Williamson County, Texas

The Williamson County Commissioners Court adopted their overall budget for FY 2019-2020 of $393,843,886. The budget funds 41 new employees including 15 for public safety which includes EMS, Emergency Services, and Sheriff’s Office both Law Enforcement and Corrections. With River Ranch County Park opening in 2020, the budget also funds six new employees for the Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, there are funds for seven new employees for the Information Technology Department and three employees for Facilities. Also included in the budget is an increase to the Emergency Communications budget for compensation and training. The overall county tax rate for tax year 2019 was reduced to $0.458719 per $100 valuation.

On Tuesday, the Williamson County Commissioners Court’s approved calling an election for two propositions on the November 5, 2019, General Election ballot. The first is for voters to decide on whether or not to authorize the issuance of bonds not to exceed $412 million for roads, and the second is for issuing bonds not to exceed $35 million for parks and recreation. Williamson County estimates that passage of the two bond propositions will not result in an increase in the county’s debt service tax rate. For tax year 2019, the Commissioners Court reduced the debt service tax rate to $0.16719 per $100 of valuation. See the Notice of Bond Election, the Order Calling a Bond Election, and the Form of Ballot. Information is available on the county’s website at www.wilco.org/bondelection.

The Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector’s offices will be closed August 13 to 15, 2019 on a rotating schedule for staff training. While one office is closed, other office locations will be open regular business hours. The office closure schedule is as follows:

•    Tuesday, August 13 - Round Rock Tax Office, 1801 E. Old Settlers Boulevard
•    Wednesday, August 14 – Georgetown Tax Office, 904 S. Main Street
•    Thursday, August 15 - Cedar Park Tax Office, 350 Discovery Boulevard, and Taylor Tax Office, 412 Vance Street

When Williamson County voters head to the polls this fall, they will be using new voting equipment that provides a paper audit trail. The new system by Election Systems and Software (ES&S) is a two-step process that allows voters to make selections on an electronic marking device, then provides a printed ballot voters will scan into an electronic tabulator. To help voters become acquainted with the new system, the Elections Department is hosting open houses August 7 to 19 where voters can stop by and use the new system to cast votes for a fictional election in the Land of Oz. Voters also can stop by the Elections Department during Voter Drop-In Hours August 20 to 23 to use the equipment. For more in-depth information on the new voting equipment, visit  www.wilco.org/wilcovotes and www.wilco.org/wilcovota. 

The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a recommended allocation of $1,467,836 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in the county’s 2019 Annual Action Plan. Funds are intended to primarily benefit low- to moderate-income persons in Williamson County. The public now is invited to review and comment on the county’s 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan, the 2019 Annual Action Plan and the updated Citizen Participation Plan from July 1 to July 31, 2019.  Plans are available to review on the website at http://www.wilco.org/cdbg  and at the city halls for the cities of Cedar Park, Coupland, Georgetown, Granger, Hutto, Jarrell, Leander, Liberty Hill, Taylor and Weir. Written comments must be received by July 31, 2019. In addition, a public hearing regarding the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan will be held by the Williamson County CDBG office on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. at the Williamson County Courthouse located at 710 Main Street, Georgetown, TX 78626. Please use the 8th Street entrance.