Ballots from the Nov. 5 general election have been canvassed, and Fort Bend County announced official results Nov. 14.

The county's $184.9 million mobility bond was approved by voters by 71.39 percent, receiving 21,284 of 29,815 votes. About 8.68 percent of the county's 343,398 registered voters cast their ballots in the election.

"We had a very good turn-out," said John Oldham, elections administrator with Fort Bend County. [The turnout] was better than usual in an off-year election."

Sugar Land residents approved propositions 2 and 3 of the city's parks bond by 53.32 percent and 52.35 percent of the votes, respectively. About 13.35 percent of the city's 51,292 registered voters participated in the election.

Fort Bend County mobility bond

Now that the mobility bond is passed, Fort Bend County is poised to begin construction on several major road projects in the next two years, said County Judge Bob Hebert.

"All of this money is earmarked for road improvements throughout Fort Bend County," he said. "I think it is vital that we continue to build on our infrastructure to meet the transportation demands of all Fort Bend County residents in addition to the 25,000 to 35,000 new residents that are moving here each year."

The bond outlines 62 projects throughout Fort Bend County and money is split up between the county's four precincts. Precinct 1 will receive $53.4 million; Precinct 2, $47.5 million; Precinct 3, $58 million; and Precinct 4, $26 million.

"Obviously we wanted [the bond] to pass, but it is pleasing to see that it passed by more than 70 percent," Precinct 4 Commissioner James Patterson said. "From a commissioner's standpoint, this tells us the community sees things the same way we do."

Patterson said that since Sugar Land is closer to build-out than other areas in the county, his precinct required fewer dollars than the other three precincts.

The mobility bond does not call for a tax rate increase, and it is structured so that the county will pay 50 percent of the construction costs of the joint projects with cities, including Sugar Land and Missouri City.

Sugar Land parks bond

The approved Sugar Land parks projectswhich include the second phase of the Brazos River Park project along with a 33-acre festival site and the implementation of a network of about 10 miles of trailstotal about $31.46 million and have the potential to raise property taxes up to $0.05 per $100 of valuation over the next five years.

"The vote reaffirms that residents believe the approved projects are important to Sugar Land's quality of life and economic prosperity," said Mayor James Thompson. "It is our intent to keep the tax rate as low as possible while maintaining the quality of service and amenities that our residents expect."

City officials said a tax rate increase will only occur if revenues from property taxes are not able to completely offset the costs associated with the bond. The city's revenues from property taxes have grown by an average of 4 percent per year for the last three years.

"The city's sound fiscal management has resulted in a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor's and Fitch, allowing us to finance these projects at competitive rates," City Manager Allen Bogard said.

If a tax rate increase is necessary, the rate will increase by no more than $0.01 per $100 of valuation each year beginning in 2015 until the full $0.05 increase is reached, or until the bond projects are fully funded.

Voters did not pass the $18.54 million Proposition 1, which received only about 49 percent of the votes. The proposition would have implemented a 65-acre mixed-use park at Chatham and Easton avenues in Sugar Land.

Bogard said that the city is now working on an implementation strategy for the approved projects.

"We respect the voters' decisions and will be working with City Council to achieve those goals and identify a funding and implementation schedule for the approved projects," he said.