Georgetown, September 11, 2025
News Summary
The Georgetown City Council has approved a $1.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which marks a significant increase aimed at supporting essential services and infrastructure. Alongside this budget, the council has set a new property tax rate of 35.3 cents per $100 valuation, the lowest in the Austin metro area. Homeowners can expect a slight increase in their property tax bills due to rising property values. The budget also includes provisions for 70 new city positions and various utility rate increases.
Georgetown City Council Approves $1.3 Billion Budget with Lowest Property Tax Rate in Austin Metro Area
The Georgetown City Council has approved a $1.3 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026, marking a significant increase from last year. On September 9, the council adopted the budget that aims to provide essential services and infrastructure to support the rapidly growing community.
Alongside the budget, the council set a new property tax rate at 35.3 cents per $100 valuation, a reduction from the previous rate of 36.5 cents. This rate is now just 0.01 cents below the voter approval threshold established by state law, positioning Georgetown as the city with the lowest property tax rate among those with populations over 20,000 in the Austin metropolitan area.
Despite the decrease in the tax rate, homeowners in Georgetown can expect to see an average increase of about $14 in their property tax bills due to rising property values. This reflects a growing demand for housing and the overall real estate market within the city.
Budget Breakdown
The approved budget represents an increase of approximately $481 million compared to last year’s budget of $881 million. A significant component of the budget is the allocation for new capital projects, which accounts for approximately $703.2 million of the total budget.
Utility Rate Increases
Along with the budget, various utility rates are slated to increase:
- Water rates will rise by 9%, leading to an average monthly increase of about $6.90 for 10,000 gallons.
- Wastewater rates will increase by 12%, resulting in a monthly increase of approximately $6.50 for all customer types.
- Electric rates are set to go up by 2%, translating to about $2.40 more per month for residential customers.
- Solid waste rates will see a 4.5% rise, leading to an increase of roughly $1 per month for residential customers.
New Positions and Services
The budget will also support the addition of 70 new city positions, of which 21 will be specifically dedicated to enhancing the police and fire departments. The city’s leadership emphasizes ongoing investment in services and infrastructure to ensure reliable utilities and improved public safety for all residents.
Cost-Cutting Measures
To offset expenses, the new budget includes measures such as closing the River Ridge Pool, which has been labeled as “underutilized.” Additionally, the maintenance frequency for mowing and landscaping will be reduced during winter months, and fees for nonresident access to parks, recreation, and library services will be increased.
Community Engagement
For those interested in further details, the city’s website will provide additional information regarding the adopted budget later this year. This initiative reflects Georgetown’s commitment to careful financial stewardship while making strategic investments necessary for its expanding community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new property tax rate for Georgetown?
The new property tax rate is 35.3 cents per $100 valuation.
How much will the average homeowner’s property tax bill increase?
The average homeowner can expect an increase of about $14 in their property tax bill.
What is the budget for Fiscal Year 2026?
The Georgetown City Council approved a budget of $1.3 billion for Fiscal Year 2026.
What utility rates will increase?
Water, wastewater, electric, and solid waste rates will all see increases ranging from 2% to 12%.
Why was the River Ridge Pool closed?
The pool was deemed “underutilized” and will be closed as part of cost-cutting measures.
Chart of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Budget | $1.3 billion |
| Property Tax Rate | 35.3 cents per $100 valuation |
| Average Homeowner Tax Increase | $14 |
| New Capital Projects | $703.2 million |
| New City Positions | 70 |
| Utility Rate Increases | Water 9%, Wastewater 12%, Electric 2%, Solid Waste 4.5% |
| Closed Facilities | River Ridge Pool |
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Additional Resources
- Hello Georgetown
- Wikipedia: Georgetown, Texas
- KVUE
- Google Search: Georgetown Texas budget
- CBS Austin
- Google Scholar: Georgetown Texas budget
- Community Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Georgetown Texas budget
- KVUE Video
- Google News: Georgetown Texas budget
Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN
The GEORGETOWN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREgeorgetown.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Georgetown, Williamson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Red Poppy Festival, Georgetown Swirl, and Christmas Stroll. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Georgetown Association, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as local wineries and historic downtown shops. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
