravell. 

“I want to thank the County department heads, elected officials, and employees who worked with us to develop a lean budget that meets the needs of our County but is mindful of the unique time we find ourselves in,” said Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long.

The FY 21 Debt Service Fund budget is $126,845,915 and includes $25 million to pay down debt early.  

“The Commissioners Court has made paying down debt a priority as part of our annual budget process. Over 20 years, Williamson County has saved more than $135.6 million in interest through its efforts to pay off debt early and refinancing,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey.

“The tax rate for 2021 is the result of all of the departments in Williamson County government really stepping back and working through each of their individual budgets to identify those items they must have or maintain, then limiting their asks to those. It was a team effort in these very trying times. I’m so proud of everyone,” said Precinct 1 Commissioner Terry Cook.

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