Hutto - Taylor

County Commissioner Valerie Covey, center, explains her reason for adding personnel to handle Child Protective Services cases in Williamson County during the September 17 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valerie Covey, center, explains her reason for adding personnel to handle Child Protective Services cases in Williamson County during the September 17 meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County adds personnel to CPS caseworkers

 "We realized what an abysmal situation it is.” – Valerie Covey, County Commissioner Precinct 3 Williamson County will add a legal assistant and two care coordinators to help with Child Protection Service cases.
Members of the Taylor Fire Department take part in the parade along Main Street  during the Patriot Day observance on Wednesday evening, September 11, 2024.   Patriot Day commemorates the events of September 11, 2001.    Photo by Andy Sharp.

Members of the Taylor Fire Department take part in the parade along Main Street during the Patriot Day observance on Wednesday evening, September 11, 2024. Patriot Day commemorates the events of September 11, 2001. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Taylor observes Patriot Day

The marijuana seized by the Wilco Criminal Interdiction Unit. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

The marijuana seized by the Wilco Criminal Interdiction Unit. (Courtesy Williamson County Sheriff's Office)

Two more drug-related cases close out August

Approximately 32 pounds of marijuana were seized after a vehicle was searched as part of a traffic stop August 27 in Williamson County. The Williamson County Criminal Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation.
From left to right, Chairman of the Central Texas Community Foundation Luke Cochran, Texas Baptist Children's Home President Debbie Rippstein,  Ron Martin of Emerson Technologies, volunteer of the year Hollis Bone and Executive Director of CTXCF Amy Merida take a photo at the 2024 CTXCF Legacy Luncheon in Kalahari Resort and Conventions on September 4.  Photo courtesy of Central Texas Community Foundation.

From left to right, Chairman of the Central Texas Community Foundation Luke Cochran, Texas Baptist Children's Home President Debbie Rippstein, Ron Martin of Emerson Technologies, volunteer of the year Hollis Bone and Executive Director of CTXCF Amy Merida take a photo at the 2024 CTXCF Legacy Luncheon in Kalahari Resort and Conventions on September 4. Photo courtesy of Central Texas Community Foundation.

Williamson County foundation honors nonprofits, volunteers at awards lunch

 The Texas Baptist Children's Home received the 2024 Impact Award September 4 during the Central Texas Community Foundation’s sixth annual Legacy Luncheon. Formerly the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, Central Texas Community Foundation’s mission is to spark philanthropic giving.

Sales tax revenue skyrockets in Liberty Hill

The August 2024 sales tax revenue report by the Texas Comptroller revealed that revenue in Liberty Hill skyrocketed, increasing by 62.52 percent since August 2023. Meanwhile, sales tax revenue in Taylor plummeted, bringing in a mere 41 percent less when compared to the year prior.
Brandy Hunter, left, and Tracy Love, walk their horses during sunset at the Texas Senior Pro Rodeo Association’s event held at the Williamson County Expo Center on Saturday, August 24. Both competed in Barrel Racing at the competition. Founded in 1978, the group promotes rodeo activities for athletes 40-years old or older. This year’s Taylor stop concluded on Sunday at the Expo Center.

Brandy Hunter, left, and Tracy Love, walk their horses during sunset at the Texas Senior Pro Rodeo Association’s event held at the Williamson County Expo Center on Saturday, August 24. Both competed in Barrel Racing at the competition. Founded in 1978, the group promotes rodeo activities for athletes 40-years old or older. This year’s Taylor stop concluded on Sunday at the Expo Center.

Sun's not settin' on these cowboys

The Texas Senior Pro Rodeo Association's  rodeo held at the Williamson County Expo Center on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Founded in 1978, the group promotes rodeo for athletes 40-years old or older.  This year's Taylor stop concluded on Sunday, August 25, at the Expo Center.
The Williamson County Commissioners vote to approve the Budget and Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025 during the August 27 meeting at the historic courthouse. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The Williamson County Commissioners vote to approve the Budget and Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025 during the August 27 meeting at the historic courthouse. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Money matters: Williamson County Commissioners OKs $635 million county budget

 The average Williamson County homestead will pay approximately $191.45 more in county property taxes for Fiscal Year 2025. Williamson County Commissioners Tuesday, August 27, approved the FY 2025 budget, with expenses set at  $635,129,938. The new tax rate was set at 39.
Drew Clinkscales, left, and Matt Bishop, with the  M & D Texas BBQ team, prepare their three briskets for judging at  the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024.  Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday.    Photo by Andy Sharp.

Drew Clinkscales, left, and Matt Bishop, with the M & D Texas BBQ team, prepare their three briskets for judging at the 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Texas pitmasters smoke competition at 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off

 The 45th Taylor International BBQ Cook-Off began on Friday, August 16.  Held at Murphy Park, the event, attracting entrants from all over Texas, continued through Saturday.    Photo by Andy Sharp. 
County Commissioner Valerie Covey of Precinct 3 presents the current state and expansion ideas for the County Jail and Justice Center during the August 20 commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valerie Covey of Precinct 3 presents the current state and expansion ideas for the County Jail and Justice Center during the August 20 commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County evaluating jail expansion, rework

The Williamson County Commissioners Court will implement a plan to provide short-term space to the Williamson County Jail beginning in October. Commissioner Valerie Covey Tuesday, August 20, discussed expanding the county jail and Justice Center to accommodate Wilco’s growing population.
County Commissioner Valerie Covey presents her idea on how the death investigators would function if the county were to adopt them in the budget. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valerie Covey presents her idea on how the death investigators would function if the county were to adopt them in the budget. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County Commissioners deliberate death investigator role in budget workshop

  For the second week in a row, Williamson County budget talks August 13 greatly focused on a request from Wilco’s four justices of the peace, who have asked for support to alleviate the growing demand that death inquests put on their offices.