Georgetown City Council gave initial approval to raise solid waste fees for fiscal year 2025-26 at a meeting Sept. 23.

Explained: Cities charge residential and commercial solid waste disposal fees to pay for the cost of managing and disposing of trash, recycling and composting. The charge appears on utility bills.

After conducting a rate study, Georgetown determined the current solid waste fees will need incremental increases over the next few years to continue to support the solid waste system.

The impact: Residential customers will see a 4.5% increase in their solid waste rates, and commercial customers will see a 9.5% increase. This same increase was implemented in FY 2024-25, city officials said.

The increase amounts to an additional $12-$19 a year for residential customers.

What’s next: The increase will go into effect for the new fiscal year, beginning Oct. 1.

This October, find spooky celebrations, outdoor fun and live art performances in Georgetown.

Loose Parts Nature Play
Park visitors are welcome to engage in supervised, unguided and nature-based play time. Park staff will give participants items from nature like pinecones and leaves to aid learning and creative thinking.

• Oct. 4 and 14, 10-11 a.m.
• Free (with park entry)
• 6450 RM 2243, Georgetown
• www.georgetowntexas.gov/parks

• Oct. 23, 5-7 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown
• www.georgetowntexas.gov

Taylor Arnold opened Georgetown Body Sculpting on Aug. 22, offering Zerona laser lipo treatments to clients seeking weight loss services. 

About the business: The business is a partnership with Austin Body Contouring, which is where Arnold sourced her equipment, she said. 

She opened the business in Georgetown to reach residents in the north Austin suburbs at a more convenient location. 

“My goal is to assist people who are already working to lose weight through diet and exercise but are not seeing the results they want,” Arnold said in an email.

More details: Zerona is an FDA-approved non-invasive treatment to reduce stubborn fat deposits without pain, according to the Austin Body Contouring website. 

Check out the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Sept. 22-Sept 26.

1. Plans to transform Austin’s iconic Sixth Street take shape with three design options

2. Check out these 20 new nonstop destinations from Austin’s airport

3. Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle announces unexpected end to term

4. Contract approved for Phase 1 of Lake Travis ISD High School No. 2

5. Future of Austin ISD dual language campuses uncertain amid school consolidation process

6. Texas Roadhouse coming to Georgetown

Smokey Mo’s BBQ is marking 25 years of serving authentic Texas barbecue.

The backstory: The restaurant chain was founded in Cedar Park in July 2000 by Morris “Mo” and Lisa Melchor, a married couple who wanted to share their passion for classic Texas barbecue. The popularity of their first store led them to expand, and Smokey Mo’s now has 21 locations throughout Texas. 

What they offer: The restaurant is known for its ribs, brisket, sausages and pork-belly burnt ends, in addition to a wide range of sides from mac and cheese to potato salad. All meats are smoked in-house daily, according to the company’s website.

The Nov. 4 election is coming up, and so is the deadline to register to vote. Eligible Texans must register by Oct. 6 to cast votes in various local races and weigh in on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.

What to know: Texans who need to register to vote must submit a paper application. The application is available here and must be printed, signed and mailed to the election office in the voter’s county of residence.

Texas does not allow online voter registration, unless residents are updating, renewing or replacing a Texas driver’s license or ID card.

Zooming in: To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Reside in the county they apply to vote in
• Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
• Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court