November 2013 Election coverage—Williamson County bonds

Williamson County bonds (includes Round Rock and Hutto voters)

On Aug. 20, the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved calling an election for two bond proposals relating to road and park improvements.

The first proposition, which the commissioners approved unanimously, includes $275 million for county road improvements. The second proposition specifies $40 million for county parks projects.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Lisa Birkman and Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey—whose respective precincts include sections of Round Rock—voted against the second proposition because they wanted a proposed Taylor event center separated into a third proposition.

The total bond proposition price tag of $315 million represents a $31 million reduction from the proposal put forward by the bond advisory committee in July. The approval of the bonds will not result in an increase in the county's debt service tax rate, according to County Auditor David Flores.

The last county bond election was held in 2006 when county voters approved $228 million in road bonds and $22 million in park bonds.

Proposition 1

The proposal authorizes the county to issue up to $275 million in bonds for road improvement projects. Round Rock–area projects earmarked in the proposal include expansion and/or improvements on North Mays Street, CR 110, Kenney Fort Boulevard, RM 620 and University Boulevard. Hutto-area projects include improvements to CR 119 and the SH 130 frontage road.

Proposition 2

The proposal authorizes the county to issue up to $40 million in bonds for park and recreational facility improvements. Up to $10 million of the proposal is earmarked for a new events center in Taylor. The only local project specified is the extension of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail to connect with Round Rock.