Georgetown City Council begins budget discussions

The proposed budget also includes a 2.88 percent solid waste rate increase, which was approved by City Council on July 8. The rate change will help pay for fuel and labor costs, which have increased, Georgetown Conservation Services Manager Kathy Ragsdale said.

City Councilman Tommy Gonzalez requested putting $150,000 a year for five years in a cemetery fund. The money would be used to help with the citys liability for the facility and pay for cemetery maintenance and upkeep in the future.

These monies and these liabilities concern me and the sooner we close the gap the more comfortable I will feel for our city in the future, Gonzalez said, referring to the citys Texas Municipal Retirement System unfunded liability and the cemetery.

Gonzalez also suggested the city put more money into the TMRS.

City Councilman Keith Brainard also requested city staff members look at how much it would cost to keep the recreation center open seven days a week or keep the facility open on Sundays and close it on Mondays.

City Council members suggested additional changes to be brought back for further discussion at upcoming budget hearings.

Brandenburg said the budget proposes a property tax rate of $0.435 cents per $100 of property valuation, which is nearly half a cent below the current rate of $0.4395 per $100 of property valuation.

The average home value, which will be certified July 25, increased 16.2 percent in Georgetown to $221,723. In FY 201314 the average home value was $190,802, Georgetown Chief Financial Officer Micki Rundell said.

Rundell said the budget addressed the citys growth needs as well as legal requirements while being lean and addressing the councils strategic goals.

City Council will have a third budget workshop July 22 at 2 p.m. to discuss changes to the proposed budget, and will have a vote to set the maximum tax rate during its regular meeting July 22, which begins at 6 p.m.

A special budget workshop is also scheduled for July 29 at 6 p.m., according to a city news release.

The first and second public hearings on the tax rate will be Aug. 12 and 19 at 6 p.m. The first public hearing on the budget will be Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. The first reading of the budget and tax rate will also be Aug. 26. The second readings will be Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.

The meetings will be held in the Council Chambers and Municipal Court Building at 101 E. Seventh St.

A copy of the budget can be found at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St., at City Hall, 113 W. Eighth St., or online at www.georgetown.org.