Georgetown considering $90.4M budget, prepares for growth

Georgetown City Council began discussing the city's fiscal year 2021-22 budget July 26.

City staffers are creating the FY 2021-22 budget with considerations for future growth, City Manager David Morgan said.

Staffers presented a draft budget with a general fund totaling $90.4 million, a 3% increase from FY 2020-21 projections.

The general fund is expected to consist of $23.9 million in sales tax revenues, a 4.5% increase from FY 2020-21 projections. The tax rate is projected to be $0.404 per $100 property value, a decrease of $0.014 from the current tax rate of $0.418.

To address future growth, the budget would add a total of 51 new positions to address rapid system growth and prepare for future water facilities. In addition, an accelerated capital improvement program totaling $49.8 million in water and wastewater treatment capacity and distribution system is planned to be implemented.

The draft budget also plans to restore merit compensation to average of 3% for FY 2021-22 and 10% increase in contributions for health insurance for both the city and employees, Morgan said during the presentation.

In the proposed budget, the city is also preparing for continued public safety investments, which include funds to hire firefighters, add fire enhancement training, add police investigative staffing and equipment, and add capital equipment to prepare for the use of a police dog unit in FY 2022-23, Morgan added.

Morgan will present council with a final proposal Aug. 10 and council will set the max tax rate. On Sept. 14, City Council will hold public hearings on the budget and tax rate and consider the first reading of the budget and tax rate. Council is scheduled to adopt the budget and tax rate Sept. 28.