Georgetown's $130 million proposed bond package includes new customer service center

Austin American-Statesman
Claire Osborn, Austin American-Statesman
August 31, 2023
Georgetown is putting a $130 million proposed bond package, the largest in the city's history, on the Nov. 7 ballot for voters to consider.

The package has four propositions that, if approved, would not raise the tax rate, officials said.

The propositions include money being requested for a new city customer service center and an expansion of the Georgetown Recreation Center. They also include money to help pay for the construction of a new YMCA and funds to expand either the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter or the Georgetown Animal Shelter.

“The city of Georgetown’s population has more than doubled in the last 15 years, and many of our most visited facilities are undersized in relation to the number of residents we serve today,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said. “These projects would serve people of all ages in all parts of the community while also reducing operating costs and saving taxpayers money long-term.”

Georgetown is the fastest-growing city in the United States among cities with populations of 50,000 or more, according to information released by the U.S. Census Bureau in March.

The 2023 bond propositions are:

• Proposition A - Customer service center ($56 million): The new 80,000-square-foot customer service center would consolidate city services — including utility billing, fire inspection, customer care, planning, engineering and the city's new 311 service — in one central location. The likely site for the proposed customer service center would be city-owned property on FM 1460 across from the Georgetown Municipal Complex, said Keith Hutchinson, a city spokesman.
• Proposition B - Parks and Recreation ($49 million): Funding for a 30,000-square-foot expansion of the Georgetown Recreation Center to include a third gym, more space for programs and increased parking. It also would include improvements to the indoor pool to accommodate more recreational uses.
• Proposition C - Animal shelter ($15 million): The money would be used to pay for an expansion of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter if the city of Georgetown is able to finalize an agreement to join that shelter, or it could be used for a new city-owned animal shelter.
• Proposition D - YMCA partnership ($10 million): A new facility, owned jointly by the city and the YMCA, would be built to accommodate more youth sports and child care options. The YMCA would cover all operating costs and offer Georgetown residents discounted memberships. The facility would be on property owned by Wellspring United Methodist Church at 6200 Williams Drive, Hutchinson said.

Georgetown's most recent city bond package was in 2021, when voters approved $90 million for transportation projects.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 10, and early voting runs from Oct. 23 through Nov. 3. Polling places, dates and times are available at wilcotx.gov/elections.