"I am not interested in moving forward with this," Daugherty said. "I feel like [Precinct 3] is getting shut out. I am concerned about not having some sort of flexibility [with spending]. It's something that is important and it should be important to every commissioner."
The bond, which will address road and park improvements throughout the county, will be brought before voters on a Nov. 7 ballot if called for by commissioners by the Aug. 21 state deadline.
RECOMMENDATIONS TIMELINE
- July 18: the Citizen's Bond Advisory Committee recommended the approval of a $144 million bond referendum that would fund projects to address the county’s transportation, park and roadway issues.
- July 25: staff recommended adding $12.9 million to the bond referendum following a cost review analysis. The updated costs made changes to the 19-mile Gilleland Creek Greenway trail in Pflugerville, three bicycle safety projects, curving at South Pleasant Valley Road in Southeast Austin and two bridge replacement projects.
- Aug. 1: county staff suggested an additional $28 million be added to the bond referendum package in order to address eight additional drainage projects and to improve the Northeast Metropolitan Park in Pflugerville.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS
- Commissioners considered three bond packages and funding options:
- Option A: The "basic" package included original recommendations from the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee and was projected at $149.7 million.
- Option B: Included the original recommendation from the committee but also allocated money toward improvements to the Northeast Metropolitan Park. The bond package was estimated at $158 million.
- Option C: Included option B projects plus eight more drainage improvements projects. The bond package was estimated at $185 million.
- Today, 14 residents attended commissioners court to speak about the recommended project list as presented by county staff last week and today. Over half of them spoke out against the expansion of Reimers-Peacock Road for environmental reasons and for reasons related to potential development.
- Commissioners approved $94.9 million in locally funded projects that address roadway safety, bridge safety and drainage improvements but do not require voter approval. The amended total, originally set at $91.4 million, now includes the design and engineering to widen Pearce Lane and raise it out of the floodplain in Del Valle.
"It floods quite a bit and no one can’t get out of there," said Commissioner Margaret Gomez, whose Precinct 4 covers that area. "This road will be part of evacuation plan to help people get out of those areas." - The bond's tax impact would be $24 per year on the average Travis County home with a valuation of $305,173. An additional $12.34 per year will also increase the tax rate to pay for locally funded projects that do not require voter approval.
- Commissioners are scheduled to hold a special voting session Aug. 17 to discuss the implementation process of the project list.
