If approved, one-quarter of 1% of the city’s 8.25% sales tax will be set aside for design, materials and construction of resurfacing projects done by the Public Works Department.
The state of Texas requires voters reauthorize the dedicated sales tax every four years. Georgetown voters first approved the tax in 2002. At the time, it passed with 57% of the vote; in 2018, it passed with 80% of the vote.
“The election gives us the authorization to keep collecting money,” Georgetown Communications Manager Keith Hutchinson said. “There has been no change in the rate from when it was put in place 20 years ago.”
Since April 2003, the sales tax has generated more than $46 million in revenue for street maintenance projects in Georgetown. The sales tax will generate an estimated additional $6.5 million in 2022, according to the city.
Before the dedicated sales tax was put in place for street maintenance, it was just a line item in the budget that came out of the general fund, Hutchinson said. During this time period, the city dedicated about $800,000 to street maintenance each year, he said.
Georgetown has also built more roadways in the last 20 years. According to city officials, the street network in Georgetown has more than doubled since 2002 from about 400 lane miles to nearly 1,000 lane miles in 2022.
If voters decide not to reauthorize the dedicated sales tax, City Council would need to use other revenue for street maintenance or adjust the street maintenance budget, Hutchinson said.
Early voting for the election begins Oct. 24. Election Day is Nov. 8.
