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Although Georgetown ISD trustees passed a balanced budget for the upcoming school year, it doesn’t include raises for employees. Now, the district has asked voters to approve a higher tax rate that would fund $8.4 million in pay raises.

“There are no other discussions regarding the $8.4 million other than making pay for every employee of Georgetown very competitive compared to our surrounding school districts,” GISD Superintendent Devin Padavil said. “We just fundamentally believe the most important thing to do for a child is have an effective teacher in every classroom.”

The overview: The GISD board of trustees unanimously voted Aug. 17 to call for a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. District officials are asking voters to increase the overall tax rate from $1.0506 to $1.1106 per $100 valuation, which would amount to about $7.97 more in property taxes annually for the median homeowner with a homestead exemption.

The VATRE will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot as Georgetown Independent School District Proposition A.

Two candidates, including incumbent Steve Snell, are running for the Williamson County judge position this November.

The details: Early voting for the Nov. 3 election runs from Oct. 19-30. 

Read Q&As with each candidate below. Community Impact reached out to all candidates who will appear on the Williamson County judge ballot. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents.

* indicates incumbent

City and county officials, community members, and representatives from Ascension gathered Aug. 21 to celebrate the opening of an expansion to the health care system’s Williamson County hospital.

About the project: Ascension first broke ground on the project in September 2024, and the patient tower took just under two years to build.

The 216,000 square-foot, six-story tower will allow staff to take on the increased demand for care, hospital President Andrew Gnann said.

The expanded tower added 96 additional beds to the hospital, and has capacity for up to 160 beds. This would bring the total number of beds at the hospital to 341.

The tower, which opens Sept. 1, also has:

• Two new operating rooms

• An additional MRI

• A new catheterization lab

• A new observation unit

• An expanded emergency room

What they’re saying: Speakers highlighted the history of the hospital, which is built on land donated by the Avery and Nelson families and largely funded by local philanthropy.

Check out these trending stories from the Austin area Aug. 17-20. 

1. The Farm Fresh Network brings locally grown food to Texas schools

2. Hutto, Williamson County poised for $674M Blue Origin facility

3. Eagles Nest Street extension moves forward in Round Rock

4. 4 changes Bastrop drivers should know near Sendero, Burleson Crossing

5. Local Georgetown bakery celebrates 5-year anniversary

6. New Braunfels ISD receives 'B' rating from TEA for the 2025-26 school year