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HomeMy WebLinkAboutreporter.nov06© City of Georgetown, 2006 VOL.4 • NO.11 A Publication of the City of Georgetown November 2006 Providing services to a rapidly growing population was the major theme in the 2007 city budget, which was approved by the city council at the September 26 meeting. The new fiscal year started October 1. The planning department estimates that Georgetown’s population is approxi- mately 43,000–an increase of more than 50 percent in six years. Since traffic and mobility continue to be a top concern for Georgetown resi- dents, the budget includes several transportation items. Funding for a transit system master plan will create a blueprint for the integration of a future commuter rail station on Inner Loop with a bus transit system in Georgetown. Funding for wayfinding signs along roadways to assist visitors, as well as gateway signs to be placed at major entrances to the City, is also included. Major projects in design or construction phases that will receive Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation funding in 2007 include NE Inner Loop/Lakeway overpass, SE Inner Loop widening, Southeast Arterial 1, Southwest Bypass (SH 29 to FM 2243), and Wolf Ranch Parkway. These projects receive funding through the City’s 4B economic development corporation that collects a 1/2-cent sales tax for new roads. As part of a three-year plan to address increased demands on the police and fire departments, the budget includes four new firefighters, two new police officers, and two police dispatchers. One additional firefighter and four additional police officers are funded to start Oct. 1, 2007. The budget includes 18 new positions that provide services to the City’s utility systems, as well as an affordable hous- ing coordinator, a recreation center spe- cialist, an assistant city secretary, a street maintenance worker, four positions to staff the new library, and a new position in the planning department to assist with the high volume of development projects and applications. A general cap- ital projects manager will coordinate construction and capital projects such as the Downtown Master Plan and the Budget Highlights: Services for a Growing City More information about the budget can be found on the City website at www.georgetown.org > Departments > Finance & Administration. A new north-south connector road on the west side of Interstate 35 is scheduled to open in December. Wolf Ranch Parkway will improve mobility between shopping areas at the Rivery and Wolf Ranch Town Center. At its north end, the road connects with Rivery Boulevard behind the Home Depot. It parallels I-35 and intersects at its southern end with University Avenue/SH 29 at Wolf Ranch shopping center. Formerly called Hacia Los Lobos, Wolf Ranch Parkway will provide access from SH 29 to the new City Lights 12-screen movie theater at the Rivery, which is scheduled to open by Thanksgiving. Funding for the Wolf Ranch Parkway project was provided by the City’s 1/2-cent The City Lights Theatre will gain access from Rivery Blvd and Hwy29 (0.50 percent) sales tax for new roads and approved by the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation and the city council. The new portion of the three-lane roadway with bike lanes is three-quarters of a mile in length and cost approximately $2.5 million. Williams Drive Gateway implementa- tion, as well as park improvements. New parks programs include funds for the purchase of land to create a new park west of I-35, a pavilion at the park in Katy Crossing, playground improve- ments at River Ridge, the purchase of land to preserve natural springs along the San Gabriel River, and the develop- ment of a dog park. Non-public safety City staff will receive a four percent cost-of-living adjustment, which is based on an average regional consumer price index. Funding for public safety compensation will move average pay for police and firefighters to 95 percent of average public safety pay for the City of Round Rock, which the council has identified as a benchmark. The council approved a property tax rate of 0.36728 per $100 valuation for the 2007 budget. This is an increase of about 2 cents over the 2006 tax rate. Most of the increase is for revenue needed to pay bonds that voters approved in 2004 to fund the new library, which is scheduled to open in January. Georgetown still has the lowest property tax rate in Central Texas among cities with comparable services, including Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock and San Marcos. Water rates are not expected to increase at this time. Sewer rates will be reviewed in November to address winter averag- ing concerns. Electric rates will be revised in January to roll the PCA (power cost adjustment) into the base rate, which should have minimal if any impact for customers. Trash collection rates will be examined in March to account for the increased cost of service. New Road Connects Rivery to Wolf Ranch Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org Thanksgiving Holiday City offices closed Nov. 23-24 No trash pickup Nov. 23 Thursday trash collection slides to Friday Friday trash collection slides to Saturday Georgetown voters will decide in November if a 1/4-cent (0.25 per- cent) sales tax for street maintenance will be reauthorized. Residents can vote early from October 23 through November 3. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. The sales tax was approved by vot- ers in 2002 and has a four year sun- set provision. The sales tax is used for street resurfacing, rehabilitation, repair, and curbing projects on existing streets. Since the street maintenance sales tax went into effect in 2003, more than $3.4 million has been collected. Nov. 7 Election 1/4-cent sales tax for street maintenance Volunteers in Police Services Have you ever wondered how a police department works? It is not always like COPS, 48 Hours, or CSI, but you can get an inside look and help your community by volunteering. The Georgetown Police Department is seeking people who want to serve in a program called Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS). “Currently there are dozens of volunteers that help the police department every week,” says Police Chief David Morgan. “They include volunteer park rangers, chap- lains, citizens on patrol, Citizens Police Academy alumni, youth in the Explorer post, and those who assist victim services, animal services, and records. The VIPS program extends these volunteering opportunities to many new areas of the police depart- ment.” Volunteer job lists and applications are posted on the police department web- site at www.georgetown.org/depart- ments/pd. A background check and board interview will be conducted on each volunteer who joins the program. For details, call Lt. Evelyn McLean with the Georgetown Police Department at (512) 930-8408, or email Linda Lipscomb, who is the coordinator for the VIPS program, at linlip@cox.net. For details on street maintenance projects, see the Active City Projects links at www.georgetown.org. Information on voting times and locations also can be found there under News, Events, & Elections. Georgetown Citizen Academy Graduates of the first Georgetown Citizen Academy were recognized by Mayor Gary Nelon at the September 12 city council meeting. Twenty two cit- izens graduated from the program this summer, which involved information- al sessions and demonstrations with more than 20 City departments. Participants of the academy commented that they “learned a lot” and noted the enthusiasm of the presenters. Local artists donated their time and talent to create a new mural on the east side of the Visitor Information Center at 101 W. Seventh Street. Mayor Gary Nelon thanked the artists that were involved at the September 26 city council meeting. The mural depicting historic scenes was designed by Sarah Jane Blankenship and was a project of the Main Street Board. News Bits A special City collection day for hazardous household items will be held on Saturday, November 18. The collection will be held at the City Collection Station located at 250 WL Walden Drive, which is next to the McMaster Athletic Complex on N. College Street. Staff from Texas Disposal Systems and the City will collect household hazardous materials from 8 a.m. until noon. City residents should bring a current City utility bill and a photo ID. Items that will be accepted at the Collection Day include paint, paint thinner, drain cleaner, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemi- cals, appliances, and up to three small tires. For details, see the notice at www.georgetown.org or call TDS at (512) 930-1715. Williamson County will be sponsor- ing a household hazardous waste collection on the same day at the County Central Maintenance Facility on 3151 SE Inner Loop Road in Georgetown. The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown Public Information Office located in City Hall, 113 E. Eighth 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@george- towntx.org. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day November 18 Downto w n Happen i n g s The Palace Theater Meet Me in St. Louis, weekends Nov. 17 to Dec. 23 Details at www.thegeorgetown- palace.org, or call (512) 869-7469. Lighting of the Square Nov. 24 Starting at dusk, come experience the magical start of the holiday sea- son. Enjoy holiday carols, cookies, and hot chocolate! Christmas Stroll Dec. 2 Pictures with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, entertainment, vendor booths, and evening parade. Details at www.downtowngeorgetownasso- ciation.org.