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Williamson County Voters OK Transportation, Parks Spending

Last week, Forbes magazine ranked Williamson County America’s fastest-growing county. Although Williamson County’s 7.94 percent growth rate has had positive impacts on its economy, the boom has put a strain on existing infrastructure.

Yesterday, Williamson County voters responded by approving two bond packages aimed at helping county infrastructure keep up with growth. The two propositions:

  • Prop 1, adding $275 million to the county’s budget for road improvements and construction, passed with 64 percent of the vote.
  • Prop 2, earmarking $40 million to upgrade the county’s park system, passed with nearly 55 percent.

Road projects will be spread throughout the county, and include adding lanes to several major thoroughfares. Money in the parks package will go toward developing the county’s regional trail system. County parks director Randy Bell told KUT that the approved parks funding will also be used to open county holdings, like 1,000 acre River Ranch County Park near Liberty Hill.

A county spokesperson says property tax rates are unaffected by the $315 million in spending. Instead, the expanding tax base brought on by the county’s rapid growth will cover the spending.