Georgetown City Council adopts $1.3 billion FY2026 budget, approves 35.3¢ tax rate and multiple zoning, staffing and legal actions

Georgetown City Council members approved the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget and set a property tax rate of 35.3 cents during a meeting in Georgetown, Texas. Council also moved on a range of other measures, including changes to the unified development code addressing mountable curbs, civil service staffing adjustments for police and fire, a special use permit for an accessory dwelling unit, a rezoning request downtown and three actions authorized after executive session.

The council adopted the FY2026 budget as read by Budget Manager Myra Cantu: a $1.3 billion budget, with a capital improvement component discussed in the presentation. The vote was taken by record roll call and passed unanimously, 7-0.

The council also adopted a tax rate of 35.3 cents per $100 of assessed value — a 3.74% increase in the rate as announced at the meeting — which staff said would amount to roughly a $14 annual increase for the average homeowner from the city portion of the tax bill. That ordinance passed on a record vote, 7-0.

Council approved several planning and development items. The council approved a unified development code text amendment that reinstates limited allowance for mountable curbs while adding a four-foot gap between the curb edge and sidewalks; the motion carried with one dissenting vote from Council Member Hood. Planning staff (Zane) described the change as returning to the code’s previous language while adding the buffer to reduce sidewalk encroachments.

On development permits, the council granted a special use permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 910 Country Club Road. Assistant Planning Director Travis Baird and applicant Ann Marie Diaz described the proposal as an ADU above an existing garage; staff noted a private plat restriction requiring structures be no nearer than 10 feet to the side lot line that could affect the current design and said…