Plano City Council to give final direction on 2021 bond Jan. 25

Plano City Council is expected to decide Jan. 25 on final projects and propositions for a potential May bond election during the council's preliminary open meeting.

Over the past two months, council has heard project proposals and recommendations from city boards, commissions and staff.

Updated preliminary recommendations were presented to council Jan. 11. A proposed $403.9 million package includes roughly $237 million in street projects, $124 million in parks and recreation improvements, $28 million in public safety facility improvements, $6.2 million in service center improvements, $6 million in municipal facilities improvements and $2.6 million in library facilities improvements. This proposal is $5.4 million less than an option presented Oct. 26.

The high price of the bond is mainly due to Plano’s aging infrastructure, city staff shared last year while preparing the bond.

Also at the Jan. 25 meeting, council members will indicate what order selected propositions will be listed on the ballot for voters as well as whether they will be grouped in any specific way.

In addition to the complete list of projects, city staff also prepared alternate referendums valued at $136 million, $350 million and $375 million. The only package that would have no impact on the tax rate in fiscal year 2024-25 is the $136 million option, according to city staff.

Once final projects and propositions are decided on during the preliminary open meeting Jan. 25, the council is scheduled to adopt a resolution calling for the bond election Feb. 8. If the council does so, early voting would run from April 19-27, and election day would be May 1.