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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-City SummaryCity Summary City Summary Table of Contents Georgetown Century Plan Georgetown’s Long-Term Planning Process.......................................................................1 Century Plan Policy Statements, Goals and Strategies........................................................3 Annual Operating Plan Calendar of Events........................................................................11 Organization Organizational Chart...........................................................................................................12 Community Profile Overview.............................................................................................................................13 Historic Georgetown ...........................................................................................................13 Recreation...........................................................................................................................13 Cultural Activities ................................................................................................................14 Education............................................................................................................................14 Georgetown – Then and Now..........................................................................................................15 Location Map ...................................................................................................................................16 1 Georgetown’s Long-Term Planning Process Georgetown Century Plan The City of Georgetown is guided by a comprehensive strategic plan called the Georgetown Century Plan. The Century Plan (the Plan) was created by a broad-based group of Georgetown citizens, elected and appointed officials, and staff during the late 1980's. The Plan documents and formalizes the goals and processes by which Georgetown will strive to enhance its quality of life. Its foundation is the City’s mission statement and a set of 15 policy statements. Mission Statement and Policy Statements The City’s Mission Statement serves as a broad statement of purpose. There are fifteen citizen defined policy statements intended to support the City's mission. Each describes in specific terms a desired ending state or result. The Policy Statements are the vision of Georgetown at its very best and represent the ultimate target at which all activities of the City are aimed. Policy Statements are addressed with goals and strategies and assigned to each City Division. Each goal represents a specific Council or citizen direction given toward achieving the more general Policy Statement. Policy Statements may or may not have specific goals and strategies planned for the upcoming fiscal year. More detailed planning and additional resources may be required to identify the goals and determine the necessary strategies to achieve them. Functional Plans The Century Plan is further defined through periodic updates and through the development of Functional Plan Elements that address the 15 policy statements. The Functional Plans are created by citizen work groups and provide more detailed direction for accomplishing the Policy Statements. Generally, one functional plan is prepared and adopted each year. Each Functional Plan may address one or more policy statements. The policy guidance from each new Functional Plan is incorporated into the Century Plan and determines each Policy Statement’s specific goals and strategies. The Functional Plan elements adopted to date are: Land Intensity Plan Transportation and Utilities Plan Economic Development Strategic Plan Parks & Recreation Plan Facilities and Services Plan Urban Design Plan Airport Functional Plan A planned update of the overall Century Plan Document is scheduled to begin in the upcoming fiscal year. Link to Annual Budget The City staff and elected and appointed City Officials rely on the Policy Statements to provide direction and guidance for recommending and authorizing the expenditure of public funds. The budget is the Annual Operating Plan element of the Century Plan. It is prepared around the 15 policy statements, and the Functional Plans for each area are set by the City Council at its budget workshops. Community input is also a factor in determining use of resources. Not all Policy Statements are addressed in each Annual Operating Plan element. The Annual Operating Plan specifically defines the methods or processes by which the City Manager and City staff will go about achieving the desired results for each policy statement. 2 Goals, Strategies and Objectives Goals represent specific outcomes that will promote or enhance Policy Statements. Strategies are the specific actions needed to accomplish goals. Both goals and strategies are identified through strategic planning sessions with the senior management team and key division staff guided by the Century Plan and Council priorities. The Annual Operating Plan Element is a detailed look at each operational area, or department, within the City's divisions. Each division/department within the City has developed it own unique set of Major Department Goals which enhance its purpose and connection to the Policy Statements. Annually, each department reviews and updates these goals and determines its Major Department Goals for the upcoming year. Major Department Strategies are specific plans to achieve Major Department Goals, which in turn reflect both the various Policy Statements and the specific purpose of the particular department. Five-Year Plans The City uses a five-year planning horizon to prepare the capital projects program and financial forecasts. The five-year capital projects program and the anticipated funding sources are incorporated into and adopted with the Annual Operating Plan. The capital planning process is discussed in more detail with the Capital Projects section. Five-year financial forecasts are prepared to guide policy and priority decisions of staff and Council. The financial forecasts meet fiscal and budgetary policies (see Reference Section) and are based on historical trends, programs, and projects outlined during the other planning processes, and reasonable economic and growth projections. The revenue forecasts from these models are included in the Financial Summary section. The following pages provide an overview of the Century Plan Policy Statements and the goals and strategies planned for the upcoming year. 3 City of Georgetown Century Plan Policy Statements Goals and Strategies 1.0 Policy Statement: Citizens of Georgetown experience a stable, self-sustaining economy with expanding job opportunities. Economic Development: Goal: Expand and diversify the City’s tax base. Strategy: Increase cooperation with private sector developers, regional economic development organizations, and economic development allies by providing assistance to developers with difficulties that may occur in the development process. Goal: Create new jobs thereby expanding the City’s tax base. Strategy: Establish an incentive policy that include benchmarking and return on investment criteria for prospective businesses. Strategy: Fine-tune the Overall Strategic Economic Development Plan to include benchmarking techniques for targeted industries. 2.0 Policy Statement: Georgetown’s natural and physical resources are managed so that citizens enjoy the benefits of economic and social development. Finance and Administration - Sanitation: Goal: Protect the environment and contribute to community cleanliness and appearance. Strategy: Provide targeted community education on sanitation requirements including laws and ordinances to prevent code enforcement violations. Strategy: Develop a plan for weather related community clean-up needs. Strategy: Implement plan for hazardous household waste collection. 3.0 Policy Statement: Citizens, business owners and organizations enjoy the benefits of well-planned land usage in which conflicting needs are balanced. Management Services – City Council: Goal: Ensure the long-term financial viability of Georgetown. Strategy: Adopt an annexation plan that identifies planning issues and financial impacts of future annexations. Georgetown Utility Systems - Administration: Goal: Maintain quality utilities and transportation systems that promote well-planned development. Strategy: Evaluate the cost benefit analysis of the proposed annexation plan to identify potential revenue generation and operational costs related to utilities and transportation. 4 Planning and Development - Long Range Planning: Goal: Promote growth management strategies to guide the City’s land use, transportation, infrastructure, and economic development decisions that will provide long-term quality of life. Strategy: Complete the Comprehensive Transportation Plan as an element of the Century Plan for use in determining future roadway improvements within Georgetown and the surrounding area. Strategy: Monitor and participate in regional transportation and other regional planning efforts. Goal: Provide long range planning perspective to annexation and extra-territorial jurisdiction development. Strategy: Assist in the development of an Annexation Plan that will allow continued voluntary annexations and potentially initiate the 3-year Council annexation process. 4.0 Policy Statement: City owned, sponsored or managed health and human services enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Georgetown. Management Services - Governmental Contracts: Goal: To ensure all citizens have access to services which support them in living safe, healthy, and productive lives. Strategy: Continue workshops for community and social services providers on results-oriented performance objectives and prevention issues, and form service partnerships as appropriate. 5.0 Policy Statement: Prehistoric and historic resources are preserved, protected and promoted for the benefit of the citizens of Georgetown. Economic Development – Convention & Visitor’s Bureau: Goal: Promote the area’s cultural, recreational, historical and educational attributes to a wide audience. Strategy: In cooperation with the Main Street Program, expand historical walking tours and architectural tours to include more natural attributes. Strategy: Develop a one-stop promotional publication to increase tourism. Planning and Development – Current Planning: Goal: Maintain the history and character of Georgetown. Strategy: Implement the new Unified Development Code, thus providing consistent development guidelines that preserve Georgetown’s character and quality of life. Strategy: Develop the Williams Drive Corridor Study to finalize land use and development standards for the area. Strategy: Implement the Downtown Master Plan to preserve historic Georgetown. 6.0 Policy Statement: All citizens have access to safe and adequate housing opportunities. Economic Development: Goal: Expand housing and workforce opportunities in the community. Strategy: Assist developers with difficulties in the development process that arise from the implementation of the new Unified Development Code. 5 Management Services – City Manager’s Office: Goal: Facilitate community activities to address public requests for needs and services. Strategy: Seek partnerships to assist the City in its efforts to develop affordable housing options. 7.0 Policy Statement: City owned, sponsored or managed public information and education services enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Georgetown. Finance and Administration - Utility Office: Goal: Increase public awareness of utility issues and topics through proactive communication with customers. Strategy: Improve public awareness of water conservation and conservation issues by expanding the summer water conservation advertising and education program. Strategy: Educate customers for the implementation of the City’s new Cost of Service rate structures being implemented in 2002/03. Information Resources: Goal: Provide timely and accurate public information via the City’s Internet web sites. Strategy: Oversee completion of the City’s website redesign project that provides a more user- friendly interface. Police Services – Support Services Bureau: Goal: Reduce crime through public education and collaborative community efforts. Strategy: Create a proactive Crime Prevention program that educates the public on a wide variety of crime prevention related issues. 8.0 Policy Statement: Citizens of Georgetown feel safe and are well protected from crime and disorder, natural disasters and emergencies. Fire Services - Fire Operations: Goal: Maintain an operational readiness level that will meet the emergency demands of the community. Strategy: Development and implement a biannual flow test and maintenance program for self- contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to meet Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Senate Bill 382 requirements. Strategy: Reinstate the annual firefighter physical program. Fire Services – Prevention and Community Analysis: Goal: Maintain a comprehensive public education program designed to increase awareness, provide information and change behavior in order to manage fire, injury and natural hazards in the community. Strategy: Develop and implement a permit and licensing process for Fire Protection Systems installers to protect citizens from unprofessional and deceptive business practices Management Services - Animal Services: Goal: Ensure that persons walking on public property in the City are free of reasonable concern of threats by dogs running at large. Strategy: Mark with identification microchips, pets adopted from the animal Shelter, to help in license tracking of animals. 6 Police Services - Field Operations Bureau: Goal: Continue to improve partnerships with the community through collaborative problem solving efforts to reduce crime. Strategy: Develop a Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence response team to increase public awareness of these issues. Goal: Promote a safe drug-free community through education and enforcement. Strategy: Establish a team to combat youth alcohol and tobacco use in public schools. Goal: Increase offense clearance rate for improved citizen satisfaction. Strategy: Coordinate a “case management” review team to provide assistance, guidance and resources to enhance the overall clearance rate. 9.0 Policy Statement: Parks, open space, recreation facilities and services, and social and cultural activities contribute to an enhanced quality of life for the citizens of Georgetown. Parks and Recreation - Parks Maintenance: Goal: Improve the City of Georgetown park system to provide beautiful, safe parks and a high quality of life. Strategy: Inventory park playground equipment for inclusion in the capital replacement fund, thus ensuring available funding for replacement of unsafe playground equipment. Strategy: Provide for ongoing maintenance and operations of existing parks. Goal: Explore funding opportunities such as grants and other sources for future park development. Strategy: Revise Parkland Dedication Fees to align with other cities around Georgetown and ensure funds are available for future park needs. Parks and Recreation - Recreation: Goal: Ensure access to recreation facilities and programs for all residents regardless of race, gender, age, income or physical ability. Strategy: Expand and diversify recreation program opportunities to encompass a wider range of activities for you and adults in athletic leagues, aquatic and fitness programs. 10.0 Policy Statement: Citizens and commercial goods move safely and efficiently throughout all parts of the City. Georgetown Utility Systems - Street Department: Goal: Protect the investment in the public transportation system thorough preventive maintenance and ongoing rehabilitation of streets and sidewalks. Strategy: Perform maintenance upgrades to include: • Smith Creek Road; • Airport from Lakeway to Vortac; • Old Town, focusing on road failures and utility patches; • 7th and 8th Streets between Austin Ave and Main. Police Services - Field Operations Bureau: Goal: Encourage voluntary compliance of traffic laws through enforcement and public education to reduce and prevent traffic accidents. Strategy: Expand the traffic enhancement program by adding an additional traffic unit for increased pedestrian and vehicle safety. 7 11.0 Policy Statement: Georgetown’s citizens and businesses enjoy an attractive community with a unique sense of place and a position, identifiable image, at a cost which is consistent with other city social and economic priorities. Management Services - City Council: Goal: Enhance the quality of life for the community while preserving its unique character and natural resources. Strategy: Adopt and implement the Unified Development Code to insure consistency of the City’s development ordinances and preserve the character of the community. Planning and Development - Current Planning: Goal: Support the facilitation of a quality growth strategy which seeks to strike an optimum balance between economic expansion through better development practices and the effective stewardship of natural resources, municipal infrastructure and quality of life concerns. Strategy: Implement the goals and policies of the Draft Future Land Use and Thoroughfare Plan. 12.0 Policy Statement: City owned, sponsored or managed utilities provide safe, adequate and reliable services to all customers. Finance and Administration - Utility Office: Goal: Ensure the efficient delivery of timely and accurate billing and payment information to our customers. Strategy: Work with Georgetown Utility Systems (GUS) and Inspection Services to develop a Backflow Prevention Program, to be billed through the utility bill using the new CIS. Georgetown Utility Systems - Energy Services - Electric Operations: Goal: Provide reliable, cost efficient electric service for our customers. Strategy: Automate distribution equipment to aid outage detection, service restoration and system reliability. Strategy: Expand the yearly meter testing and thermovision program for all electric facilities to increase system reliability and ensure revenue reliability. Strategy: Explore functionality of outage management software and integrated voice response software to enhance customer service. Georgetown Utility Systems - Energy Services - SCADA - AMR: Goal: Assist utility customers in conservation efforts by providing accurate, individualized water and electric consumption data. Strategy: Install SCADA controlled equipment in Georgetown, Gabriel and Rivery substations to improve identification of outage causes and locations that will aid in service restoration and troubleshooting. Georgetown Utility Systems - Transportation Services - Stormwater Drainage: Goal: Reduce the threat of property damage and personal injury, and enhance public safety through proper maintenance and operation of the City’s drainage system. Strategy: Expand the in-house maintenance program to include wet detention ponds. Strategy: Maintenance upgrades to include: • Improve drainage on Church Street; and • Correct drainage issues at Pine and 13th Street. 8 Georgetown Utility Systems - Water Services - Pump Maintenance: Goal: Provide high quality service to our customers 24 hours a day with experienced well-trained Water and Wastewater system operators. Strategy: Implement a wastewater line mapping/categorizing system and begin an inspection program of all existing wastewater lines. Georgetown Utility Systems - Water Services - Water Distribution: Goal: Maintain highest standard of water quality, meeting EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards. Strategy: Continue to reduce current water loss rate by repairing or replacing existing faulty service piping. Strategy: Develop and implement a department training program to improve personnel experience levels and obtain water licenses. Georgetown Utility Systems - Water Services – Reuse Irrigation: Goal: Reduce the demands of treatment plants for potable water. Strategy: Expand the irrigation utility to Georgetown Country Club, further reducing the demand for potable water. Georgetown Utility Systems - Water Services - Wastewater Collection: Goal: Maintain all public wastewater collection system lines in free-flowing condition to protect the public health and environment. Strategy: Reduce wastewater obstructions by 20% over the system, thus decreasing calls for service through line rehabilitation and replacement. Strategy: Implement the Edwards Aquifer Testing Program to ensure the water quality of the aquifer. 13.0 Policy Statement: The City provides for the safety of its citizens and supports the responsive delivery of coordinated services by the City and other public agencies. Finance and Administration - Facilities Maintenance: Goal: Provide quality maintenance of City of Georgetown public facilities which fosters a safe and positive atmosphere for our employees and citizens. Strategy: Provide construction coordination and oversight for the construction/renovation of the Municipal Complex and the Council Chambers/Municipal Court projects. Strategy: Coordinate the selection of an architect and complete design for the relocation of the Animal Shelter and Parks Maintenance renovations. Finance and Administration - Vehicle Service Center: Goal: Ensure a safe and efficient fleet for City operations. Strategy: Implement an accelerated replacement program for patrol vehicles to reduce the average age of the patrol cars by 1 year. Strategy: Increase professionalism of all mechanics by obtaining Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. Information Resources: Goal: Provide cost effective information technology management services. Strategy: Identify and pursue possible outsourcing partnerships for management of the City’s core systems to provide cost-effective technology. 9 Management Services - Human Resources & Safety Services: Goal: Provide services and tools to create and maintain an environment where employees are treated fairly and consistently. Strategy: Complete development and implementation of the human resource information system to increase efficiency in managing employee data and records. Strategy: Develop supervisor and administrative assistant resource manuals to provide guidance on policy administration, safety processes, staffing and payroll procedures, benefits, and compensation. Strategy: Identify City-wide training curriculum by position and provide additional supervisor and employee training to continue employee development and job satisfaction. 14.0 Policy Statement: All municipal operations are conducted in an efficient business-like manner and sufficient financial resources for both current and future needs are provided. Finance and Administration - Administration: Goal: Plan for the City’s future financial growth. Strategy: Analyze financial impacts of various development projects to ensure minimal financial risk to the City. Strategy; Develop a cost/benefit analysis tool to determine financial viability of future annexations. Strategy: Review cost of service needs for all utility services and recommend fee and rate adjustments as needed. Strategy: Coordinate the 2002/03 bond issues for both City and Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation (GTEC) projects. Goal: Evaluate and make recommendations on City operations to make the City more effective in providing services to the citizens of Georgetown and more efficient in use of City resources. Strategy: Develop a capital leasing program for City equipment that is cost efficient and easy to administer. Finance and Administration - Accounting: Goal: Provide financial reporting conformity with generally accepted accounting principles that receives the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement. Strategy: Implement Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement Number 34, as mandated for reporting purposes. Management Services - Airport: Goal: Operate the Airport as a self-supporting enterprise, whereby costs are minimized with maximum efficiency. Strategy: Conduct an Airport performance audit to identify potential cost savings and improve efficiency in operations. 10 15.0 Policy Statement: A high level of cooperation and involvement exists among Georgetown’s citizens and governmental relations. Management Services - City Manager’s Office: Goal: Ensure the delivery of quality services to citizens through effective management and efficient administration. Strategy: Review departmental efficiency and identify areas for possible outsourcing while maintaining high levels of service. Goal: Improve citizen awareness and understanding of City programs, services and issues and promote a positive public image of the organization. Strategy: Expand the Public Information Program to improve community understanding of City services. Management Services - City Council: Goal: Promote community involvement and participation in local government. Strategy: Increase the number of polling locations for local elections for convenience of voters. Fire Services – Prevention and Community Analysis: Goal: Promote a positive image to the community by bringing services to the neighborhoods and soliciting community involvement. Strategy: Expand the Risk Watch program to include the middle schools in the Georgetown Independent School District to increase awareness and provide information for our youth. Strategy: Develop and implement a residential Knox Box program in the Sun City neighborhood for quick access for emergency responses. 2002/03 Annual Operating Plan (AOP) Calendar of Events for Budget Adoption & Implementation Planning and Preparation January - February *AOP process schedule set. *Five-year Capital Projects plan updated using systems engineering models and city-wide review team. March - April *Five-year strategic planning issues and assumptions identified by senior management team. *Finance and Administration and Information Resources staff meets with divisions on Internal Service Fund (ISF) needs for 2002/03. *Five-year Capital Improvements Plan reviewed by City Manager and senior management team. *Five-year Capital Improvements Plan presented to Council and public. May *Mid-year Review of 2001/02 Annual Operating Plan presented to Council. *Preview 2002/03 budget concerns. *Base budget preparation for existing programs. *Finance finalizes 5 year utility models. June *Five-year financial forecast models updated. *Annual review and update of Fiscal and Budgetary Policy. *Departmental narrative and Program Request information provided to Divisions. *Council Budget Priorities discussed at public workshop. *Budget packages prepared in accordance with Council guidelines and Georgetown Century Plan. *Revenue and expenditure projections finalized. July *Work sessions with Divisions conducted with Finance. *AOP Workbook prepared by Finance & Administration and distributed to Council. *Tax roll finalized. *Property Tax Rate and revenue projections finalized. Adoption August *Finalize 2002/03 Programs. *Finalize 2002/03 proposed tax rate. *Certified tax roll is accepted by Council. City Manager's budget is presented to Council for review. September *Final recommendations and AOP Summary distributed to Council and public. *Public hearings on proposed budget held. *Budget and tax rate ordinances presented to and adopted by Council. October 1 *Implement 2002/03 Annual Operating Plan. Budget Amendments Budget amendments may be made during the year in accordance with state law and city charter. See detailed requirements in the Budget and Financial Policies included in the Reference Section. Typically, budget amendments are proposed to Council as part of the Mid Year AOP Review in May of each year and at fiscal year end. 11 12 A Home Rule City HUMAN RESOURCESLIBRARY CITY ATTORNEY CITY SECRETARY ENGINEERING SERVICES WATER SERVICES ENERGY SERVICES TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FOR UTILITIES ANIMAL SERVICES AIRPORT FIRE SERVICES POLICE SERVICES PARKS and RECREATION PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION RESOURCES ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FOR OPERATIONS Municipal Court Administration ACCOUNTING Vehicle Service Center Purchasing Facilities Maintenance SUPPORT SERVICES Sanitation Services UTILITY OFFICE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION CONVENTION and VISITOR'S BUREAU ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CITY MANAGER MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE APPOINTED BOARDS & COMMISSIONS CITY COUNCIL MAYOR (elected at large) SEVEN COUNCIL PERSONS (elected by district) CITIZENS OF GEORGETOWN Community Profile Overview Founded July 4, 1848, Georgetown was originally the agricultural trade center for the county and surrounding area. After the Civil War, Reconstruction brought prosperity to Georgetown through four main industries -- cattle, cotton, the university and the railroad. Georgetown has enjoyed consistent growth and development through the years. In recent years the City has become more industrialized and commercially oriented. Along with the commercial growth, Georgetown has successfully promoted tourism. Tourism has become a significant economic benefit to the community. The City of Georgetown’s estimated 2002 population was 34,273 within the city limits, with an estimated population of 55,000 including the extraterritorial jurisdiction. Georgetown is a Home Rule Charter City and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. A mayor and seven council members are elected from single-member districts. Elections are held the first Saturday in May. Historic Georgetown Since the 1980's Georgetown has been synonymous with Main Street, a downtown economic development effort administered through the Texas Historical Commission and the National Main Street Center. Over $30 million has been reinvested in our economy through the revitalization efforts of the downtown area. Private and public entities joined in partnership to restore and renovate downtown commercial structures, public buildings as well as building new structures to help anchor the commercial district. This unprecedented success has made our community the shining star of the Texas Main Street program and an example for small cities nationwide to follow. It has been the building block for Georgetown’s recent economic development gains. The Georgetown Square is considered by many to be the finest example in the state of a Victorian town square. Our historic square is certainly the magnet that draws people to Georgetown. However, once they're here, people soon realize there's much more to our community. It's a town with a strong identity and people who care about it... people that make sure we never stop trying to enhance both Georgetown's appeal and the lives of those who choose to live here. Recreation Georgetown offers a wealth of recreation. In Georgetown there are currently twenty three city parks comprising nearly 380 total acres. The parks range from a half-acre neighborhood park to the one hundred-acre city wide San Gabriel Park. The parks include a wide range of facilities including: softball and baseball fields, soccer fields, playground equipment, individual and group picnic shelters, basketball and tennis courts, disc golf, a hike and bike trail and five swimming pools. The San Gabriel Park also has a community center, sunken garden, gazebo, football stadium, rodeo area, and a Creative Playscape for children. The Georgetown Recreation Center has a full basketball and volleyball court, two racquetball courts, a game room, weight room, kitchen, 13 conference room and large and small activity rooms. The City purchased and opened the Georgetown Tennis Center in September 1999. The facility includes a full size swimming pool and baby pool, 11 tennis courts and activity center on 7 wooded acres. The City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Division was chosen as the winner of the 1999 Gold Medal Award for excellence in recreation and park management. Cultural Activities Cultural activity thrives in Georgetown. Southwestern University's contribution of quality theater, dance, fine arts and lecture events add a valuable dimension to our cultural life. The Art deco-styled Palace Theatre, located on the downtown square, was renovated and rejuvenated by townspeople. The Palace Theatre showcases events such as singing acts, plays, talent shows and every second Saturday of the month the Theatre hosts the Georgetown Opry. Georgetown always has a full calendar of local events including a fall Antique Show, a Fourth of July celebration with music, food and fireworks and ethnic celebrations. Other major annual events include the Christmas Stroll, Red Poppy Festival, and the Bluegrass Festival. Education Georgetown Independent School District (GISD) serves the City and the surrounding area, having a current enrollment of over 8,300 students. The District operates eight elementary schools, three middle schools, one ninth grade campus, one high school and one alternative educational school. There are also three private schools and two parochial schools in the area. The public school system is exceptional in the quality of teachers and programs offered. The District is fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency. During their most recent visit, members of TEA commended the District for individual teacher excellence, including good daily lesson planning, good classroom organization, and above-average student test scores, and recognized the student body as well for good behavior. Georgetown is the home of Southwestern University, a private four- year undergraduate institution, offering a traditional liberal arts and sciences curriculum. The top-ranked national liberal arts college in Texas and the southwest, Southwestern University maintains an unwavering commitment to first-rate academic programs. The University has a current enrollment of 1,320. Located 10 blocks from the City's central business district, present facilities include some 39 buildings located on approximately 500 acres. 15 Georgetown – Then and Now This is a comparison of Georgetown today and as it was a decade ago. Population has doubled Growth has been constant Tax base has quadrupled Tax rate, including debt portion, is lower 1992/93 2002/03 Population 17,181 35,300 Customer Growth 3 - 5% 4 - 6% Building Permits Issued 108 685 Unemployment Rate 4.2 5.75 Appraised Values $540,292,967 $2,191,067,416 Total Tax Rate $0.39 $0.30261 Streets Capital Costs $120,000 $450,000 Maintenance on Streets $75,000 $850,000 Debt Service Tax Rate $0.18 $0.09954 16 Location Georgetown is the northern most “gateway” to the gently rolling hills of Central Texas. While Georgetown offers the amenities and charm of a small community rooted in values of days gone by, it’s strategically and centrally located in the middle of the four major metropolitan areas of Texas. Austin is 26 miles south, Dallas is two hours north, Houston is two hours southwest and San Antonio is one-and-a- half hours south, placing Georgetown in a very advantageous position for cultural and economic development. Access to Georgetown via the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the north/south highway artery of Interstate 35 and east/west highway artery of Highway 29 make traveling to and from Georgetown easy.