With the May uniform election on the horizon, Fulshear City Council members expressed interest in a roughly $13 million parks bond.

What residents need to know

At a Jan. 28 meeting, City Council instructed city staff to prepare an ordinance to call for a general obligation bond to support two parks projects: Phase 3 of Primrose Park and funding to acquire park land.

If approved by voters, the projects would be funded by a potential tax increase of no more than $0.01869 per $100 property valuation, which is an expected $74.76 annual increase for a $400,000 home, Assistant City Manager Kelsee Lee Jordan said.

A closer look

According to agenda documents, the bond will prioritize the following two projects if City Council approves the proposal:

• Primrose Park Phase 3 ($10.63 million): funding to construct Phase 3, which will feature an amphitheater, additional parking, walking trails, an outdoor education pavilion, playground, food truck court, additional detention, restrooms, scoreboards and a maintenance building
• Parks and facilities land acquisition ($2.5 million): funding for land acquisition for future city parks, sports complexes and facilities

Primrose Park, located at 7603 Patterson Road, features walking trails and parking with a second phase set to break ground Feb. 6. The $5.5 million second phase will include four youth baseball fields, restrooms and concessions and is expected to be substantially completed by October, city officials said.

What they’re saying

Although city staff recommended a November election, council member Jason Knape said it was vital to move forward with funding parks projects to show residents that council and city staff are dedicated to completing the projects.

“[We] need to continue to execute on what we’re doing when it comes to parks and [recreation],” he said. “Hopefully, as we continue to execute ... on these projects, the citizens actually see we are responsible with their funds and we’re also doing it in a timely manner.”

Council member Kent Pool said he encouraged the city to move forward now with possible changes to bond procedures with the ongoing 89th legislative session, including House Bill 1519 proposed by state Rep. Mike Schofield, R-Katy, which would require all bond elections to be held during November uniform elections.

Remember this?

Council previously considered a parks bond for last May and November, although they ultimately decided the city wasn’t ready to consider a parks bond, Community Impact reported.

What’s next?

City Council must call for the bond election between Feb. 3-14, according to agenda documents. Council is expected to meet in a special meeting Feb. 4 to vote on adding the bond to the ballot, Jordan said.

The uniform election will be held May 3, with early voting running April 21-29.