Residents learn bits about bond

Residents learn bits about bond

HUNTER DWORACZYK [email protected]

Williamson County opened its doors for information about proposed bond packages.

The county hosted an informational open house session at the Williamson County Expo Center Thursday, Oct. 5. Attendees were able to speak with officials about the nearly $900 million bond package that will be on the Nov. 7 ballots.

“We need to let people know what we have planned, what’s coming and what we are trying to get done,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles said. “There’s a lot of ways to get the information, but an open house gives us the opportunity to spend time with the public and teach them about what we are trying to get done.”

On the ballot, voters will decide on $825 million for road projects and $59 million for park projects. The ballot will list both figures as individual propositions.

Inside the Expo Center were poster illustrations of each of the 38 proposed road projects. Every poster had a map of the project, a description of the design and construction plans along with the project’s budgeted amount.

Boles said the two projects that impact Taylor residents the most involve improvements to the Southeast Loop and Chandler Road.

“The west side of the county has been more involved in the Long-Range Transportation Plan,” Boles said. “I am glad, and the need is obvious, to continue that plan into the east side. That’s kind of what’s happening now.” The first county road project focuses on segment two of the loop, an $80 million project that focuses on connecting two previous segments and seeks to give drivers another option to get to and from Taylor without facing Hutto traffic.

The Chandler Road project would build an overpass over FM 1660 to reduce traffic at a stoplight.

County residents will have the same opportunity for informational sessions Tuesday, Oct. 10 at Hallie Jester Annex in Round Rock and Thursday, Oct. 19 at the Williamson County Cedar Park Annex in Cedar Park. Both open houses will take place from 5 to 7 p.m.

Connie Odom, the county’s director of communications and media relations, said there were more people at Taylor’s open house than at a similar event in Round Rock a few days prior.

“We’re hoping as the word gets out, we’ll get more people to come,” Odom said. “We hope to at least get them to the website, so they can get information about the bond package there.”

The county estimates that, if approved by voters, the two bond propositions will not result in an increase in the debt service tax rate.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 10. Early voting begins Oct. 23 and ends Nov. 3.