The Williamson County Commissioners Court accepted the budget office’s recommendation of $390.29 million for its fiscal year 2019-20 budget. During an Aug. 6 meeting, County Budget Officer Ashlie Koenig recommended a general fund budget of $219.8 million, a road and bridge fund budget of $42.74 million and a debt service fund budget of $127.74 million. The general fund recommendation of $219.8 million is an increase of about $7 million, or 3.3%, from the adopted fiscal year 2018-19 budget. The road and bridge fund recommendation is an increase of $1.9 million, or 4.73%, from the adopted FY 2018-19 budget. The budget office also recommended adding 32 full-time employees, upgrading one part-time employee to a full-time position and adding three part-time positions. This is down from the 156 requested full-time employees from department officials. Of the recommended new positions, public safety would receive 15 employees, general government would receive 10 employees, parks would receive six employees and the judicial department will receive five employees. The court also set its maximum total tax rate to $0.459029 per $100 valuation, which is the current tax rate. Williamson County Tax Assessor-Collector Larry Gaddes said the effective tax rate is $0.444477 per $100 valuation, which would produce the same amount of revenue if applied to the same properties that are taxed in both years. He also stated the rollback rate would be $0.471596 per $100 valuation, which is the rate that, if exceeded, allows the public to petition for a rollback election. The budget and tax rate are not finalized and may change following a public hearing and two budget modification voting sessions. Public hearings will be held Aug. 13 and 20 at 10 a.m. at 710 S. Main St., Georgetown. The Commissioners Court will vote to adopt the budget Aug. 27. FY 2019-20 begins Oct. 1.