A coalition of Travis County bond supporters, Travis Forward, kicked off the 2017 bond campaign with a press conference Thursday morning at Richard Moya Park in Southeast Austin.
The county's citizens bond advisory committee, a 15-member court-appointed group, put together the bond package approved by commissioners Aug. 8. The bond election was called Aug. 15 and will appear on a November ballot.
The 2017 bond package includes two propositions totaling $184.9 million:
- Proposition A is a $93.4 million package for roadway safety and capacity improvements across all four precincts. Improvements include adding bike lanes and addressing low water crossings.
- Proposition B is a $91.5 million package for park improvements in all four precincts. If approved, the bond calls for improvements to greenway spaces, sports fields and conservation easements.
"This is only a small investment compared to what is going on between all the [local] entities,” said John Langmore, vice chair of the citizen bond advisory committee. “This bond is important because only Travis County can make these investments.”
Del Valle ISD Superintendent Kelly Crook said the district supports the bond and its effort to improve roadway safety. Improvements to Elroy Road and the Harold Green Road extension were important in helping Del Valle ISD ensure safety and efficiency for students getting to and from school. However, Crook said the whole package is important in ensuring roadway safety across the county.
“We support the road safety improvements specific to Precincts 1 and 4 because our students travel those roads each and every day,” Crook said. “But what people should be thinking about when they are voting for this bond is that all school children travel on all the roads each and every day.”
County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, former County Judge Sam Biscoe and Commissioner Margaret Gomez also spoke at Thursday’s event showing their support for the bond.
“We humbly ask for your support in moving Travis County forward,” Eckhardt said. “Our goal is to provide a mobile, green and healthy community for all Travis County residents.”
Early voting will begin Oct. 23 and close Nov. 3. Election Day is Nov. 7.
