Flower Mound Town Council continues discussion on tennis center funding

Flower Mound Town Council agreed to work toward a potential bond election for a tennis center during its Oct. 20 work session.

The council discussed several options for funding the project, but did not yet come to a conclusion. The deadline to get the project on the May ballot is Feb. 17.

“I think we're all moving forward with the idea of funding a tennis center,” Flower Mound Mayor Derek France said. “I think we still need maybe one more meeting or two to figure out how.”

A feasibility study presented to the council in April showed that there was strong support from the community for development of a tennis center, which would be located at Trotter Park. The development is estimated to cost $15.3 million if construction begins in 2024.

The council discussed the use of general obligation bonds, 4B sales tax collections—which can be used for parks, museums, sports facilities and affordable housing— increased tax rates, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones funding and combinations of multiple sources to fund the project.

The use of 4B funds could push back the completion date on several of the town’s current projects.

“I'd like to avoid raising the tax rate, but at the same point, I don't want to cause problems with the projects that we have,” council member Jim Engel said.

The next step will be another work session with more specific funding options presented to the council, according to Town Manager James Childers.