Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles fields questions from constituents at a May 14 Citizens Bond Committee meeting.
Williamson County Precinct 4 residents demanded answers during a Citizens Bond Committee meeting May 14.
Members of the Williamson County bond committee gathered at the Williamson County Expo Center in Precinct 4 to hear proposals on potential parks and road projects, but the evening was dominated by residents questioning Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles and Senior Director of Infrastructure Bob Daigh on the need for more infrastructure.
Precinct 4 is a predominantly agricultural portion of the county. Many residents raised concerns about property rights and how economic development and new infrastructure increases flooding, which affects their businesses.
“You’re asking us to make room for people who aren’t even here yet,” said Wynette Norman of Norman’s Crossing.
Most residents were angered at the county’s breakdown in communication and lack of transparency as to what road projects will be completed and how they will affect local landowners. Some said they have hit brick walls every time they tried to contact a county or city official and ask for infrastructure plans.
Some residents were particularly concerned with a southeast corridor project that would connect SH 130 to Hwy. 79.
Boles, who fielded questions for more than an hour, said he is not for building roads before they are needed. He said he has never been in favor of the Southeast Corridor project but that not planning for growth would be irresponsible.
“Do I think we need roads, need a plan? I do.” Boles said. “But I am not for roads before we need them, and we can’t afford them.”
The bond committee was formed in March. Each of the four commissioners appointed two people to the committee while a chair was appointed by the county judge. The committee is holding meetings in each precinct where cities, school districts and municipal utility districts make their cases for desired infrastructure projects.
The committee will decide by July whether to recommend a bond election to the commissioners court and which projects should be included. The court will decide whether to call a bond election.
Daigh said the county has received $2.7 billion in requested projects county-wide. It will be up to the committee to decide which projects should be included, he said.
The committee will hold its Precinct 1 meeting at 5:30 p.m. May 21 at the J.B. and Hallie Jester Williamson County Annex, 1801 E. Old Settlers, Round Rock.
The Precinct 4 recommended projects are:
Requested projects from the City of Taylor
CR 336 from Chandler Road to Carlos Parker Boulevard
