Georgetown City Council approved over $92 million in certificates of obligation and general obligation bonds at an April 28 meeting, which will fund projects to support public safety, roads and city facilities.
About the projects
The majority of the funding comes from $54 million in GO bonds, which fund voter-approved facility and street projects.
This includes $49 million for Georgetown’s new Customer Service Center, which is currently in the planning stage. The building is projected to open in early 2028, officials said.
Additionally, the GO bonds will fund:
- $4 million for the renovation and expansion of the Georgetown Recreation Center
- $1 million for priority sidewalks, and related safety and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements
Council members also approved $38.22 million in COs to address the city's rapid growth through public safety, transportation and infrastructure upgrades, according to city documents.
The COs will fund $12.9 million in street upgrades, which includes $11.9 million to construct and expand Leander Road, as well as $1 million for annual intersection improvements.
Other CO projects include:
- $11 million for Fire Station No. 8
- $6.65 million for police and fire fleet vehicles
- $3.5 million for parks
- $1.25 million for stormwater capital improvements and flood mitigation
Some context
GO bonds are voter-approved funding mechanisms that help pay for public projects, and are paid back through tax revenue. COs are bonds that cities can issue without voter approval, and are paid back through tax and project revenues.
Cities typically use GO bonds for projects that benefit the entire community, and COs can help fund a wider range of projects, usually on a tighter timeline, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
