Contrary to common belief, our county tax assessor-collector doesn’t determine the value of our homes or the tax rates applied to those values.

The county tax office is responsible for accurately calculating bills for our properties and mailing them. They also collect tax payments.

In addition, this office handles registration, renewals and title transfers of vehicles, and issues handicap placards and new or personalized plates.

In the past, tax assessors performed property appraisals. However, since 1982, state law requires that counties create single appraisal districts.

The Williamson Central Appraisal District is one of 254 appraisal districts responsible for valuing every parcel in our county.

Our tax assessor-collector, Larry Gaddes, first elected in 2016, was chief deputy for seven years leading to his election. He oversees a staff of 65. The main office is located just south of the Square in Georgetown, and the other three offices are in Round Rock, Cedar Park and Taylor.

Although most of us complain about property taxes, they are the primary source of revenue for our school districts, the county, city and other special districts. We use these funds to pay for services, such as new roads and road maintenance, emergency services, parks and flood control.

Gaddes said while property taxes account for the largest portion of funds the county collects, his offices conduct far more motor vehicle-related transactions throughout the year. Most people visiting their lobbies are there to handle transactions relating to the 450,000 registered vehicles in Texas.

 

February may be a short month, but there is still so much to do in Williamson County! In this edition of the WILCOunty Line, learn about upcoming interesting events with the Williamson Museum, important and potentially lifesaving classes from Williamson County EMS, and the Presidents’ Day promotion from the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter!

On Monday, Williamson County Commissioner Cynthia Long was unanimously elected by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) policy board to serve as the organization’s Vice-Chair. Commissioner Long brings years of experience in transportation to the position. She has a passion for common sense transportation solutions and has championed them in Williamson County and the region. Commissioner Long has represented Williamson County on CAMPO since 2007.

CAMPO is made up of elected and citizen representatives from Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. The organization is responsible for long range transportation planning and allocating state and federal funds to regional transportation projects.

Williamson County officials and representatives from Santa Rita Ranch held a ceremonial ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of turn lanes on Ronald Reagan Boulevard to Santa Rita Boulevard on February 7. The project consisted of widening the pavement on Ronald Reagan Boulevard from approximately 1,000 feet south of Santa Rita Boulevard to 700 feet north of the intersection. Both left turn and right turn lanes were striped on Ronald Reagan Boulevard into Santa Rita Boulevard. 

The two road improvement projects were critical to increasing safety near Elsa England Elementary School and Pearson Ranch Middle School.

Neenah Ave. was widened from the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway from Olive Hill Drive to the end of Neenah Ave. The project was less than one mile in length.

A traffic signal was installed at Neenah Ave. and Pearson Ranch Road.

Construction was completed in 10 months for a cost of $2.5 million.