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HomeMy WebLinkAboutreporter.june05© City of Georgetown, 2005 The latest annual survey of city property tax rates in Texas con- firms a fact that may be news to some Georgetown residents. Their property tax rate is one of the very lowest in the state for cities that pro- vide comparable services. The 2005 Tax and Debt survey of 585 Texas cities by the Texas Municipal League revealed these figures about Georgetown’s property tax rate: Georgetown’s tax rate is lower than 98 percent of the other 85 Texas cities in the sur- vey with populations greater than 20,000. Only Amarillo and Tyler were lower. Georgetown’s tax rate is lower than 95 percent of the other 145 Texas cities in the survey with pop- ulations greater than 10,000. Only Amarillo, Tyler, Stafford, Humble, Dumas, Rio Grande City, and Santa Fe were lower. The TML survey results are posted at www.tml.org on the web site for the Texas Municipal League, an organization that represents municipal government organiza- tions in Texas. Not all cities respond to the annual voluntary survey, which was based on financial reporting for the 2004 fiscal year. Georgetown’s 2004 fis- cal year ended Sept. 30, 2004. Georgetown’s population in the survey was listed as 34,000 and is currently estimated at 38,734. While the TML survey for the cur- rent fiscal year has not yet been conducted, other available information shows that for cities of larger or comparable size in Central Texas, Georgetown’s tax rate in 2005, which was set last fall, is still the lowest. Keeping city taxes low is an economic develop- ment tool as well as a benefit to residents, says City Manager Paul Brandenburg. “Lean and efficient city government that delivers serv- ices at the lowest possible cost helps every city taxpayer. It’s also a key advantage when we are trying to attract employers who are com- paring their tax bill in Georgetown to that in other cities.” For additional information about taxes in the City of Georgetown, go to the City web site at www.georgetown.org and look under “Business Resources > Tax information.” VOL.3 • NO.6 A Publication of the City of Georgetown June 2005 Georgetown Country Club was founded in 1927 when Georgetown was a small county seat surrounded by farms and ranches. Georgetown has since become a fast-growing city, and recently the golf course made some changes in its utility profile to take advantage of new services offered by Georgetown Utility Systems. Last year, the Country Club began using recycled water from the City’s wastewater treatment plants in order to irrigate its fairways and greens. The new irrigation line was extended to the Country Club last summer. By using wastewater plant outflows for irrigation, the City reduces the demand on drinking water treat- ment plants and provides irrigation water at a reduced cost to major commercial users. The use of non- potable water for commercial irriga- tion is part of the City’s long-term water conservation strategy. The City’s irrigation utility, which started in 2001, also supplies water Georgetown Country Club Using Irrigation, Electric Services to San Gabriel Park, Southwestern University, Sun City, Berry Creek, Cimarron Hills, and Georgetown High School for use on golf courses and athletic fields. The recycled water is not treated to drinking water standards. However, it does meet standards for irrigation, and incidental public contact at a park or golf course would not be harmful. In addition to using City irrigation water, the Country Club made another change in its utility profile in April. The City’s competitive electric rates and reliability record led the Country Club to switch from another provider to the City for energy services. In the coming months, City electric crews plan to bury overhead electric lines at the Country Club, improv- ing the scenic views of the 18-hole course that lies along the San Gabriel River. For information about the City’s energy or irrigation services, contact Georgetown Utility Systems at (512) 930-3555. Animal Shelter Garage Sale June 25 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Community Center, San Gabriel Park All proceeds benefit the Georgetown Animal Shelter. Georgetown’s Property Tax Rate Among Lowest in Texas Non-potable irrigation water is used on golf courses in Georgetown, including the Georgetown County Club course, which reduces the demand on City water treatment plants. Be l t o n 0 . 7 0 5 Ki l l e e n 0 . 6 9 5 Pf l u g e r v i l l e 0 . 6 4 0 Te m p l e 0 . 6 0 2 Le a n d e r 0 . 5 5 7 Au s t i n 0 . 5 0 1 Ce d a r P a r k 0. 4 9 8 Sa n M a r c o s 0. 4 7 1 Ro u n d R o ck 0 . 3 8 7 Ge o r g e to w n 0 . 3 4 6 FY 2005 Property Tax Rates (per $100 assessed valuation) Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown Public Information Office located in City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, Georgetown, Texas, 78626. For questions or comments, contact Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer for the City of Georgetown at (512) 930-3690, or by email at khutchinson@georgetowntx.org. Camp Goodwater Ages 5 -12 (child must have completed Kindergarten) Camp Goodwater daycamp is housed at the Community Center in San Gabriel Park. Activities include games, arts and crafts, swimming, Challenge Course elements, archery, caving, canoe- ing, hiking, rock climbing, sports, nature activities, skits, and a field trip each week. Camp time is 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Early drop-off and late pick-up available for additional fees. Offered in weekly sessions May 31 – Aug. 12. Weekly fee is $120 for residents, $130 for non- residents. Tennis Camp Ages 8 - 16 The Georgetown Tennis Center offers a summer tennis camp for youth players of all levels. Camp activities include basic stroke instruction, innovative drills, strategy sessions, motivational talks, analyzed match play, physi- cal/tactical/technical skill training, camp tournament, team competi- tions, games, snacks, and swim- ming. Camp is Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Offered in weekly sessions June 6 – Aug. 12. Weekly fee is $120 for residents, $130 for nonresidents. Munchkins Tennis Camp Ages 5 - 7 The Munchkin Camp is designed to teach children ages 5 - 7 the game of tennis in a friendly atmos- phere. If needed, we will provide your child with a tennis racket to use during the week of camp free of charge! Camp activities include enjoyable tennis drills, a mid- morning snack, and lots of fun. Swimming will not be a part of camp due to swimming lessons that will be taking place during the same time. Camp is Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Offered in weekly sessions June 6 – Aug. 12. Weekly fee is $60 for resi- dents, $70 for nonresidents. To register for camps or for more information, call (512) 930-3595 or visit www.georgetownparks.org. summer drawings for the grand prizes, which are three $100 sav- ings bonds from First Texas Bank. Special performances and events, craft times, and story-telling ses- sions are planned throughout the summer. All events are free. The full schedule of summer events is available on the library’s web site at www.georgetowntex.org. Printed calendars will be available at the library at the time of registration. Summer reading log registration begins May 23 and continues throughout June and July. The program ends on July 22 with a big, wild, surprise, which will be a secret until July 1. Watch for the news! GO WILD...READ!! is the theme of the Georgetown Public Library’s summer reading program, which kicks off on June 1 at 10 a.m. with a party in Chatauqua Park. The Telephone Company will provide silly music, Chicken Dog Productions adds more fun with juggling and dog tricks, and the Kids’ Railroad and Takota’s Ponies will provide rides. Be there for lots of fun and refreshments, too! The summer program encourages children to keep reading over the summer and to become lifelong readers and library users. By completing a summer reading log, children will receive certificates for their accomplishments and will become eligible for the end-of-the Parks and Recreation Summer Camps Tom Yantis Assistant City Manager Started with the City in 1999 Education/ Background: Bachelor of Arts in Government and Master of Science in Community & Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin. “I began my career with the City of Georgetown in March 1999 as the City’s Information Technology Director. In October 2000, I was promoted to Assistant City Manager responsi- ble for the oversight of most of the general government opera- tions of the city, which now include Community Services, Community Development, Information Technology, and the Airport. I served as Interim City Manager from January to September 2002. Prior to coming to the City of Georgetown, I was a consultant with KPMG and prior to that with Andersen Consulting. Most memorable moment on the job? Spending the night at the Emergency Operations Center on December 31, 1999 preparing for what might happen when the clocks turned over to the year 2000. Fortunately we were all able to celebrate the new year with no major issues. Library Summer Reading Program Employee Profile What do you like best about working for the City? The ability to make positive impacts in the community that affect the daily lives of the citizens of Georgetown. It’s also very rewarding to see a project come to fruition after spending many months or even years working on it (i.e. the Rivery, new Animal Shelter, downtown redevelop- ment, etc.). Favorite things to do in your free time? Spending time with my family and enjoying the many wonderful things that Georgetown has to offer like the parks, trails, and tranquil quality of life.