Pearland City Council to decide on calling a drainage bond election for May

The Pearland City Council will continue a discussion Jan. 9 on the scope and funding amount of a possible May 2023 bond package that focuses on improving drainage throughout the city.

The council has not yet officially decided to call the bond. They have until Feb. 13 to call it for a May 6 election.

During previous discussion on Dec. 12, the Citizens Drainage Bond Advisory Committee provided an update to the council with committee Chair Seth Thompson recommending 14 drainage projects totaling $106.17 million. The council also considered non-drainage items to be featured in the bond, such as adjustments to facilities, street projects and park projects.

According to the Jan. 9 agenda, the council’s decision points include choosing whether or not to proceed with the bond election and finalizing the list of included projects.

If the council chooses to move forward, staff will present updated impacts to the city’s debt service fund and finalize the project selection Jan. 23, and the council will present a resolution ordering the bond election on Feb 13.

Should the bond pass on the May 6 ballot, design contracts for the projects would be awarded starting in July and the first sale of bonds would occur in the summer of 2024, according to the agenda.

At the previous meeting, Mayor Kevin Cole and council members expressed a willingness to put the bond before voters.