Georgetown staff outline five‑year parks and facilities capital plan and mid‑year budget changes; council asked for priorities

City staff presented a combined update on the five‑year capital improvement program for parks and municipal facilities and a recommended mid‑year budget amendment at a council workshop. Presenters summarized ongoing projects, proposed new projects and funding timing, and sought council feedback on priorities for FY 2026–2027.

Major CIP projects and status - Gary Park Phase 2: Staff said the project is under construction after a $20 million gift held by a donor advised fund and that renovation of the Gary House and skate‑park area are priorities for fall opening; overall project completion was estimated in spring 2026. - Customer Service Center: A voter‑approved bond of $56 million funds a consolidated customer service center; staff reported the design is back on track and the project will be CMAR with a potential construction start in summer 2026 after a roughly 56‑week design/plan review phase. - YMCA partnership: The city’s $10 million contribution toward the YMCA was noted; staff said timing has been moved to a future budget year in part because of Attorney General review and timing questions. - Downtown parking garage: Construction is underway; the project budget is $23.1 million and staff reported the project remains on track for late 2025 completion with more than 300 new parking spaces and a parking guidance system. - Fire facilities and logistics: Fire Logistics Building (2026 completion target), Fire Station 1 renovation, and planning for future Fire Station 8 (design proposed to begin 2026) were discussed, with multi‑year funding needs noted. - Parks projects: Blue Hole master‑plan design funding ($1M FY26; construction FY27), Chautauqua Park restroom and playground replacement (design FY26, construction FY27), San Jose Park improvements, and the Berry Creek regional trail feasibility (discussed separately) were described.

Mid‑year budget amendment highlights - Capital shifts: Staff proposed moving the YMCA $10 million appropriation to a later budget year and requested additional appropriations where bids or changes required adjustments, e.g., Leander Road, sidewalk projects and FM 971 widening tied to a county grant. - Utilities and fleet: Staff proposed shifting vehicle purchases and resulting asset accounting so that utility funds (water/electric) directly own utility vehicles rather than funneling purchases through the city fleet fund. Staff said this was an accounting and asset‑management item discussed with bond counsel. - Personnel and retirements: Staff reported several long‑tenured public‑safety retirements and requested limited appropriations to cover benefit payouts and to reclassify positions to align with the pending customer service center organization. - Animal services transition: Because the previously anticipated transition timing was delayed pending legal approvals, staff requested additional operating appropriations to cover the period before transfer to the new arrangement with Williamson County.

Council feedback and priorities - Chautauqua Park: Councilmembers repeatedly urged expediting restoration of closed restrooms and picnic facilities and prioritized prompt neighborhood park maintenance. - Financial discipline and timing: Council asked staff to re‑examine schedules and opportunities to accelerate or compress work where possible while remaining within budget constraints, and to present clearer comparisons between bids and estimates for projects that had come in over or under budget. - Project trade‑offs: Councilmembers asked staff to provide more detail on right‑of‑way acquisition needs, contingency allowances, and cost‑saving options (for example, temporary irrigation vs. permanent systems along medians and park plantings).

What the record does not show - No formal mid‑year budget ordinance was adopted during the workshop session. Staff will return with formal amendment language and schedule items for council action.

Ending note: Staff will return with refined cost estimates and contract documents for several projects and a formal mid‑year amendment ordinance; council emphasized rapid attention to neighborhood park amenities and asked staff to prioritize both high‑use park repairs and fiscally prudent timing of larger facility projects.