Williamson County officials updated the policy for multiuse conference rooms in county buildings at an April 28 Commissioners Court meeting, restricting room reservations to county operations and approved outside entities.
The gist
The updated policy aims to prioritize county business and improve security while limiting liability, according to county documents. It will affect rooms in the Georgetown Annex, Cedar Park Annex, Jester Annex, and the administration and historic courthouse buildings.
Under the new multiuse room reservation policy, the following outside entities are allowed to reserve rooms:
- Emergency services districts
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center
- The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and the needs of the Elections Department will be prioritized.
The background
County Manager Rebecca Clemons said the county has begun running out of space for its own functions, especially during busy periods like elections, prompting the policy change.
“[We’re] getting away from being a public rental process to making sure that we do reservations for county staff, for county business, and for those associated entities with the county to be able to meet and have business here,” Clemons said.
Commissioners also mentioned ongoing issues with the previous public rental process, including rule violations, uncollected trash and exterior doors being left unlocked or propped open after hours.
