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 the applicant had adjusted plans and secured a neighbor’s written support. The SUP passed unanimously.

The council also approved a rezoning request that would reclassify 0.16 acres at 609 South Church Street from Residential Single Family and the Old Town Historic Overlay to the Mixed Use Downtown (MUDT) zoning district and the Downtown Historic Overlay. Staff said the property is a Craftsman bungalow type noted on the city’s historic resource survey and that HARC and Planning & Zoning recommended approval; council approved the rezoning.

Human resources staff presented an ordinance under Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code to change civil service classifications and authorized position counts for firefighters and police officers. Human Resources Senior Generalist Robin Iverson said the net changes would increase authorized fire department positions by 10 (from 165 to 175) effective Oct. 1, 2025, and increase police department positions by a net of 7 on Oct. 1, 2025 (from 106 to 113) with a further increase of 1 on April 1, 2026 (to 114). Council voted to approve the ordinance; the item passed unanimously.

Council announced three actions taken following executive session. Mayor Pro Tem Pitts moved to authorize the city to file an objection to a condemnation award related to right-of-way acquisition on D.B. Wood Road affecting property noted by WCAD parcel ID R334387; the motion authorized the city attorney to file objections and proceed to trial as discussed in executive session. That motion passed with Council Member Stewart recorded as opposed. The council also approved a settlement agreement with New Horizons Utility LLC and Opt In Holdings 1 LLC related to an SOA docket and a TCEQ docket (docket references read at the meeting) — that motion passed unanimously — and authorized the city attorney to retain the law firm Spencer Fane to represent Georgetown on matters concerning a TCEQ TLAP permit application (WQ0016685001); that retention was approved unanimously.

Council members and staff emphasized different priorities during discussion: staff framed the budget and tax rate as routine statutory actions and provided a brief explanation of household impact; planning staff emphasized code compliance and neighborhood compatibility on zoning items; the applicant for the rezoning said long-term intent is a small commercial use or medical office rather than continued residential use.

The meeting concluded after the final votes and the council adjourned.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance adopting FY2026 annual budget (Chapter 102, Local Government Code as referenced in caption): passed by record vote, 7-0 (roll call recorded by district). (Motion read by Myra Cantu.) - Ordinance levying city property tax rate 35.3¢ for tax year 2025 (caption read by staff): passed by record vote, 7-0; staff said the change is equivalent to a 3.74% increase in the tax rate and ~ $14 annual increase for the average homeowner (city portion). - UDC text amendment (mountable curbs; 12/2006 and 12/2007 edits): motion to approve passed; Council Member Hood recorded as opposed. - Ordinance changing civil service classifications and position counts (Chapter 143, Texas Local Government Code): passed unanimously. - Special use permit (SUP) for accessory dwelling unit, 910 Country Club Road (Lot 9, Block E, Country Club Acres Unit 1): approved unanimously. Staff noted a private plat restriction (10-foot side-line building line) may require a minor design adjustment or a private amendment among property owners. - Rezoning, 609 South Church Street (0.16 acres, Lot 7 Block 11 Glasscalk Addition): rezoned from RS and Old Town Historic Overlay to Mixed Use Downtown (MUDT) and Downtown Historic Overlay: approved by council (motion carried). - Executive session actions: (1) Authorize filing objection to condemnation award (D.B. Wood Road right-of-way; WCAD parcel R334387) — passed with Council Member Stewart opposed; (2) Approve settlement agreement with New Horizons Utility LLC and Opt In Holdings 1 LLC (SOA and TCEQ dockets as read) — passed unanimously; (3) Authorize retention of Spencer Fane for TCEQ TLAP permit WQ0016685001 matters — passed unanimously.

Context and next steps The FY2026 budget and tax rate are effective for the coming fiscal year; staff and council did not identify follow-up votes tied to the budget at this meeting. Several planning items (the mountable-curb code language and the rezoning) reflect incremental changes to how the city regulates development in transition areas near downtown. The civil service ordinance specifies effective dates for increased position authorizations; implementation will be handled by human resources and the respective departments.

Quotes (selected) - "This is the second reading to adopt the budget for FY 26…" — Myra Cantu, Budget Manager. - "The 2025 theme is Preparedness Starts at Home…" — Mayor Josh Schrader (reading a proclamation at the start of the meeting). - "We have made the two changes you see on scribe here…" — Zane (staff presenting the UDC amendment). - "We currently do not have an HOA… I moved the stairs to the inside…" — Ann Marie Diaz, applicant for 910 Country Club Road SUP.

Ending Council members generally framed the votes as routine statutory actions (budget and tax rate) or incremental code and land-use adjustments intended to balance development and neighborhood compatibility. Several items included procedural caveats: the ADU approval referenced a private plat restriction that could require a design change or private amendment; the condemnation objection will proceed as litigation as authorized by council.