What residents need to know
At a June 18 meeting, Sugar Land staff presented a potential $350 million bond package for proposed capital projects to be funded over the next five to seven years. The bond will account for $300 million worth of projects in 2024 with an additional $50 million calculated for inflation, according to a June 21 news release.
If approved by voters, the projects will be funded by a potential tax increase of no more than $0.05, which is an estimated monthly cost to the average resident of less than $5 per month or approximately $20 per month by 2030, according to the release.
Prior city bonds were approved in 1999, 2013 and 2019. Of the 2019 projects, 35% are complete with an additional 55% in construction or under design, according to the presentation.
Zooming in
The proposed projects were identified through public feedback, including the 2023 Citizen Satisfaction Survey, community meetings, master plans and City Council suggestions, according to the city’s website.
Highlighted potential projects include:
- Public safety: renovation of police department/court building and new police headquarters; fire station rebuild/expansion; and Public Safety Training Facility Phase 3
- Streets, sidewalks and mobility: major street rehabilitation in various locations; sidewalks program; and trail connection improvements
- Drainage: Hillstone, Windmill and Austin Parkway West drainage improvements
- Municipal facilities: public services building rehabilitation and modernization; and new field maintenance facility
- Animal shelter: supplemental funding for cost increase
Get involved
Ahead of the election, Sugar Land officials will provide education and engagement opportunities at community meetings, homeowner associations and other special events, though exact dates have not yet been determined, according to the release.
Residents are also invited to complete online feedback forms here.
What they’re saying
"This workshop was a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to respond to our residents. We are committed to being responsive to our community as evidenced by the extensive work we've done to complete drainage, mobility and parks projects approved by voters in 2019 and 2013," Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman said in the release. "This election will give our residents the choice to consider future projects that we've been told are important."
Looking ahead
The bond propositions and costs are expected to be completed at a future City Council meeting when formal action to call the bond for the November election will be taken, according to the release.
The city has until Aug. 19 to call the bond election, according to the Texas Secretary of State website. The November uniform election will be held on Nov. 5 with early voting running from Oct. 21-Nov. 1.
