"The city is committed to the premise that we must make every effort to keep the vitality and diversity of our city alive and well. Population is growing, considerable interest is being exhibited by other businesses and the projects being contemplated are great assets to our city." —George Garver, Georgetown mayor

Meetings

The council meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Terms and compensation

The mayor and council serve three-year terms with no term limits. The mayor's salary is $550 a month, and council members receive $400 a month. Council could increase its compensation after the 2013 City Council elections.

TV coverage

Meetings are replayed on Suddenlink Cable Channel 10 at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday following each City Council meeting. Each meeting is also broadcast on the city's website.

City Council 101

Georgetown City Council members are elected from single-member districts, and the mayor is elected at-large. Each council member must live in the district he or she represents.

  • George Garver - Mayor, 2011–14
  • Patty Eason – District 1, 2012–15
  • Troy Hellmann – District 2, 2011–14
  • Danny Meigs – District 3, 2010–13
  • Bill Sattler – District 4, 2010–13
  • Jerry Hammerlun – District 5, 2012–15
  • Rachael Jonrowe – District 6, 2011–14
  • Tommy Gonzalez – District 7, 2010–13

Big decisions made in 2012

  • Facilities — The council approved a construction manager at risk for construction of the Public Safety Operations and Training Facility, which will serve as the police and fire departments' headquarters. Fire Station No. 5 was also completed.
  • Utilities — The city ended its wholesale power contract with the Lower Colorado River Authority in 2012, and the city will continue to work toward acquiring the Chisholm Trail Special Utility District throughout 2013.
  • Budget — Council members approved a budget that included a nearly 2 cents per $100 property valuation tax increase. The additional property taxes raised could help fund items in the budget that would have been debt-funded.
  • Solid waste and recycling — The council approved a contract with Texas Disposal Systems for the city's solid-waste services and a new single-stream recycling service.
  • Compensation plan — City Council approved more than $325,000 in pay increases for public safety personnel. Along with increasing pay for police officers and firefighters, the plan simplified the public safety pay scale from an 18-step plan to nine steps. The city also studied salaries across the board.

Top issues for 2013

  • Water — The council will consider water conservation issues in 2013, including if new sources of water should be acquired. City Council could also consider new landscaping requirements.
  • Public safety — City Council approved the appointment of John Sullivan as fire chief. His first day is expected to be Jan. 21. Sullivan will oversee the opening of Fire Station No. 2, which is being reconstructed on Williams Drive.
  • Convention center — City Council could approve final agreements with developers of The Summit at Rivery Park for the purchase of a 53,000-square-foot convention center.
  • Facilities — Council could consider options for the former Albertsons building at Austin Avenue and Williams Drive. The council may also discuss issuing park bond funds to build a park on the west side of town and an amphitheater.
  • Downtown projects — The city will continue to work toward attracting retail and dining establishments to the downtown area. Several other projects are expected to open in 2013, including the art center and Grape Creek Winery.

Source: City Manager Paul Brandenburg