CITY IMPROVEMENTS
Officials expected to call $274M bond for amenities, public safety
In February, Round Rock officials are expected to call for $274 million in bonds to fund maintenance and expansion projects. Here’s how that breaks down: Bond Breakdown
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
quality-of-life improvements, such as the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex and multiuse trails. City staff and officials have spent months—even years, in some cases— planning the projects for the coming $274 million bond and ensuring they are ready for construction if voters pass it, Bennett said. While many of the previous bonds focused on providing new amenities and buildings to meet the needs of a growing city, the proposed 2023 bond would maintain and expand existing structures. Propositions and exact wording have not been set out, but the city has programmed around $230 million for proposed improvements to city amenities and $44 million for public safety items. Assistant City Manager Brooks Bennett said staff have already been planning for the items in the bond. “All the projects have project managers assigned, and are ready to roll and move forward if approved,” Bennett said. Prioritizing amenities Of the $230 million proposed for amenity improvements, $147 million will go toward amenities in Old Settlers Park and $83 million for improvements to city offerings outside of the park. Amenities pertaining to the park, such as the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, Lakeview Pavilion and the Rock’N River Water Park could see some upgrades if the bond is passed. City proposals also include plans for the first phase of a second recreation center in Old Settlers Park, which would be smaller than the existing Clay Madsen Recreation
Other amenities and infrastructure: $83 million
Old Settlers Park: $147 million
City officials could call one of the largest bonds in Round Rock history in February for the May 6 local election. Under consideration is up to $274 million in funding for projects intended to improve quality of life and enhance public safety. Officials say, if approved, the 2023 bond would bring a monthly $3-$4 tax increase for the median Round Rock homeowner for the first five to seven years of the debt repayment. That cost to taxpayers would eventually build up to $21 per month. However, city leaders maintain the benefits would include additional fire stations and substan- tial upgrades to local parks. “I look at it as a bond for all, for new stuff, and it’s taking care of our existing stuff,” Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan said. “Everybody knows the bond needs to be in the hands of the voters, but I’m in favor of all $274 million.” Bond history In the last 30 years, city of Round Rock voters have approved three major bond packages. In 1996, a $21 million bond funded a new fire station, a library expansion and construction of the Clay Madsen Recreation Center as well as improve- ments to Old Settlers Park, roads and the city’s vehicle maintenance shop. The $89.9 million bond in 2001 funded road projects, the construc- tion of the Allen R. Baca Center for Senior and Community Activities, and the city’s police station. The last bond, approved by voters in 2013, contained $123.6 million for the construction of the city’s new library, the Public Safety Training Center and
Phase 1 new recreation center
Clay Madsen Recreation Center renovation
$60M
Multipurpose complex expansion and tennis courts relocation
$20M
$20M Round Rock Sports Center expansion $15M Lawn at Brushy Creek improvements
$60M
$15M Lakeview Pavilion improvements $12M Rock'N River improvements
$13M Citywide trail improvements Road, lighting and other infrastructure improvements
New public safety facilities: $44 million
$10M
Central fire station relocation and build two new stations
$5M Play for All Abilities Park upgrades
$33M
Public safety training center driving track and classroom expansion
TOTAL: $274 MILLION
$11M
SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
operations rate as well as the debt rate, Morgan said the total tax rate is expected to increase by $0.069 cents. Dave May, who moved to Round Rock from Houston in 2019, said he finds many facets of the city attrac- tive, including the amenities. In addition to using the city’s trail system, he said his two children play sports at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center and frequent Rock’N River. He said his wife also loves the city’s system of hike and bike trails. While he and his family enjoy those amenities, he said he could see good reason to approve ele- ments within the proposed bond, including the $12 million expansion of Rock’N River and the $20 million rec center renovation. Despite that, there are other pos- sible bond propositions May said he would not vote for, including expan- sion of the multipurpose complex, where his son plays flag football. “It’s currently perfect,” May said. “The lighting, the field, the turf, the maintenance—it’s great. It doesn’t need any improvement, and I would hate to see taxes go up in order to improve something that’s already excellent.”
Center and house the parks and recreation department. In addition to improvements at Old Settlers Park, a $20 million expansion of the Round Rock Sports Center, upgrades and additions to citywide trails, and systemwide infrastructure improvements are all expected to be part of the package. The $44 million set aside for public safety improvements includes a proposed high-speed precision-driving track and expan- sion of the Public Safety Training Center classroom, which Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks said is necessary to facilitate ongoing cadet and officer training. “We just had an armed-guard academy there,” Banks said. “We had people from all over the country, and both rooms were full.” Impact to residents Susan Morgan, city of Round Rock chief financial officer, said the city can take on up to $150 million in debt through 2028 before it impacts the city’s debt rate—what might appear to residents as the interest and sinking, or I&S, rate on their tax bill. Between the management and
Tax rate impact The Round Rock City Council is proposing a $274 million bond. If every part of the bond passes, the city portion of a property owner's tax bill will go up by $0.069.
Total tax rate impact
$0.069
Total tax rate increase: Median home valuation in Round Rock: Monthly tax bill increase for the first five to seven years*:
$369K
$3-$4
SOURCE: CITY OF ROUND ROCK/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
*TAX BILL EVENTUALLY INCREASES TO $21 PER MONTH BY END OF 25-YEAR DEBT REPAYMENT PERIOD.
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • FEBRUARY 2023
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