Williamson County, Texas

County Judge Bill Gravell has signed an order effective Thursday, August 13, at 5 p.m., permitting Williamson County residents to have outdoor gatherings with more than 10 people in the unincorporated areas of Williamson County provided the gatherings comply with Governor Greg Abbott Executive Order GA-28, as amended, and future executive orders that may be issued by Governor Greg Abbott. Governor Abbott’s Order GA-28 includes limitations on capacity for events or occupancy limits that still apply. A copy of the order can be found here. This order also follows Governor Abbott’s Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over nose and mouth in public spaces.

Today, the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved agreements for Wilco Forward Phase III to provide rent and utility assistance to residents that are in need through partnerships with local non-profits. Terms of agreement were approved between Williamson County and The Caring Place, The Salvation Army, and the Round Rock Serving Center. Phase III is funded with $5 million from a combination of Community Development Block Grant funds and the approximately $93 million the County received in federal CARES Act funds. 

Williamson County’s Wilco Forward Small Business Grant Program issued 3,662 checks for a total of more than $34.2 million. The financial boost helped thousands of small businesses that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The County Auditor’s Office received a total of 4,194 applications from May 6, to June 30. A majority of the 466 applications that were denied were duplicates. The Auditor’s Office is still reviewing 66 more applications. While the amount issued per grant depended on whether the business was fully or partially closed starting March 2020, the average grant was $9,350.54. Both for-profit and non-profit businesses headquartered and located in Williamson County were eligible to apply. The deadline to apply for a grant was June 30. The program was made possible thanks to CARES Act Funds the County received from the federal government. Out of $93 million, $35 million was allocated for Wilco Forward, the remainder of the money will be utilized in phases. 

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/. 

Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order requiring all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions. The Governor also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10 people, and making it mandatory that, with certain exceptions, people cannot be in groups larger than ten and must maintain six feet of social distancing from others. Read more here.