Georgetown Adopts $1.3B FY2026 Budget Lowers Tax Rate Raises Utilities

The City of Georgetown, Texas, has adopted a $1.3 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026, setting the lowest property tax rate in the Austin metro area for cities over 20,000 residents at 35.3 cents per $100 valuation. Despite the lower rate, rising property values will cause the average homeowner's tax bill to increase by about $14 annually. Utility rates will also rise, including a 9% increase for water, 12% for wastewater, 2% for electricity, and 4.5% for solid waste, resulting in higher monthly bills for residents. The budget includes the creation of 70 new city positions—21 of which will be dedicated to police and fire services—and emphasizes investments in infrastructure, public safety, and customer service to support Georgetown's growth. To manage costs, the budget also plans to close the underutilized River Ridge Pool and reduce landscaping maintenance in winter months. Mayor Josh Schroeder highlighted the budget as a balance of careful financial stewardship and strategic investments to maintain the city's quality of life amid growth pressures.