On Nov. 6, Austin voters will vote on seven ballot propositions that would fund local and citywide improvements.

If approved, voters would authorize the city to issue about $385 million in general obligation bonds that would be repaid over time using property taxes through the city's debt service portion of the tax rate, Capital Planning Officer Mike Trimble said.

"We did a financial analysis and determined that we could issue a $385 million bond without having to increase the debt service portion of the tax rate," he said.

Despite geography playing a factor in how projects were selected for the bond package, few projects are solely in Northwest Austin, with many located in and near downtown.

"There was a lot of discussion of geographic distribution during the task force meetings [and council discussion]," Trimble said.

He said about half of the projects are citywide and will affect multiple areas. Citywide projects include bikeways, sidewalks, recreation facilities and housing affordability.

Projects that would affect Northwest Austin include:

• $15 million for improving the roadway, sidewalks, curbs and crosswalks on Burnet Road and North Lamar Boulevard,
• $15 million for improvements to I-35,
• $5.8 million for the design and land acquisition of the North West police substation that would eliminate overcrowding at the North substation, 12425 Lamplight Village Ave.,
• $3 million for improving connectivity from arterial roads to MoPac and possible bike access, and
• $1 million for renovations at the Milwood Branch Library, 12500 Amherst Drive, including replacing a worn floor, furniture and equipment.

Initially, Trimble said the Burnet and Lamar improvements were separate projects, but staff looked at how to consolidate planning needs among various departments.

"There was a lot of conversation about transportation and connectivity," he said. "How do these things work together?"

The task force met from December 2011 to May 2012, Trimble said. Staff presented the task force with a $1.5 billion needs assessment that listed all project needs.

In determining which projects would make the bond package, Trimble said several factors were considered, including if projects could be implemented in four to five years and the city's comprehensive plan.

"Some of the things we heard from council in their conversation was the fact that we had Imagine Austin coming, and we wanted to look at that and wanted to see what our existing needs were, but then also see how that fits into the vision of Imagine Austin," he said.

Trimble said the bond package contains language such as "may include" or "not limited to" to provide the city with flexibility in funding projects. He said the city plans to make the improvements listed in the bond package.

"The flexibility comes in if the city is unable to move forward with a project," he said. "We do have the ability to spend the [bond] money on a similar project."

For projects that did not make the bond package, Trimble said city staff will review its funding options outside of the general obligation bond program. He said staff will continue to flesh out details of the projects and refresh which projects have priority.

Task force Chairman Frank Fernandez said it was difficult for the task force to whittle down $1.5 billion in identified needs to what became the final $385 million package.

"The finished result does not address all needs, but it definitely makes improvements," he said. "The propositions are a good, diverse mix of transportation, facilities, parks and housing. I'm happy with the propositions on the ballot. They will make a significant impact on helping Austin remain viable and affordable."

Additional reporting by Joe Olivieri.