Long-time General Manager of Utilities Jim Briggs announced his retirement today. After more than three decades with the City of Georgetown, Briggs will step down at the end of September.
“Jim is a pillar of Georgetown and in the utility profession,” City Manager David Morgan said. “His tremendous contributions to the city organization and our community are greatly appreciated.”
During his career, Georgetown experienced tremendous growth. In 1986, Georgetown had a population of approximately 13,000 people, 6,000 water customers, and 7,000 electric customers. In 2019, Georgetown’s population is estimated to be near 70,000 people, with more than 45,000 water customers and 25,000 electric customers.
“I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow professionally in such a great community and a great career in Georgetown,” Briggs said. “I honestly didn’t think I’d be here more than a couple years when I started.”
“Seeing Georgetown grow from a small, rural community to a thriving, innovative city has been both challenging and rewarding. A long career as a public servant certainly allows you to leave an impression on a community, and for the community to leave an imprint on you.”
Briggs was initially hired to help construct the Lake Water Treatment Plant and manage the first significant utility bond projects for the City. Other notable achievements during his career include negotiating the City’s consolidation with the Chisholm Trail Special Utility District, advocating for Georgetown before the Texas Legislature, securing long-term water supply for Georgetown, including helping secure the Stillhouse-Georgetown raw water pipeline and collaborating with Round Rock to interconnect the water systems for increased reliability.
Throughout his career Jim has served on various utility planning boards, professional organizations, and trade associations. Currently, he is a board member for the state’s regional water planning group and a long-standing member of Texas Public Power Association board of directors.
He was named Citizen of the Year by the Williamson County Sun in 2014, awarded the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Award for Economic Development in 2017, received recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency in 1993 and 1996 for operational excellence, received the Texas Municipal Utility of the Year in 1999, the American Public Power Association National Safety Award in 2000 and the Community Service Award for “A Safe Place” in 2003, and added to TPPA’s Texas State Honor Roll in 2005.
Briggs will continue serving the City through September, with a focus on preparing the 2020 budget, as well as overseeing utility planning.
