New Braunfels 2023 bond projects move closer to starting

The New Braunfels City Council will hold a workshop Dev. 5 at 6 p.m. in council chambers to review recommendations from the bond advisory committee as well as listen to public feedback on projects being considered for the 2023 bond.

In December 2021 the City Council appointed a 24-member bond advisory committee, which then recommended 37 projects to undergo preliminary design and look into cost estimates for the projects.

This July and August the advisory committee gave residents of New Braunfels a chance to give feedback on the proposed projects and give their opinions on which projects should move forward. In October the advisory committee took the public feedback into consideration and sent 20 project recommendations to the council, which would total $183.5 million.

Garry Ford, transportation and capital improvements director, said the city will begin the decision process of what projects to pursue.

“The expected capacity for a bond election that does not impact the tax rate is approximately $140 million, so New Braunfels City Council will be looking at the list of recommended projects and deciding which ones will move forward to a vote,” Ford said.

Ford also said projects that are not selected for the ballot will remain on the city's capital improvement plan for potential future development with other funding sources.