Data: Majority of WilCo home values decline or remain the same in 2012

According to a news release by the Williamson Central Appraisal District, 51 percent of residential properties reflect a decrease in value, 36 percent show an increase and 13 percent remained within $1,000 of their 2011 valuation. This is the fourth consecutive year the majority of values have decreased or remained the same.

Despite the dip in values, there were more than 2,900 new homes built in the county in 2011, offsetting the decrease and causing the preliminary average home market value to rise less than 1 percent.

Average home valuation in 2011: $186,416

Average home valuation in 2012: $187, 451

County begins vehicle registration pilot program with DMV

The Williamson County Tax Assessor/Collector's Office will partner with Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to pilot a program that offers drivers remote locations for vehicle registration renewals in addition to the tax assessor/collector's offices.

Only vehicle registration renewals, not new registrations, will be available at the remote locations.

This pilot program will be held at Precinct 4 Commissioner Ron Morrison's Office, 350 Exchange Blvd., Ste. 100, Hutto, on April 27 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The program is open to all Williamson County residents with vehicle registration renewals for April and May.

Applicants must present renewal notices, current proof of insurance and pay by check or credit card. However, there is a 2.85 percent service fee for credit card transactions.

"If successful, this enhancement will allow us the opportunity to consider providing this service at other remote locations in the future," said Deborah Hunt, county tax assessor/collector.