Williamson County, Texas

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.
 

On August 24, the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved the implementation of an Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning in the unincorporated areas of Williamson County and continuing for a period not to exceed 90 days. The order also prohibits smoking in and/or on Williamson County parks, preserves, and trails. The order authorizes County Judge Bill Gravell to lift the ban if conditions improve during the effective period of the burn ban. For additional restrictions, requirements and details relating to the Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning, the Order may be viewed here.   

A sampling of mosquitoes taken at a trap near the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park, 3005 CR 175 in Leander, has tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the third time this trap, located at New Hope and CR 175, has had mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus this year. The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) will set up two additional trap sites near the park to expand testing in the area. The mosquito species that transmits West Nile virus is most active at dawn and dusk, residents are advised to be most cautious at those times by following the 3Ds of mosquito safety:
•    Drain standing water in flower pots, pet dishes or clogged gutters so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed and treat water that can’t be drained,
•    Defend by using an EPA-approved insect repellent, and
•    Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.

Due to current dry conditions causing the threat of severe damage as a result of possible wildfires, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell has issued a local disaster declaration and order prohibiting outdoor burning in all unincorporated areas of Williamson County. The order also prohibits smoking in and/or on Williamson County Parks, Preserves, and Trails. The order goes into effect at 5 p.m. Friday, August 21, and continues for seven days unless extended by the consent of the Williamson County Commissioners Court. For additional information, the Declaration and Order may be viewed here.

For the first time, taxpayers in Williamson County will get all the tax information that pertains to their property on one site, williamsonpropertytaxes.org. This includes their property value, proposed rates, entity contact information, notices of public meetings, and tax rate calculation worksheets. This one-stop-shop was created after the passing of Senate Bill 2, which aims to make the process more transparent and easier for taxpayers to follow. Most importantly, the site serves as a hub where property owners can provide feedback to each of their taxing entities directly. Tax Assessor/Collector Larry Gaddes explains how to navigate the information in a video that can be found on the County’s YouTube page at https://youtu.be/oyoLN0-7ugk.