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City Council Notes — February 2010

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By Community Impact Newspaper Staff Friday, 12 February 2010

Williamson County

WILLIAMSON COUNTY — Freeport exemption

Williamson County commissioners voted to lift the Freeport tax at their Jan. 19 meeting in an effort to bring tax relief to companies in the county and make the area more competitive when attracting new businesses.

“There have been several companies looking to relocate, but they were waiting in the wings to see what the court did with this,” said Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long, who helped lead the effort to eliminate the tax.

Georgetown, Hutto and Taylor already have the Freeport exemption.

2010 Census

Leo Wood, chairperson of the 2010 Census Count Committee, said during the county commissioners’ Jan. 12 meeting that the committee hopes to obtain a count of approximately 400,000 people, which would in turn give the county a much-needed increase in funding. Wood said the county receives $1.2 million each year in funding now. The new count would increase funds to $1.5 million. Williamson County receives about $4 per person in funding.

Williamson County Commissioners Court
Meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Williamson County Courthouse, 710 S. Main St., Georgetown
943-1550, www.wilco.org

Georgetown

Contract modified

At Georgetown City Council’s Jan. 12 meeting, the city amended its contract with the Brazos River Authority, which manages Georgetown’s wastewater treatment plant. The revision increased the BRA’s operating budget to $1.5 million. The nearly 8 percent increase was due to the rising cost of chemicals used to treat wastewater and to accommodate higher standards of testing.

New GTEC board member, grants

At the council’s Jan. 26 meeting, Councilman Gabe Sansing, who serves as the chairman of the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation, appointed Richard Anderson to fill the position vacated by Councilman Bill Sattler. Anderson is vice president for fiscal affairs at Southwestern University. The council confirmed the appointment.

The council also voted to approve the distribution of $67,000 worth of sponsorship grants from the Georgetown Arts and Culture Board.

Georgetown City Council

Meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.
Council chambers, 101 E. Seventh St.
931-7715, www.georgetown.org
City council meetings are recorded and broadcast on Channel 10 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday following each meeting.

Hutto

Bond sale

The Hutto City Council approved the sale of $9.7 million in bonds at its Jan. 14 meeting. Because of the city’s A+ credit rating, the interest rate for the bonds was locked in at a historically low rate of 4.07 percent until 2034.

The city will use the bonds to purchase the LCRA Wastewater Treatment Plant and fund improvements to water and wastewater lines.

Annexed land

The council annexed 35.65 acres, known as Stony Brook Ranch, into the city at its Jan. 21 meeting. The land, located southwest of FM 1660 and CR 163, is being developed by Stony Brook Ranch Inc.

Hutto City Council

Meets the first and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.
Council chambers, 401 W. Front St.
759-4033, www.huttotx.gov

Taylor

Drainage utility system created

The Taylor City Council held a second public hearing at its Jan. 14 meeting to discuss a new Municipal Drainage Utility System to handle the disposal of storm water runoff. After the hearing was closed, the ordinance creating the new system was approved unanimously. City officials will hold a workshop with council members to decide on a fee schedule for the new system. Property owners will be responsible for paying the new drainage utility fee.

Sports complex funding

The council voted Jan. 26 to seek more funding for the Taylor Regional Park and Sports Complex. The city will apply for a $75,000 grant that would pay for a new paved trail, parking, gardens, a fishing platform, benches and a climbing boulder.

Taylor City Council