GEORGETOWN – Williamson County Judge Steven Snell has lifted a burn ban after the National Weather Service reported 2 to 3 inches of rain saturated the area during a 10-day period.
The decision was announced during the Tuesday morning Commissioners Court meeting and became effective immediately.
“We've got a little rain, and we're thankful for that, and the drought index rating has actually dropped in half,” Snell said upon announcing the ban was being lifted. “Please use extreme caution if burning any materials around your home. Even though the ground is damp, we still have a lot of fuel on the ground.”
Officials said the Keech-Byram Drought Index pegs Williamson County at 268 on a scale of zero to 800, with 800 being the worst.
The Wilco rating means plenty of moisture for the soil, which dampens natural fuels that feed a wildfire.
Also during the meeting, commissioners observed the continuing ties between South Korea and the region, which has seen an influx of Asian high-tech firms; considered fees from landfill receipts for student funding; and made note of two monthly observances.
Korean official celebrates language milestone
William Kil, vice president of the Foundation for Korean Language and Culture in the USA, told County Commissioners Oct. 9 represents the 580th anniversary of the creation of Hangeul, the Korean writing system created by King Sejong the Great, and the 119th anniversary of the official establishment of Hangeul Day by South Korea.
Kil said U.S. cultural and economic ties to Korea are the strongest they’ve ever been, largely thanks to the Samsung Austin Semiconductor facility in Taylor and its network of supply-chain partners.
“Just this semester Taylor High School, with the assistance and support from our foundation, successfully launched its very first credit-bearing Korean language course, signing up some 30 non-Korean-heritage students,” Kil said.
Landfill fees fund Hutto students
The Hutto Education Foundation made a request of $250,000 to commissioners for a portion of the revenue generated through the county’s waste management fees collected from the landfill in Hutto.
The request, which the foundation makes on a annual basis, will be discussed at a future meeting.
HEF works with the Hutto Independent School District to support students and educators through three grant programs and two scholarship programs. The scholarship initiatives assist graduating seniors with higher education or technical college tuition, and students can reapply for the scholarships every year they are in school, including through their master’s degree programs.
HEF Director Claudia Cardwell told commissioners the group’s contributions to students and educators totaled more than $2 million as of December 2025.
“For our district last year, we awarded $72,000 to students (in scholarships). $42,000 of that went to 20 Hutto ISD graduating seniors. $30,000 of that went to 18 returning recipients,” Cardwell said. “We love supporting our students through their entire academic career.”
Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National 4-H Week
Commissioners during their meeting also made note of two observances.
With October being National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, commissioners commended the work done by law enforcement agencies, county and district attorney offices and the nonprofit Hope Alliance.
The alliance works with city and police agencies and victim service units to provide counseling and advocacy for victims of domestic violence across Williamson County.
Officials said in 2025, Hope Alliance sheltered 567 people, providing 9,270 nights of safety for those at risk. The group also answered 5,166 hotline calls and provided in-person support for 2,527 people.
In addition, Oct. 4-10 was named National 4-H Week in Wilco. Student members of Williamson County 4-H clubs appeared before the Commissioners Court to talk about how 4-H participation has benefited them.
4-H is a youth development program, which is part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, a division of the Texas A&M University System.
Shelley Franklin, a Williamson County extension agent, said the Wilco program is the fifth largest statewide. There are 13 clubs in the county, open to students from third to 12th grade.
A “Youth Ag” day is set for the Williamson County Fair and Rodeo at the Williamson County Expo Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail in Taylor. The event starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 23 with more than 500 area fourth graders already signed up to learn about agriculture.
The next commissioners court is 9:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at 1848 Texas Trail. The session can also be streamed at https://www.wilcotx.gov/331/Commissioners-Court.
