The bond proposal comes from a planning board, which made the recommendation to the commissioners Aug. 7.
The planning board members said they don’t think the $683 million is enough, Board Chair Rusty Glover said during the Aug. 7 meeting.
“We really do feel like that we’re kind of behind a little bit on where the growth is, especially in roadway infrastructure,” he said.
The details
The bond includes five measures with the largest at $380 million dedicated to roads and county transportation projects. The county animal shelter and detention center are among other items up for improvements.
Proposition A includes $261.86 million for justice facility projects, such as:
- Completion of the Adult Detention Center infirmary expansion and renovation project and the jail kitchen
- Russel A. Steindam Courts Building expanding to add 12 courtrooms and office suites and a 400-plus vehicle garage
- Juvenile justice construction of an additional housing cluster, and the move and expansion of the Plano Juvenile Probation Office
Proposition B includes $5.7 million for the county’s animal shelter. Renovations would include construction of a one-story, 10,000-square-foot addition attached to the north side of the existing animal shelter building. This addition would include:
- Four kennel runs
- A cat quarantine room and sick bay
- A clinic room with two surgery bays
- Office and storage areas
- Education and meeting rooms
Proposition C is $13.36 million for a medical examiner’s office. The project would include construction of a one-story, 20,000-square-foot facility. The building would include:
- Family meeting rooms
- Administration and shared office area
- Autopsy complex
- Address: 2300 Bloomdale Road, McKinney
Proposition D encompasses $22.45 million for parks and open spaces throughout the county. The bond could:
- Provide $20 million in funding to cities and other organizations on a match basis for development of parks and open space
- Use $2.45 million for selected construction and renovation at the Myers Park and Event Center
- Rebuilding county roads that are projected to be overloaded
- Development of regional corridor roadways
- Development of the Outer Loop
- Additional funding for US 380
- Regular contribution to Texas Department of Transportation projects
- City thoroughfare improvements
The backstory
Collin County last called a bond election in 2018, which was approved. The $750 million bond package funded construction and expansion of high-speed roadways, arterial roads, and open space and park projects.
Discussions regarding a potential Nov. 7 bond dates back to February when commissioners voted to move forward with bond discussions.
Looking ahead
The commissioners will meet Aug. 14, and they are slated to discuss the bond. The bond must be placed on the ballot by Aug. 21 if commissioners wish to see it on the Nov. 7 ballot.