Budget plan adds 31 jobs, has raises
— Georgetown’s proposed $354 million budget for 2018-19 maintains the same property tax rate, adds 31 jobs to the city, gives pay raises to employees, pays for the construction of a fire station, includes voter-approved bonds for roads and has a new neighborhood traffic management program.
Despite keeping the same property tax rate, the typical homeowner would see a $57 increase in taxes because property values have risen by an average of 4.9 percent. There also would be a $4.80 per month increase in the base electricity rate for residential customers to help replace poles, move power lines and increase system capacity.
The base wastewater rate for residential customers also would go up by $1.35 per month to help cover the cost of new wastewater lines, expand a treatment plant and reduce environmental effects on the aquifer.
Public hearings on the proposed budget will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday and Aug. 21 at City Council chambers at 101 E. Seventh St. The council will approve a budget Sept. 11.
The proposed budget helps prepare the city for the “incredible growth that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future,” according to a city news release.
New commercial and residential property is expected to add $1,048,344 in property tax revenue to the city. There were 746 new home permits issued in fiscal year 2017. As of early August, 975 new home permits had been issued in fiscal year 2018.
“The FY 2019 budget supports