Williamson County

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.
Natalie and Todd Corporon are in the process of renovating a brewery in Granger. Photos by Linda Dwyer

Natalie and Todd Corporon are in the process of renovating a brewery in Granger. Photos by Linda Dwyer

Take an easy adventure to Granger

The City of Granger developed in the late 1800s  when the railroad intersected at the site. The community was named for a Civil War veteran. The Granger Banner Newspaper went into print and a post office was established. Banks, churches and schools followed.
A full moon, called a Sturgeon Moon, rises just before 8:30 p.m. over the Ging Farm grain elevators along Pfluger Berkman Road on Monday, August 19.  This is near Coupland and close to the Williamson and Travis County lines.

A full moon, called a Sturgeon Moon, rises just before 8:30 p.m. over the Ging Farm grain elevators along Pfluger Berkman Road on Monday, August 19. This is near Coupland and close to the Williamson and Travis County lines.

Sturgeon Moon rises over Coupland

A full moon, called a Sturgeon Moon, rises just before 8:30 p.m. over the Ging Farm grain elevators along Pfluger Berkman Road on Monday, August 19.  This is near Coupland and close to the Williamson and Travis County lines.   Photo by Andy Sharp
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.
Wilco Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the county during the August 6 Commissioners Court meeting at the historic courthouse. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Wilco Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the county during the August 6 Commissioners Court meeting at the historic courthouse. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County budget could go up 8.7 percent for FY 2025

Williamson County’s preliminary budget for the 2025 fiscal year shows an estimated $609 million in total expenditures. The budget was presented to county commissioners by Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay during a preliminary budget discussion on Tuesday, August 6.
All four county Justices of the Peace give a presentation on the need for a medical examiner in Leander on July 25. From left to right: KT Musselman, Angela Williams, Evelyn McLean, Rhonda Redden. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

All four county Justices of the Peace give a presentation on the need for a medical examiner in Leander on July 25. From left to right: KT Musselman, Angela Williams, Evelyn McLean, Rhonda Redden. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Death Cases Stacking Up Part 2

 Editor’s note: This is part two of a series examining the multi-layered issue of Williamson County lacking a coroner's office. Part one explained the situation at hand and can be accessed online or in the July 24 print edition. The final installment is scheduled to be published on August 11.
Dave Porter, executive director of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership, gives the annual presentation to the County Commissioners July 30. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Dave Porter, executive director of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership, gives the annual presentation to the County Commissioners July 30. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County EDP shares industry projects, employment standing

Williamson County is expected to get seven new multi-million dollar businesses from four different industries in the coming years. Executive Director Dave Porter of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership said Wilco is the “pacesetter” for economic growth in the area.
 The Williamson County Election Board votes to use pre-printed ballots for the upcoming November election. From left to right: Democratic Party Chair Kim Gilby, County Sheriff Mike Gleason, Wilco Election Administrator Bridgette Escobedo, County Judge Bill Gravell and Republican Party Chair Michelle Evans. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

The Williamson County Election Board votes to use pre-printed ballots for the upcoming November election. From left to right: Democratic Party Chair Kim Gilby, County Sheriff Mike Gleason, Wilco Election Administrator Bridgette Escobedo, County Judge Bill Gravell and Republican Party Chair Michelle Evans. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County Election Board approves pre-printed ballots, early voting members

Registered voters will use pre-printed sequentially numbered paper ballots for the November election.