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HomeMy WebLinkAboutreporter.sept05© City of Georgetown, 2005 Since the development of Sun City 10 years ago, annexation in Georgetown has occurred, with few exceptions, only when a developer or landowner has requested annexation in conjunction with the development of the property. As a result, the Georgetown City Limits map looks less like a single, unified area than a half-finished jigsaw puzzle. At the July 12 regular meeting, the City Council took action to bring property into the City Limits in a more orderly fashion. As a result, the area in Georgetown’s City Limits could grow by 30 percent this year and another 30 percent next year. The motion by Council Member Henry Carr, and approved by the Council, could bring 5,367 acres into the City Limits by December, and another 5,591 acres in 2006. Voluntary annexations do not count in this total and could increase the total acreage annexed in a given year. By bringing property into the City Limits, the City gains the ability to control land use through zoning. The City also can apply City build- ing and development standards to new construction and can collect tax revenue from new businesses in the City. In some areas, such as those along Williams Drive and at Lake Georgetown, the primary reason for annexation is to simplify police VOL.3 • NO.9 A Publication of the City of Georgetown September 2005 jurisdiction. Currently, dispatchers must interpret a complex and ever- changing hodge-podge of County and City response areas. City Manager Paul Brandenburg says the annexation policy will shift the City from a reactive to a proac- tive stance regarding new develop- ment. “The goal is to determine our own destiny rather than have it determined for us,” says Brandenburg. Annexation of property does not mean that the City is purchasing the land. Annexation brings the proper- ty into the City Limits of Georgetown, but does not change its ownership status. Once in the City, services such as fire and police protection and resident status for recreation and library services are provided. A timetable for connec- tions to water and wastewater serv- ice also is established. For those properties with City water, sewer, or trash service, lower in-City rates are applicable once they are annexed. In addition, City property and sales taxes are assessed for residents and businesses in annexed areas. The highest priority areas, marked in brown on the map to the right, will be annexed by December 2005. The City will begin the unilateral annex- ation process for these properties in early October. Any unilateral annex- ations that the City pursues would involve a process including two public hearings and two readings of the annexation ordinance. Areas that are marked in gray on the map will be annexed in 2006. (More detailed maps are available on the City of Georgetown web site at www.georgetown.org under City News.) All the areas identified for annexa- tion, with one exception, are cur- rently agricultural or undeveloped and contain few houses or business- es. The exception is the Crystal Knoll subdivision, marked in black on the map, where the City will ini- tiate a three-year annexation plan- ning process. Since there are more than 100 homes in the subdivision, the longer process is required by state law. More details about the annexation effort are available at www.george- town.org under City News. City Begins Annexation Effort Goal is land use control and tax revenue in key areas 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 pio@georgetowntx.org. operated until 1945, when the City began pur- chasing electricity generated by the Lower Colorado River Authority. The power plant building has since become the City police station, where residents can still see the smokestack at the rear of the building. Georgetown’s electric utility is still owned by utility customers in Georgetown. That means that rev- enues are invested back into the community. Community-owned means that decisions are made at the local level, and benefits are shared by the people here in the community. Georgetown Utility Systems joins other publicly-owned utilities in recognizing Public Power Week, Oct. 2 – 8. It’s a good time to appreciate our history and think about the benefits of our communi- ty-owned electric utility, working for you since 1911. Publicly-owned utilities have a long history in Georgetown. A private company first supplied electricity to the Courthouse for electric lights in 1895, and in 1904, the City began work on a citywide electric distribution system through another contractor. The City’s electric utility began in 1911 when the City of Georgetown purchased the electric system. The City’s power plant, which used diesel engines to generate electricity, Randy Morrow Director of Community Services (includes Parks, Recreation, Library, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Main Street program) Started with City in September 1990 Education/Background: Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University. Started my career in Baytown for nine years, Odessa for two years, then Georgetown for the last 15 years. Most memorable moments on the job? When Georgetown won the National Gold Medal for Best Managed Parks and Recreation Department in the nation. We also won the state of Texas Gold Medal twice. Also when the Recreation Center, the Creative Playscape and the trails along the north and south San Gabriel River corridors were built. The most exciting and memorable Employee Profile moment to date is the Garey Park donation to the citizens of Georgetown. What do you like best about working for the City? The support that we receive for parks and recreation from the citi- zens of Georgetown. Also, a great staff that always have a positive attitude and enjoy their jobs. Favorite things to do in your free time? I like going to the movies, hiking, biking, and looking at other municipal parks. Fiddlin’ Fest, Oct. 1-2 For some great bluegrass music and family fun, don’t miss the Fiddlin’ Fest on the weekend of October 1-2. This annual festival on Georgetown’s downtown historic Square is sponsored this year by the Downtown Georgetown Association. Pet Expo Sept. 17 Pet lovers, join your furry friends for a day of fun at Pet Expo, held on September 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Show Barn in San Gabriel Park. The expo will include agility demon- strations and presentations on grooming and search and rescue. Other popular Pet Expo events will include the blessing of the pets (pets are welcome to come, too!), a silent auction and raffle, pet contests, pet-related vendors, and, most important, animals for adoption. All funds raised support Georgetown Animal Outreach, a volunteer organization that helps homeless pets and supports the Georgetown Animal Shelter. Public Power Your community-owned utility since 1911 For details, visit www.downtowngeorgetownassociation.org. Haley Turner and Ginger took first place in the the pet/owners lookalike contest in 2004 It’s dress up d a y f o r your pets!