Last night, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter took in 44 animals from a cruelty case – 28 chickens & roosters, 9 dogs, 6 ducks and a goose. The shelter was already at critical capacity levels, and this cruelty seizure strains their resources to the breaking point, putting capacity for care at great risk. There are currently 460 animals at the shelter. To put this in perspective, these animals could fill every seat at the Oasis on Lake Travis and still have a wait. Having this many animals in the shelter at once greatly affects the capacity for care, and the shelter is begging the community to come to its aid once again. There are many ways to help.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court today allocated $6 million in the fiscal year 2022-2023 Road and Bridge budget for widening county roads. This is the beginning of a multi-year program to address sub-standard width roadways. 

Williamson County recognized its Employees of the Year and Project Team of the Year for 2022 during the Commissioners Court meeting today. The award recipients were selected by a committee from 34 nominations in five categories. Congratulations to Johnny Grimaldo, Tanya Kunz, Kimberly Farris and Julie Kiley, as well as the Project Team of the Year including Inky Chandler-Merz, Minnie Beteille, Tammy McCulley, Benita Bonner, Robert Moss, Melany Denny, Cortney Husband, Kerstin Hancock and Johnny Grimaldo.

At their meeting on Aug. 2, the Commissioners Court accepted the recommended FY 23 budgets from the Budget Office totaling $481,973,437 for the General Fund, Road & Bridge fund and Debt Service fund. The Commissioners Court can make revisions prior to adoption on Aug. 30. View the budget presentation here. The Commissioners Court also approved a proposed total maximum tax rate for tax year 2022 at $0.375608, which is a reduction of more than 6 cents from the current tax rate. Under the proposed maximum tax rate, the average homestead would be paying approximately $100 less in county taxes than they did last year. A public hearing on the final tax rate will be held Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. To review a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the budget and tax rate, click here. For the Notice of Williamson County Tax Rates, click here. 

The Precinct Two Commissioner's Office was contacted by constituents regarding TCEQ application for a permit for a chemical manufacturing site near County Road 236 – Permit #165848. The public hearing for this application took place on June 16, 2022, which was also the date that the public comment period ended.  TCEQ permit writers and a staff attorney are currently reviewing all comments and will mail the decision document, along with a cover letter to all that submitted public comments.  The cover letter will provide information on how to request a contested case hearing if you oppose the TCEQ decision. This process takes approximately 60 days.  Click here to see the letter submitted to the TCEQ by Commissioner Long.