Williamson County's Upcoming Bond Election: What You Need to Know

by Ann Marie Kennon

The Citizens Bond Committee of Williamson County, chaired by Georgetown’s David Hays, was formed to assess the necessity of a bond election aimed at enhancing roadways and park facilities. The committee held six public meetings across the county seeking input from a dozen cities in the county, municipal utility districts, county staff, the YMCA, and other partners. David reported all six meetings were well attended and there was no opposition to the committee’s proposals.

The committee advised holding an election for road projects valued at approximately $1.68 billion and park projects totaling slightly more than $78.9 million (facing page). After reviewing, the Commissioners Court proposed last month that residents should be given the opportunity to vote to issue the bonds. Committee members narrowed down the project list, allocating $825 million for roads and $59 million for parks projects, all of which share a focus on safety and mobility. There are 38 road projects named in the order, ranging from right-of-way acquisitions to design to full construction in all four precincts.

“The cost of projects in urban areas like Georgetown and Cedar Park has escalated considerably due to increased traffic, and the number of projects exceeding $100M caught my attention," David said. Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long added, "As Williamson County’s tremendous growth continues, traffic challenges increase. Failing to enhance our roadway infrastructure to meet the demands created by additional residences and vehicles will reduce mobility and impact families' safety and commuting time to schools, activities, work and appointments."

David noted this vote represents a better financial balance than the previous county transportation bond as the cost of materials has begun to come down following the supply chain challenges we experienced during the pandemic.

Municipal Viewpoints

Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan emphasized the collaborative efforts Williamson County and its cities have made towards enhancing mobility. He pointed out, "We are fortunate because, unlike Travis County, which only offers two entry and exit points, Williamson County has excelled in fostering connectivity across the county." Consequently, he said, many individuals choose to and are able to live, work, and play in their respective cities. "This bond is pivotal for our businesses, residents, and visitors. Growth is inevitable, and denial only results in playing catch-up later. Thankfully, we're already a step ahead."

Commissioner Long is similarly pleased that the proposed Liberty Hill bypass, pending approval, will offer a convenient alternative for local eastbound commuters. This will allow travelers to head south on Bagdad Road without passing through the downtown area. Funding for the initial phase of this bypass was sanctioned by voters as part of the 2019 bond program.

Speaking on the broader scope of projects, Commissioner Long stated, "Williamson County is among the fastest-expanding counties in the nation. The Williamson County Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), established in 2009, is instrumental in managing this growth. It ensures enhanced connectivity and mobility across the county by synchronizing public insights and inter-county planning. The constantly updated LRTP is pivotal for the county to stay abreast of its substantial growth. When the bypass is complete, Liberty Hill will have a secure alternate route circumventing the highly congested zones in the area."

The route for the bypass was integrated into the county’s LRTP in 2009, after thorough public consultation. Several potential routes were proposed and assessed based on numerous criteria such as their impact on residences, commercial establishments, water resources, and the environment. The chosen route maximizes safety and traffic throughput while minimizing adverse effects on homes, businesses, and the environment.

The commissioner added, "If the Williamson County Road Bond proposal passes in November, engineering will begin on the two remaining phases of the bypass. Construction on future phases would add a lane in each direction and turn lanes where appropriate. The construction of more lanes will not begin until growth determines the need for additional capacity to address safety and mobility."

She added that the impact to local travel and businesses should be minimal as the bypass is a new road. The project will be advertised for bid by the end of 2023 and is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.

Park Projects

The Parks bond package includes 14 projects totaling $59 million for a mixture of projects related to:

Future parkland acquisition —location(s) TBD

Facility development projects associated with Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Williamson County Expo Center & Twin Lakes Park (YMCA)

Several shared use path projects

Tax Impact

David said, “The dollars the county issues are all leveraged with city and state money so everyone is contributing to the roads in each area that’s how it should be."

If approved by the voters, Williamson County estimates the two bond propositions will not result in an increase in the county’s current debt service tax rate of $.1339 per $100 of valuation.

Mark Your Calendars

Voter Registration Deadline: Oct. 10 • Mail Ballot Applic. Deadline: Oct. 27

Early Voting: Oct. 23 to Nov. 3 • Election Day: Nov. 7