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Bond Program 2022
What Is on the Ballot
Prop A: Transportation
- $86,600,000
This proposition would provide funding for continued expansion and improvements to City’s roadway infrastructure, bike and pedestrian facilities and traffic signals. Potential projects may include but are not limited to:
- Major intersection upgrade at Whitestone and 183A
- Neighborhood and major road resurfacing
- New bike and pedestrian facilities
- New and widened roadways, turn lanes, traffic signals and technology
Prop B: Parks & Recreation
- $42,200,000
This proposition would provide funding for City parks, trails and open space facilities expansion or improvements, and associated costs. Potential parks and recreation projects may include but are not limited to:
- Lakeline Park Phase 2
- Trails development
- Veterans Pool remodeling and expansion
- Brushy Creek Sports Park athletic field turf improvements
Prop C: Public Safety
- $30,000,000
This proposition, would provide funding that primarily includes the design and construction of a joint training facility for Police, Fire, and Emergency Management and an Emergency Operations Center for emergency management use during disasters and emergencies. This joint facility will be located on land currently owned by the City.
Proposed Projects List
The following list contains some of the projects that could be included in the proposed General Obligation Bond package:
Not limited to but could include:
Whitestone Boulevard at 183A Innovative Intersection Improvements
Construct major intersection improvements to increase vehicular capacity and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
New Hope Drive at 183A Innovative Intersection Improvements Design
Design major intersection improvements to increase vehicular capacity and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. Covers design only, so it is ready to build, as completed design improves opportunities to secure funding from other sources.
Major Roads Resurfacing
Resurface major roads to extend service life, improve safety and mobility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and enhance visual appearance of roadways.
Neighborhood Roads Resurfacing
Resurface streets in neighborhoods to extend service life, improve safety and mobility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and enhance visual appearance of roadways.
Turn Lane Improvements
Install turn lanes at driveways and intersections, allowing turning vehicles to move from main travel lanes and slow down to make turn, which increases safety and improves traffic flow.
Bike & Pedestrian Improvements
Add two 10-to-12 feet-wide concrete sidewalk/path for pedestrians and cyclists: from Bell District to existing sidewalk/path at 183A, from Anderson Mill Road to Little Elm Trail and other paths as recommended from the Mobility Master Plan currently under development.
Anderson Mill Road Phase 2
Expand roadway with upgraded intersections and turn lanes designed to improve safety and traffic flow, completing four-lane divided roadway between Cypress Creek Road and Whitestone Boulevard (Ranch to Market Road (RM) 1431).
Toro Grande North Extension
Extends and expands Toro Grande from Whitestone Boulevard (RM 1431) to New Hope Drive, providing key mobility connection between these two major arterial roadways.
New Hope Drive - Whitestone Boulevard (RM 1431) to Lakeline Boulevard
Design to expand section of New Hope Drive to four-lane, divided roadway with bicycle lanes, from Whitestone Boulevard (RM 1431) to Lakeline Boulevard.
Lakeline Boulevard Ice Damage Repair & Safety Improvements
Repair and partial reconstruction of section of Lakeline Boulevard from Continental Pass to Cedar Hills Drive, due to damage from February 2021 Ice Storm.
Ronald Reagan Boulevard Expansion Design
Design future expansion of Ronald Reagan Boulevard (Farm to Market Road (FM) 734) to six lanes from Whitestone Boulevard (RM 1431) to northern City limits. Covers design only, so it is ready to build, as completed design improves opportunities to secure funding from other sources.
Traffic Signal Improvements
Construct or reconstruct several traffic signals and add new safety technology to several traffic signals citywide.
Not limited to but could include:
Trails Improvements
Make improvements to existing trails, including adding trail lighting along some existing trails, and reconstructing trails in Milburn Park and Brushy Creek Lake Park.
Lakeline Park Phase 2
Complete the final phase of construction of the 200-acre Lakeline Park, the City's largest park, located in South Cedar Park, southwest of Bell Boulevard (U.S. Highway 183) and Little Elm Trail. This includes:
- An additional 30 acres of maintained recreational space
- Lighted artificial turf soccer fields
- Lighted softball fields
- Tennis, pickleball and sand volleyball courts
- Trails
- Play area
- Splash pad
- Parking
- Other recreational facilities
Brushy Creek Sports Park Athletic Field Turf Improvements
Converts existing multi-use fields to synthetic turf to allow for greater field usage and water conservation, and improves adjacent parking.
Veterans Park Pool Expansion
Expands and remodels Veterans Park Pool to include a lazy river, two waterslides, private shade areas, concession stand and parking expansion to accommodate more visitors.
Public Safety Training Facility - Phase 1
Design and construction of a joint training facility for Police, Fire, and Emergency Management and an Emergency Operations Center for emergency management use during disasters and emergencies. This joint facility will be located on land currently owned by the City.
How the Proposed Bond Package Was Developed
During summer 2021, City Council created a 15-member Bond Advisory Task Force (BATF) to evaluate and develop recommendations for the City Council to consider for a future bond program. The BATF was charged with reviewing capital improvement projects and prioritizing, ranking and grouping projects for proposed programs, reviewing financial feasibility of proposed programs, providing opportunities for citizen engagement, and submitting a final report to City Council.
The Bond Advisory Task Force was comprised of the following members:
Stephen Thomas (Chair)
- Chris Bowman
- Sade Fashokun
- Debra Glovsky
- Ginger Goodin
- Jami Hafiz
- Darron Jurajda
- Michael Litton
- Tony Moline
- Brian Rice
- Sharon Richardson
- Barbara Shaffer
- Craig Snow
- Patrick Walz
- Ryan Wood
During this thoughtful and deliberative process, the BATF studied the City's various capital projects proposed and considered long-range strategic plans related to City services and infrastructure, as well as long-term economic forecasting. The BATF engaged with the public throughout the process before finalizing its list of recommendations.
In January, the BATF presented its recommendations to City Council, who approved the final bond package to go before voters in May 2022.
- What are bonds?
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General Obligation Bonds are used by governments to finance public capital improvements such as roads, buildings, public safety projects, parks and public facilities.
- Why does the City of Cedar Park use bonds?
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In Cedar Park we use bonds to maintain existing assets, manage growth and meet anticipated future demands. General Obligation Bonds require voter approval and are category-specific, meaning we can only finance what voters approve in the ballot language and can't mix and match categories, once approved.
- How are bonds repaid?
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Bonds are repaid through ad valorem property taxes. An ad valorem tax is based on the assessed value of real estate or personal property.
- Will the proposed bonds impact our tax rate?
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No increase to the tax rate associated with this proposed bond program is anticipated.
Based upon the City's economic forecasting models and strong financial position due to paying off older bonds, the City projects that it can issue the proposed General Obligation Bond package of $158.8 million, which includes cost escalation, inflation and issuance costs over the five-to-seven-year program, without increasing the tax rate.
- Can bonds be used for any other purpose than what's described in each proposition?
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No. The bond initiative will be presented to voters in three categories:
- Transportation
- Parks and Recreation
- Public Safety
If a bond category is approved by voters, the approved funding may only be used for the specific category listed in the specific bond question. For example, approved Parks funding may not be used for Public Safety projects.
- If approved by voters, how soon could construction begin on bond-funded projects?
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The bond program is designed to be implemented over a five-to-seven-year period, by issuing multiple series of bonds as various projects are ready for construction. If bonds are approved by voters, some projects could begin right away; others could be more long-term. Some projects may take multiple years to complete due to design, right-of-way acquisition and utility relocations.