by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@myjarrell.com
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"76537 Life" is Q&A that is all about municipal details and information that will, over time, add to our knowledge base and help readers understand the differences living in various locations in Economic Jarrell. We will address things readers may like to know about the variables within.
Civics 101: What is on my ballot? YOUR LOCAL VOTE COUNTS MORE
Those who live in Sonterra pay taxes to the MUD District and have the opportunity to vote for individuals who set that tax rate and spend that revenue for the benefit of that local area.
Next month, Jarrell has an opportunity to go to the polls again. Nationally, when there are no Presidential candidates, voter turnout is low. But, by percentage, residents have a lot better chance of making a difference on the City Council dais than they do in Washington DC. Consider how much the President of the United States affects your life on any given day? The Governor? Senators and Representatives? Daily...they really don’t. But there are also people who fix the potholes, build the stores, determine what your children will learn, and decide how your taxes are going to be spent. Those are the candidates who win and lose local elections, in off-cycle years, most often by less than 100 votes. Citizens need to be aware, or remember, that it is the off-cycle, small elections that most directly and frequently affect their families and wallets; i.e., City Councils, School Boards, and Commissioners Courts determine the tax rates paid every year. Being involved and voting locally means finding out about planned projects and programs before they hit social media and it's too late to change the course of action. Ponder this... do you prefer leaders to build for more retail and restaurants or to build more parks? That's a Council action that may actually change when or how often you go out or spend money in Jarrell.
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Fortunately, you can read about candidates 24 hours a day on the Internet, and even see a photo of them so you know what they look like.
Everyone in the 76537 zip code pays the largest portion of their property taxes to the Jarrell ISD because all children attend school in this district. As such, all residents are eligible to vote for School Board Trustee positions.
JARRELL SCHOOL BOARD
If you are a parent, and your kids go to school here, school board elections have a lot to do with the kinds of courses your kids can take, or the type of preparation and opportunities they will have for life beyond the 12th grade. That doesn't just hit close to home, that is home.
• Elected position with 3-year term limits; • Meetings once a month; special meetings as needed; • Candidate Place eligibility is based on residence;
WHICH OFFICES ARE ON MY BALLOT?
• Elected position with 4-year terms; • Meetings once a month and special meetings throughout the year; • Seats are at large; candidate must live within the Sonterra MUD;
Many people ask, 'Why are some people on my ballot and not others?' The answer is based on geography and ad valorem taxes. Everyone in 76537 lives in Williamson County and pays property taxes to that entity to provide roads, services, and programs. Those who live in the Jarrell city limits pay taxes to the city and receive services from that municipal body. Therefore, they have a say in how those taxes are collected and spent when they vote for City Council and Mayor.
ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 2 O C TO B E R 2 021 M Y JA R R ELL M O NT HLY
SONTERRA MUD BOARD
JARRELL CITY COUNCIL • Elected position with 2-year term limits; • Meetings once a month and special meetings when needed • Seats are at large; candidate must live within the Jarrell city limits.
