On May 17, the Williamson County Commissioners Court voted to increase property tax exemptions, providing tax relief to all residential homesteads in the county.  Property tax exemptions for persons 65 and older increased from $90,000 to $125,000. Property tax exemption for disabled persons increased from $75,000 to $125,000. In addition, the Commissioners Court increased the homestead property tax exemption for all homeowners from 1.5% of their homestead’s assessed value to 5% or a minimum of $5,000. In order to qualify, property owners must apply for the homestead exemption through the Williamson Central Appraisal District. More information is available on their website: https://www.wcad.org/online-exemption-information/. Applying for exemptions is free.

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) is experiencing a life-saving crisis in medium-to-large adult dogs and is requesting the assistance of the local community to get through it. Compared to last year at this time, the WCRAS has taken in 200 more dogs, creating a critical issue as they have run out of space to house medium-to-large adult dogs. To help make space, the shelter is offering free adoptions for all medium-to-large adult dogs. For those not able to adopt at this time, fostering is available. To see all of the adoptable dogs that qualify for this special, go to the WCRAS website.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Williamson County businesses, residents and nonprofits affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on March 21, 2022. View the SBA fact sheet in English and Spanish.

In Williamson County, a Disaster Loan Outreach Center is open Monday through Friday at the Wayfinders Church, 508 N. 5^th Street, in Jarrell. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Starting Monday, May 16, a Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open at 1 p.m. at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center, 1600 Gattis School Road, in Round Rock. The center will be open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. View the press release for more information. 

Williamson County is hosting its Annual Learn to Fish Day in the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park, located at 3005 CR 175, Leander, Texas on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 8 a.m. to noon. Children of all ages will be able to spend time learning various fishing tips and techniques from local experts. The Learn to Fish Day event is free and open to the public.

If you were impacted by the March 21 tornadoes in Williamson County or would like to help others, please check out this list of resources.

If you need assistance due to the tornadoes, contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 option 4, or the Austin Disaster Relief Network at 512-806-0800.