Leander City Council passed an ordinance Feb. 18 calling for a May 7 bond election with propositions totaling $70,927,644.

Bond package projects include improvements to transportation and parks as well as construction of a new senior center on city-owned property. A separate proposition calls for a recreation center, such as a YMCA.

“This was all done with the anticipation [of] no tax increase,” Mayor Chris Fielder said. “That was one of our council criteria going forward.”

City Manager Kent Cagle said the city plans to pay for the increased debt with “new growth in the tax base.”

He cited new homes and businesses in the area and said increasing sales tax will help with the increased debt, which will be issued throughout seven years to help “minimize the impact on the tax rate and give the tax base more opportunity to grow.”