Round Rock to host Williamson County pioneer day

From Impact News, May 7, 2009...

Washing clothes, churning butter and working in the garden may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of how Williamson County families spend their weekends, but more than 500 people are expected to do just that May 9 at the fourth annual Williamson County Pioneer Day. The area’s heritage will be celebrated during the event at Old Settler’s Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd. in Round Rock.

The event will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and is free to the public. A pioneer-style lunch will be served at noon for $3 per person. Supplies are limited so guests are encouraged to arrive early.

For more information visit www.williamsonmuseum.org or call 943-1670.

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Travis County sees rise in home values

From Impact News, May 6, 2009...

Home values increased by 5 percent in Travis County over the last year as neighboring Williamson County experienced a 1.3 percent decline.

Travis County’s average homestead appraisal rose from $281,623 in 2008 to $295,747 in 2009. The average value in the Williamson Central Appraisal District is $188,523 this year, compared with an average of $191,072 last year.

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House approves bill to help grow WillCo Higher Ed. Center

From Austin Business Journal, May 6, 2009...

A bill that would allow the Eastern Williamson County Higher Education Center to expand its facilities, thereby increasing capacity, is moving forward.

State Representative Diana Maldonado, D-Round Rock, penned the legislation, House Bill 2805, which would allow EWCHEC to finance the construction of a new building. It passed unanimously on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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Campaign encourages residents, businesses to improve air quality

From Round Rock City News, April 29, 2009...

On Monday, April 20, area elected officials including Mayor Alan McGraw, Williamson County Commissioners Lisa Birkman, Precinct 1, and Valerie Covey, Precinct 3, participated in a rally at the state Capitol in support of the region’s “Big Push” initiative to remain in compliance with federal health-based standards for ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog.

The rally celebrated the unveiling of an exciting, region-wide public awareness campaign, “Ozone Action Heroes,” that empowers, educates and encourages residents and businesses to join the growing force to improve our air quality. By committing to at least three simple, yet heroic, actions such as refueling after 6 p.m., checking tire pressure and turning off the lights, we will win the battle against air pollution.

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Taylor hosts ground breaking at East Williamson County Regional Park

From Impact News, February 17, 2009...

Williamson County and City of Taylor officials broke ground Feb. 16 at East Williamson County Regional Park, a $7.8 million project scheduled for completion this fall. The 75-acre park has been in planning and design stages since 2005.

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Commissioners court approves proposed landfill contract

From Impact News, February 6, 2009...

The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a proposed contract Feb. 3 concerning the operation of the county's landfill. The proposed contract, with revisions made during a two-hour, closed-door session, was unanimously approved by the Commissioners, but must still be given the green light by Waste Management.

One change to the contract that came from executive session was dedicated funds to benefit the City of Hutto and Hutto ISD. Several Williamson County residents, business owners and officials voiced their concerns over the contract during the citizen's comments portion of the meeting, all agreeing that the project should be put up for a 30-day review and that it should be publicly bid.

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Commissioners continue forward with proposed landfill contract

From statesman, February 3, 2009...

Williamson County commissioners today agreed to pitch a proposed contract to Waste Management of Texas for consideration regarding the county’s landfill north of Hutto.

The proposed contract gives the county more money and control over its landfill, which is operated by Waste Management.

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Bill would launch pilot bus-only lane program in local counties

From Austin Business Journal, January 19, 2009...

Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, has filed a bill that would create a motor-bus-only lane pilot program for state highways in Travis, Williamson, Bexar and Denton counties.

If passed, Senate Bill 434 would require appropriate mass transit authorities to initiate the pilot program no later than Dec. 31, 2009.

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Williamson County job growth among nation's best

From Impact News, January 16, 2009...

Williamson County's employment growth rate ranks among the best in the nation, according to reports released Jan. 13 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics [PDF].

The one-year study tracked job growth in more than 300 of the country's largest counties between June 2007 and June 2008. Williamson County saw an increase of 4.3 percent, while more than half of the counties experienced declining rates. The national average was a decrease of 0.3 percent.

Seven of the top ten counties were in Texas, which ranked third in statewide job growth. The state experienced a one-year job increase of 2.2 percent, behind North Dakota and Wyoming.

Weekly wages in Williamson County also increased from $786 to $801, or 1.9 percent.

Percent growth in employment, June 2007 - June 2008

1. Orleans, La., 5.6 percent
2. Williamson, Texas, 4.3 percent
3. Fort Bend, Texas, 4.2 percent
4. Tulare, Calif., 4 percent
5. Montgomery, Texas, 3.8 percent
6. Bell, Texas, 3.6 percent
7. Cass, N.D., 3.5 percent
8. Brazos, Texas, 3.0 percent
9. Denton, Texas, 3.0 percent
10. Harris, Texas, 2.8 percent

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Wilco pushes for EPA attainment label

From Hill Country News, January 14, 2009...

Not everyone is earth- and environmentally-conscious about recycling and the green movement these days, but one thing is for sure - everyone likes having clean air to breathe. With this in mind, Williamson County has always worked hard to keep air pollution at a minimum and now its efforts could pay off.

Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided to set more restrictive standards on ozone levels in the atmosphere by lowering the current levels from 80 parts per billion (ppb) to 75 ppb. Counties and regions now have until 2013 to come into compliance, or “attainment,” with these levels.

Williamson County was originally supposed to be included in a five-county region of Central Texas that would include Travis County, which does not meet the standards.

However, by being included, the region would be designated as a non-attainment area because it doesn't meet the standards, even though Williamson County does.

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Travis County shows modest wage growth

From Austin Business Journal, January 13, 2009...

Wages in Travis County grew 2.1 percent from June 2007 to June 2008, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Tuesday.

Workers in Travis County made an average of $925 a week in June 2008. The county’s 1.6 percent job growth rate over the 12-month period was the 31st fastest in the country.

The average weekly wage in neighboring Williamson County was $801, up 1.9 percent from June 2007. Williamson County’s 4.3 percent job growth rate during the study period was the second-fastest in the country.

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Williamson Co. OKs T. Don Hutto Detention Center

From KEYE, December 23, 2008...

Williamson County Tuesday approved extending the contract for a controversial corrections facility.

Commissioners voted in favor of keeping the T. Don Hutto Detention facility for two years. The vote was 4-1 with Lisa Birkman voting against.

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Construction could halt in Wilco if air quality status is poor

From News 8 Austin, December 11, 2008...

A commute through Williamson County has gotten more congested, which typically means there's increased construction in the works, too.

And that construction could come to a halt if Williamson County's air quality status is considered too poor.

"At that point the federal funds could be cut, the infrastructure, the building infrastructure could be cut and that is a huge thing that we don't want to happen in a growing county," Williamson County Commissioner Ron Morrison said.

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Williamson County among top U.S. counties for job growth

From Round Rock City News...

In March 2008, Williamson County had the fourth largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment among the largest counties in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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County prosecutor to pursue toll scofflaws

From Community Impact Newspaper, December 12, 2008...

Drivers who fail to pay the piper for using Toll 183A will soon have to face the music. Starting in January, the Williamson County Prosecutor will begin legal proceedings against drivers who have repeatedly ignored requests for payment.

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From small town to boom town

From statesman, November 28, 2008...

At least one area in Central Texas is thriving these days despite the real estate slowdown: Liberty Hill, the small town just north of Cedar Park and Leander.

In fact, Liberty Hill is in the only real estate zone in Travis, Williamson, Bastrop and Hays counties where more homes have sold this year than last. Through October, 150 homes have sold there, with a median price of $217,000. That compares with 112 homes sold through October 2007, with a median price of $229,840.

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Public comment sought on RM 2338 project

From Austin Business Journal, November 25, 2008...

The Texas Department of Transportation, in cooperation with Williamson County and the Federal Highway Administration, will hold a public hearing to discuss plans to improve Ranch to Market Road 2338 from Farm to Market Road 3405 to the proposed Ronald Reagan Boulevard. RM 2338 is located in northwestern Williamson County west of Georgetown.

The public hearing will take place on Dec. 2 starting with an open house from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Ford Elementary School, 210 Woodlake Drive in Georgetown. The open house will provide displays of the project area and other project information, while project team members will be available to answer questions.

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Austin area foreclosures climb 27% in 2008

From Austin Business Journal, November 25, 2008...

The number of properties posted for foreclosure in Travis County increased 33 percent this year over 2007, a new record for the county, according to data for the year from Addison-based Foreclosure Listing Service Inc.

Foreclosure postings filed on real estate in the four-county Austin metro area - Travis, Hays, Williamson and Bastrop - topped 9,000, or a 27 percent increase compared with 2007, for the first time this year, says George Roddy, president of Foreclosure Listing Service based in Addison.

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Burn Ban Reminder

There is a burn ban currently in effect for Travis County, according to the Travis County Fire Marshall.

A similar ban is in effect for Williamson County, Hays County, Burnet County, Kerr County, and Bastrop County.

Williamson County Courthouse receives top honor

From News 8 Austin, November 14, 2008...

The historic Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown received a top honor Friday.
It was awarded the best restoration in the 2008 Texas Downtown Association Presidents Awards Program.

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