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HIF POLICY AREAS
The Century Plan Task Groups placed their primary emphasis on
consideration and development of Ends statements. In that sense, and
because the Policy Ends and Focus Ends statements will guide growth
and development in Georgetown throughout the planning period, this
chapter forms the heart of the Policy Plan. Taken as a whole, the Ends
establish the basic intent of the Plan and the manner in which the City
intends to approach business during the planning period. Policy Ends
are defined as expressions of community values and so were written to
be broad enough to have the consensus of the general public and to be
relatively permanent. If the Century Plan is to have meaning as a long
range planning document, the Policy Ends should not become outdated
or unacceptable during the short term, or when one or more of the
related Focus Ends cannot be met. The City Council action to adopt
the Policy Plan establishes the Policy Ends statements as legally
binding elements of the Plan. These statements are shown in bold in
Chapter Three.
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Georgetown
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In order to define how the Century Plan Task Groups and Steering
Committee intended for the Policy Ends to be fulfilled, Focus Ends were
written. Focus Ends are more specific than Policy Ends and provide
clarification and further definition of the Policy End, Focus Ends originate
with Century Plan Task Groups during the creation of a Functional Plan
Element, or with the City Council during the creation of an Annual
Operating Plan Element and are subject to an annual process of reevaluation
and redefinition, as described in the ADMINISTRATION chapter. This
annual amendment process will ensure that the Focus Ends are responsive to
changing priorities, revenues, conditions, and dependencies. The ends will
be used by future City Councils to measure the City's success at fulfilling
individual policies. Through the process of amendments, revisions and
Annual Operating Plan elements, future City Councils will be able to modify
specific actions and determine expenditures as new programs are identified
and funding levels are determined.
Means statements describe the specific activities that can be taken to
achieve Ends. They are specific and measurable actions that will yield a
clearly identifiable result. Means statements are developed by City staff
during the budget process and appear only in the Annual Operating Plan
Element. Means have their origin in the specific recommendations of a
Functional Plan Element, or from the knowledge and expertise of City staff.
When adopted as a part of the Annual Operating Plan Element, they become
legally binding.
The Ends in this chapter are organized by fourteen major categories.
These categories were developed to be inclusive of one or more of the
elements which the City Charter mandates must be included in the
comprehensive plan. Although some of the Policy Plan categories are the
same as the Charter mandated elements, others are different. All of the
categories, however, can he directly related to one or more Charter elements.
The organization of the Policy Plan in this manner serves to illuminate
interdependencies among the Charter elements when determining Ends. The
more specific manner in which each individual category corresponds to the
Charter elements is described in an introduction to each category. All of the
Charter elements have been included at least once within the categories so
that there are Ends written for all the elements. The relationships among
Charter - mandated elements, Policy Plan categories, and Functional Plans are
shown on Exhibit 3.
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POLICY PLAN
Georgetown
W ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
POLICY PLAN
The City Charter specifically mandates that the Century Plan should include "an
economic element for commercial and industrial development . and redevelopment. " The
Economic Development category includes this element, and is also related to "a future
land -use element" and "a citizen participation element." In addition to these specifically
mandated elements, Economic Development Ends are related to such topics as
employment, interaction with other public and private agencies, annexation, finance,
governmental affairs, and environmental concerns.
1.0 Georgetown's economy is self - sustaining through diversified growth, a broad
tax base with minimal impact from economic fluctuation, enhanced business
opportunity and job creation.
1.1 Existing undeveloped sites in Georgetown are put to beneficial use.
1.2 Georgetown recruits small to mid -sized commercial /industrial firms from all areas
of the production process (i.e., research and development, assembly, production,
distribution, warehousing, and retailing).
1.3 The City, the Georgetown Industrial Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and
local business and industry work together to promote an aggressive
commercial /industrial retention and expansion program.
1.4 Georgetown attracts spinoff companies from major employers in the region.
1.5 Georgetown minimizes the number of employees it exports to surrounding labor
markets.
1.6 The City seeks funding resources to assist in training or retraining of the lacal
labor pool.
1.7 The City provides financial and nonfinancial incentives to promote economic
development.
1.8 The downtown is an economically viable component of the retail and business
community.
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1.9 All citizens actively participate in local tray
1.10 The City actively cooperates with merchan
trade and commerce within the local cornn
1.11 The tourism industry in Georgetown is det
the community's small -town charm.
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CENTORYPLAN
Georgetown
EDUCATION
POLICY
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The category of Education is not specifically addressed by the City Charter; however,
it is derived from the "public buildings and related facilities element ", and the "public
services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital
improvement program." Education Ends should define desirable relationships between
the City government and Georgetown Independent School District, Southwestern
University, and child/day care entities.
2.0 Diverse and comprehensive educational opportunities are available through
public and private cooperative efforts.
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Georgetown
POL/CYP[AN
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The Environmental and Resource Conservation category is specifically required by the
following Charter element: "a conservation and environmental resources element." It is
also related to the following Charter elements: "a future land -use element," "an urban
design element," "historic preservation elements," and "a wastewater, electric, solid
waste, drainage and potable water element." These Ends also deal with open space,
physical development, and urban form.
3.0 The physical qualities that make Georgetown attractive are protected.
3.1 Georgetown's water resources system provides a sufficient water supply of high
quality to meet future City needs, to meet economic development and recreational
requirements, and to conserve wildlife.
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ENVIRONMENTAL & RESOURCE
CONSERVATION
The Environmental and Resource Conservation category is specifically required by the
following Charter element: "a conservation and environmental resources element." It is
also related to the following Charter elements: "a future land -use element," "an urban
design element," "historic preservation elements," and "a wastewater, electric, solid
waste, drainage and potable water element." These Ends also deal with open space,
physical development, and urban form.
3.0 The physical qualities that make Georgetown attractive are protected.
3.1 Georgetown's water resources system provides a sufficient water supply of high
quality to meet future City needs, to meet economic development and recreational
requirements, and to conserve wildlife.
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CENTURYPLAN
Georgetown
rgill =T
SERVICES
1
The City Charter includes two required elements which are directly related to the
Facilities and Services category; these are "a public buildings and related facilities
element: and a public services and facilities element, which shall include but not be
limited to a capital improvement program." Facilities and Services also relates to the
"recreation and open space element" and the "health and human service element," as
well as the related topics of education, parks, City -owned property, Southwestern
University, and the Georgetown Independent School District.
4.0 The City provides for the safety of its citizens and supports the responsive
delivery of coordinated services by the City and other public agencies.
4.1 The City centralizes and co- locates services on existing City -owned property
whenever possible.
4.2 The City has a high level of employee satisfaction and retention.
4.3 Georgetown public Library's information and collections are accessible to all
citizens.
4.4 The Georgetown Public Library has a collection development budget which equals
the national per capita for library expenditures in a comparable population
category.
4.5 The Georgetown Public Library's resources are expanded through partnerships
with a variety of organizations, including non - profit, corporations, governments,
schools and community groups.
4.6 The City provides appropriate, well managed information technology products and
services that support City operations and citizen access to information.
4.7 There is trust and harmony between the City's public safety providers and all
segments of the community.
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4.8 Georgetown is effective at resolving issues related to crime, disorder and fear of
crime.
4.9 Georgetown's fire protection is adequate and equitable throughout the City.
4.10 Georgetown is prepared to respond to large scale natural and technological
emergencies.
4.11 Public safety services are provided to adjacent areas outside of the City limits
through contractual agreements with other government organizations, ensuring
equitable and efficient coordination of services.
4.12 Public safety services have a high level of citizen and volunteer involvement.
4.13 The City is safe from animal threat, provides attractive and humane animal
accommodations, and encourages the adoption of animals.
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CENTURYPLAN
Georgetown
a� FINANCE
POLICY PLAN
While it can be said that all of the City Charter elements and all of the other
categories are dependent to some degree on the Finance category, some have a more
direct and obvious relation than others. The Charter element which is most directly
related to Finance is "a public services and facilities element, which shall include but not
be limited to a capital improvement program." This category is also related to "a
wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage, and potable water element," and "an
economic element for commercial and industrial development and redevelopment." In
addition, the related topics of taxes, interaction with other taxing entities, funding
options, city administration, and annexation are included within these policies.
50 All municipal operations are conducted in an efficient business -like manner
and sufficient financial resources for both short-term and long -term needs are
provided.
5.1 Each utility system is a self - supported operation that provides a desirable and
affordable level of service.
5.2 The City investigates the privatization of each City operation, as appropriate.
5.3 The City's utility rates are competitive with surrounding communities and with the
statewide and national averages for comparable utility systems.
5.4 The tax rate is reasonable and fair and does not hinder economic development.
5.5 The City has a method for funding street and streetscape improvements.
5.6 The City pursues all federal and state grant programs which would benefit the
City.
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Georgetown
CENTURY PLAN POLICY"
K
M
The Governmental Affairs category is directly related to at least two of the City
Charter elements, including "a citizen participation element" and "a public buildings and
related facilities element." In addition, this category is related to the topics of
intergovernmental coordination, city administration, finance, and annexation.
6.0 A high level of cooperation and involvement exists among Georgetown's
citizens and governmental organizations.
6.1 All citizens actively participate in governmental functions.
6.2 The City develops and coordinates service delivery policies with Williamson
County, the Georgetown Independent School District and other organizations that
provide services to Georgetown.
6.3 The City is a strong and visible participant in developing comprehensive solutions
to issues of concern on a regional level.
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Georgetown POLICYPLAN
GROWTH & PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Growth and Physical Development category is related to nearly all of the City
Charter mandated categories, the most direct tie being to "a future land -use element."
However, it is also related to "a traffic circulation and public transit element," "an
economic element for commercial and industrial development and redevelopment," "a
wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage and potable water element," "a public
services and facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital
improvement program," "a housing element," and "a conservation and environmental
resources element." Clearly the Growth and Physical Development category is
dependent on many of the other Policy Plan categories and Charter elements.
7.0 Georgetown's land uses support economic, cultural and social activities for all
residents, businesses and organizations; and the City's development process
encourages new and infill development.
7.1 The City's regulations implement the Policy Ends and provide the opportunity to
seek change with reasonable effort and expense.
7.2 Annexation procedures and standards benefit the community.
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CENTURY PLAN
Georgetown
POLICY Ptah
IL
�I HEALTH & HUMAN
The City Charter specifically requires "a health and human service element," which is
addressed by the Health and Human Services category. Also addressed by this category
are the related topics of public and quasi - public facilities, interaction with public and
private agencies, and demographics.
8.6 Comprehensive, affordable health and human services are available through
public and private organizations.
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C iTYOF
CENTURYPLAN eIorr etown
owl HISTORIC PRESERVATION
PoLICYPLAN
The Historic Preservation category is specifically required by the City Charter
through mention of a "historic preservation element'. It is related to the "urban design
element," the "conservation and environmental resources element," and the "recreation
and open space element." The Ends under this category also address physical
development, economic development, and tourism.
9.0 Prehistoric, historic, and cultural resources are preserved, protected and
promoted.
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Georgetown POLICYPLAN
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The City Charter requires "a housing element" to be included in the Century Plan. In
addition to directly addressing this mandate, the Housing category is also related to "a
future land -use element," as well as the transportation system, public and quasi - public
facilities, and urban form.
10.0 The City cooperates with builders, developers and property owners to provide
safe and adequate housing opportunities for all citizens.
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CENTORYPLAN
Georrgetown
RECREATION & CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Ends order the Recreation and Cultural Affairs category specifically address the
City Charter - mandated "recreation and open space element." This category is also
related to "a public buildings and related facilities element," "a conservation and
environmental resources element," "a public services and facilities element, which shall
include but not be limited to a capital improvement program ", and "a citizen
participation element." This category may also refer to historic preservation,
Southwestern University, and the Georgetown Independent School District.
PLAN
11.0 All citizens actively participate in community -wide social, cultural, and
recreational activities.
11.1 The City maintains and upgrades existing parks and constructs new parks through
a diversified funding and acquisition program.
11.2 The City's park facilities and recreational programs meet the leisure needs of
citizens.
11.3 Georgetown has an attractive and coordinated system of hike and bike trails.
11.4 The City has recreational programs targeting those who are physically or otherwise
challenged.
11.5 The City has an ongoing process for recreational needs assessment and program
evaluation.
11.6 The City has in -house capability in horticulture.
11.7 The City encourages the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue to make Lake
Georgetown water and land resources available to the community and to be
responsive to the community's expanding and changing needs.
11.8 The City has greenbelts along the tributaries (e.g. Smith Branch, Pecan Branch,
and Berry Creek) that feed into the San Gabriel River.
11.9 The City has joint venture development and use agreements with other recreational
providers for existing facilities and /or for future development.
Georgetown
POLICY"
IL
PATTON
The Transportation category is most directly related to "a traffic circulation and public
transit element." It is also related to "a future land -use element," "a wastewater,
electric, solid waste, drainage and potable water element," and "a public services and
facilities element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement
program. Transportation Ends will also affect urban form and development.
12.0 Georgetown's transportation system provides for the safe and efficient
movement of traffic, promotes the economic interests of the community, and
adequately serves the needs of individuals.
12.1 The City maintains a Transportation Functional Plan that includes all modes of
transportation.
12.2 The City supports an area -wide transportation effort through coordination with
other public and private organizations.
12.3 The City has sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the City, especially around and
between schools and parks.
12.4 The City supports private transportation services in the community.
12.5 The City has continuous frontage roads along Interstate. Highway 35 through
Georgetown.
12.6 The Georgetown Municipal Airport is an integral part of the transportation system
and business activity of the community.
12.7 There is direct public access to the area east and west of the Georgetown
Municipal Airport runways.
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POLICY PLAN
The Urban Design category is required by the inclusion of an "urban design element"
in the City Charter. It is directly related to the Historic Preservation element, as well as
the "future land -use element" and the "economic element for commercial and industrial
development and redevelopment."
13.0 Georgetown has a positive, identifiable image and an attractive appearance.
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Georgetown
POLICY PLAN
:tli�ti I 1
The Utilities and Energy category is directly required by the City Charter by the
inclusion of "a wastewater, electric, solid waste, drainage and potable water element."
It is also related to the "future land -use element," and the "public services and facilities
element, which shall include but not be limited to a capital improvement program." For
the purposes of these policies, utilities have been defined to include water, wastewater,
electric, stormwater drainage, gas distribution, solid waste management, and
telecommunications systems.
14.0 Georgetown's utility systems provide safe and reliable service which meets the
needs of all citizens and promotes the economic health of the community.
14.1 Customers of the City's electric utility have a range of choices with respect to
rates, service levels and power supply options.
14.2 Water and wastewater services exceed state and federal standards and are provided
to a all certified areas.
14.3 The stormwater drainage system efficiently and effectively protects the health and
safety of Georgetown's residents and minimizes the negative effects of standing
water and urban runoff.
14.4 The City uses available and emerging alternative energy sources when beneficial.
14.5 The City's utility policies and practices promote and encourage the protection and
conservation of Georgetown's environment and natural resources.
14.6 Franchised utilities provide adequate services for all citizens.
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CITY ( ?
eorgetown
POLICY PLAN
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