County commissioners unanimously approved placing five propositions on the ballot during an Aug. 14 meeting.
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.
The details
Proposition A includes $261.86 million for justice facility projects, such as:
- The completion of the Adult Detention Center infirmary expansion and renovation project along with the jail kitchen
- Russel A. Steindam Courts Building expansion to add 12 courtrooms and office suites as well as a 400-plus-vehicle garage
- Juvenile justice construction of an additional housing cluster as well as the relocation and expansion of the Plano Juvenile Probation Office
Proposition B includes $5.7 million for the county’s animal shelter.
Renovations would include the 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 includes $13.36 million for a medical examiner’s office. The project would include the 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 matched basis for the 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
Several Collin County residents spoke during the Aug. 14 meeting’s public comment in support of the bond, specifically the proposition for animal shelter funds.
The backstory
A planning board prepared the bond propositions, which were presented to commissioners Aug. 7.
Collin County last called a bond election in 2018, which was approved. The $750 million bond package funded the construction and expansion of high-speed roadways and arterial roads along with open space and park projects.
Discussions regarding a Nov. 7 bond date back to February, when commissioners voted to move forward with bond discussions.
Looking ahead
Collin County residents will see the bond on the Nov. 7 ballot. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 10. Early voting will start Oct. 23.