Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
More bonds, higher taxes
A Blog about Collin County Propositions
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically Collin County Propositions as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of Collin County Propositions
I am certain one or more of these will appeal to some people. However, keep in mind more bonds equals more debt equals higher property taxes from the County. Choose wisely when voting.
Blog Summary
Court and Juvenile/adult detention facilities should be, at least, 2 different propositions. I would imagine the court expansion is a majority of this cost. Vote No on Proposition A.
Animal shelter. Better idea is to set up a foster system and/or a volunteer thing with the community for walking the dogs and such. Vote No on Proposition B.
Medical examiner's office. It was built in the 1980's and I'm sure updates are needed. Plus there is available federal funding to help out. Vote Yes on Proposition C.
Parks and open spaces. All very important but not a necessity when inflation is going crazy and people are struggling. Even if you are not, consider that others probably are - and all bonds will create an increase in property taxes. An increase in property taxes hits home owners, businesses (and lots of small ones are struggling), and renters who are allocated some portion of property tax in their rent. Vote No on Proposition D.
Roads and bridges. I am somewhat torn here because I know we need to keep ahead of road issues that are affected by growing population and wear/tear. At the same time, federal funding is slipping away in what appears an unchallenged manner; and the taxpayers of Collin County are being ask to assume higher property taxes after already having contributed to the federal highway fund by paying their federal taxes. My fear is that this passes and the county gets more complacent in not fighting for their part of the federal tax dollars for US highways/roads. Vote No on Proposition E.
More bonds, higher taxes
Published: 2023-10-20
Proposition A - $261,864,179 bonds court, juvenile/adult detention facilities
This is for the completion of the adult detention center infirmary expansion and renovation project. It will also include renovation to the jail kitchen. And the Russel A. Steindam Court building expansion. And adding to the juvenile justice housing cluster. And they are planning on relocating the Plano Juvenile Probation office.
I'm am guessing that the infirmary expansion and update to the kitchen are all absolute necessities. And I'm guessing the additional housing in the juvenile justice is necessary. I could easily see voting in favor of funding for both of these items, but not necessarily for the remaining. I don't know why the Plano Juvenile probation office is not able to remain where it is currently located. Nor why the court building needs to add 12 courtrooms and office suits, as well as a parking garage for 400 plus vehicles. I understand the our judges are being overwhelmed by cases, but the likelihood of the state adding more courts seems remote.
I might be more in favor of portions of this bond proposition but as an overall bond including all of these items, I'm less in favor. $261 MILLION plus is a lot of money and would add substantially to our existing property taxes. I say VOTE NO.
Proposition B - $5,700,000 bonds Animal Shelter
The animal shelter was built in 2006 and has not been expanded since. All of the cities should be providing some support to this shelter. Plano actually has their own animal shelter and still supports the Collin County shelter. Perhaps if other cities had shelters, or if they could set up more fostering, then they would not need the additional space. I totally understand that the shelters are getting full but I also see that they are finding ways of getting pets adopted. And if they could establish some sort of fostering then they would not need $5.7 MILLION in funding. I say vote NO.
Proposition C - $13,360,685 bonds for CC Medical Examiner's office
Partial funding for this project is coming from the nearly $4 million American Rescue Plan Act. This seems like a large sum of money but the Medical examiner's office is was built in the 1980's. And part of the funding is coming from federal funding already allocated. So while the cost seems quite excessive, and I hope they are able to find ways to do what is needed without spending all of the $13 MILLION plus, I am leaning toward a YES on this one.
Proposition D - $22,450,000 bonds for park and open spaces
Some of this funding is specifically going to be used for Prosper pedestrian and bicycle tunnel and trails; and Prosper powerline easement trail; and Celina land purchase.
While I understand that Collin County is only looking to partially fund the projects in Prosper and Celina, I don't believe either of those is a necessary expense. I honestly feel that $22 MILLION in funding is excessive to ask Collin County tax payers to agree to pay. Property taxes are already increasing and this will only add more to that weight. I say vote NO.
Proposition E - $380,000,000 bonds for roads and bridges
Apparently it has been discovered that federal funding which was allocated for U.S. 380 could end up paying for a project outside of North Texas. A TxDOT budget adjustment revealed that $480 million of the $610 million would be used for other highway projects. So instead of Collin County taxpayers benefitting from federal funding, of which their tax dollars were paid into, they are being ask to front the cost of the project through bonds which they will pay for in higher property taxes. And if the original allotment is accurate, then Collin County will still be $100,000,000 short.
While I agree that the US 380 highway project needs to be completed, I do not feel like the Collin County taxpayer should bear the brundt of money being allocated elsewhere. The Federal government is allocating billion in road funding, and I feel that some of those funds should be going to Collin County. As a country we way overspend for almost anything the government does. But I am distressed by the fact that my federal tax dollars will not go toward paying for this road (or any roads within Collin County, at least that $480 million). And as a property tax payer, I, along with every other property owner, business owner, or renter, am going to be expected to pay more than 50% of the cost of the US 380 highway project. This is not a County road, it is a US highway; and more should be funded by federal funding.
I honestly would not feel this way if the federal government were not taking excess funds to dole out to states/counties/municipalities for things that the federal government should not be involved in. If they refunded that money to states without earmarking, and stopped taking it to begin with, then this would be completely different. Instead I feel like Collin County is loosing funding and the taxpayer is expected to not ocmplain about high inflation, high cost of living, and additional taxes.
$380 MILLION would add substantial amounts to taxes over the next 5 years while the bonds are issued, and payments begin on them. Interest rates are going to be higher right now, and it is creating a substantial amount of debt that the County would owe. I'd feel somewhat better about this number if there were language included that as additional residences/businesses were added to the tax rolls, that a set percentage of that additional tax revenue would be dedicated to paying down these bonds so that rates would not have to continue increasing. For this reason I am voting NO. Instead our county needs to start fighting for some of the billions in tax dollars the federal government is already doling out.
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