Williamson County residents could decide whether a host of transportation projects receive funding later this year as a committee of citizens is assessing the region’s road and bridge needs.
Current situation
As part of the Williamson County Citizens Bond Committee’s mission to analyze the county’s infrastructure needs, its members have been meeting with city and county officials throughout May to hear requests for project funding. The committee, composed of nine members appointed by the Williamson County Commissioners Court, plans to bring a recommendation to the court by June 27.
As of May 9, the cites of Georgetown, Jarrell and Florence have brought requests for road and park projects to the committee in addition to projects proposed by county staff to address needs within Williamson County’s Precinct 3. Meanwhile, other cities have drawn up construction proposals for the committee to consider, including Austin, Liberty Hill, Hutto, Pflugerville, Leander, Cedar Park, Taylor, Bartlett and Coupland. Some funding requests include money for entire projects, while others are proposals for phases of construction as part of long-term plans to improve the area’s road infrastructure.
Meeting highlights
Members of the committee discussed with Robert Daigh, Williamson County senior director of infrastructure, in a May 1 meeting how they should prioritize projects—whether to bring proposals for whole projects or phases of construction to county commissioners, who make the ultimate decision on calling a November bond election.
Daigh said road projects are so expensive that planners generally only build what is needed at the time.
“For instance, the city of Georgetown’s top-requested project is the intersection for the [SE] Inner Loop,” Daigh said. “So what they were proposing was really to build Phase 1 of that intersection, but the need for that I think is high. ... So I would not discount it, personally, because it was a phase 1 and that will someday be expanded when the need necessitates it.”
Each county commissioner appointed two members to the nine-person panel, while County Judge Bill Gravell appointed the chair, former Commissioner David Hays. The advisory committee also includes Meg Walsh and Larry Madsen, Precinct 1; Joe Bob Ellison and Bill Chapman, Precinct 2; Steve Fought and Mike Russell, Precinct 3; and Michele Sherwood and Bryon Brochers, Precinct 4.
The breakdown
The county has invited cities to bring project proposals to be considered in a November bond election. Several cities have received the approval from their respective city councils to submit projects to the county's bond committee.
Georgetown
The committee will continue to meet throughout May and in June. All meetings, which begin at 5 p.m., provide time for public comments.
- May 10 at Jester Annex, 1801 Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock
- May 17 at Williamson County Expo Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail, Taylor
- May 31 at Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main St., Cedar Park
- June 14 at Georgetown Annex, 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown
- June 21 at Georgetown Annex, 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown
