Shavano Park voters approve $10 million road improvement bond

Voters in Shavano Park overwhelmingly approved the city’s $10 million proposal to repair numerous older roads and cul-de-sacs May 7. The bond passed with 81% of the vote.

City officials said they plan to use bond proceeds in the initial phases of a long-term city street repair plan that include complete reconstruction of Bent Oak Drive, Chimney Rock Lane, Cliffside Drive, End Gate, Fawn Drive, Saddletree Road, Shavano Drive, Wagon Trail Road and Windmill Road.

The city also plans to repave the Post Oak Way entrance from Lockhill-Selma Road and complete reconstruction of the cul-de-sacs on Elm Spring Lane, Honey Bee Lane, Hunters Branch and Turkey Creek Road.

Additionally, the city seeks to use the newly approved bond to leverage federal funds toward repaving its part of DeZavala Road and improving it with sidewalks, bicycle lanes and drainage upgrades.

Local leaders said financing a voter-approved street program could include a mix of a $0.01 hike in the debt service portion of the city’s total property tax rate, $1.3 million in available road maintenance funding and money from projected street maintenance sales tax revenue in coming years.

Mayor Bob Werner said all homeowners age 65 and over will see no property tax rate increase thanks to their local taxes being frozen. A homeowner under age 65 with an average home value of $775,000 may see an annual $78 tax increase.