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Potential 2022 Quality of Life Bond Election
The Boerne City Council has held four workshops in preparation for making a decision whether to call a Quality of Life Bond Election for our community. This election would be held in conjunction with the November General Election for local, state, and federal offices. The Council is using the guiding principles of implementing the City’s Master Plans, increasing public safety, improving mobility and quality of life for residents, and achieving City Council and community input to finalize the decision.
If the City Council moves forward with a Bond election, the total amount of the bond propositions will be determined in upcoming months. From our latest projections, for every one cent of additional tax revenue, the City estimates being able to fund approximately $6 Million in bond debt. Assuming the potential of a $40 Million Quality of Life bond election, the average $340,000 home in Boerne could see an increase of 7 cents per $100 of taxable value or $20 per month.
This webpage is designed to provide information about the potential City of Boerne Quality of Life Bond Election. It does not advocate passage or defeat of the measure and is intended only for informational purposes. It does not discuss any of the other matters that are to be voted upon should City Council call for a November 8, 2022, election.
How the Bond Package is Being Developed
Council and Community Collaboration
Drawing on community input from the 2021 Citizen Survey – as well as the 2018 Master Plan, Mobility Master Plan, and Parks Master Plan – City Council is focusing on critical needs of the City while drafting a list of potential projects for the proposed bond package. The areas of focus include Parks and Open Space, Facilities, and Streets and Sidewalks.
City Council Bond Meetings and Workshops
Boerne City staff have presented potential bond projects to City Council at several meetings and workshops throughout February and March 2022. Catch up on the workshops below.
Initial Bond Presentation to Council - Jan. 20, 2022
Parks and Open Space - Feb. 22, 2022
Facilities - March 8, 2022
Streets and Sidewalks - March 22, 2022
Prioritization Workshop - April 12, 2022
Timeline for Quality of Life Bond
February - June
Boerne City Council explores potential projects that might be included should they call for a bond election in November.
July - August
City Council approves project list and calls for election.
Oct. 24 - Nov. 4
Early Voting
Nov. 8
Election Day
Election Information
Should Boerne City Council call of a Quality of Life Bond Election on the November 2022 ballot, the following election dates and voter eligibility information would apply to the bond election.
Election Dates
- October 8 – Last day to register to vote
- October 24 – First day of in-person early voting
- November 4 – Last day of in-person early voting
- November 8 – Election Day
In order to cast a ballot in the bond election, you must be both registered to vote in and be a resident of the city limits of the City of Boerne. If you’re unsure of whether you are eligible to vote or would like to learn more, visit votetexas.gov.
Voter Eligibility
You are eligible to register to vote if:
- You are a United States citizen;
- You are a resident of the county in which application for registration is made;
- You are at least 17 years and 10 months old (your registration will be effective 30 days after you submit your voter registration application or on your 18th birthday, whichever is later. In order to be eligible to vote, you must turn 18 on or before election day);
- You are not a convicted felon, or, if convicted you have been pardoned or fully discharged your sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, or probation; and
- You have not been declared by a court to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
- What is a general obligation bond?
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Over the past 50 years, the City of Boerne has utilized general obligation (GO) bonds to restore, replace, and expand infrastructure and capital assets across the city. GO Bonds are a debt obligation issued by local governments to fund public purpose capital improvements, such as roads and public facilities. GO bonds are secured by and payable from the City’s pledge of ad valorem tax levied on all taxable property within the City. GO Bonds are proposed and voted on in citywide elections.
- How did residents vote in past Bond Elections?
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Since 1972, the City of Boerne City Council has sent four Bond Elections to the voters for their approval. Below is a brief timeline and background on those elections.
September 1972 – The Boerne City Council voted to seek voter approval of the issuance of $1.07 million for utility improvements and extensions. There were three proposals on the ballot, and all three were approved by voters.
Prop 1: $1,025,000 for waterworks improvements and extensions. For = 201, Against = 21
Prop 2: $28,000 for sewer improvements and extensions. For = 205, Against = 16
Prop 3: $17,000 for natural gas improvements and extensions. For = 200, Against = 20
April 1987 – The Boerne City Council voted to seek voter approval of the issuance of $3 million for street improvements, fire station facilities and library facilities. There were four proposals on the ballot, and two were approved by voters.
Prop 1: $2,000,000 for street improvements. The project included Esser Road, Oak Park, W. Highland, W. Hosack, Advogt, Frey, Hickman, Kronkosky, Schweppe, Becker, Stahl, James, Theissen, Plant, Live Oak, Frederick, Schleicher, North, Johns Road, Phil Wilson, Dailey, Roeder. For = 360, Against, 287
Prop 2: $625,000 for fire station facilities. For = 342, Against = 301
Prop 3: $300,000 for street improvements for West Theissen Street Crossing. For = 165, Against = 469
Prop 4: $75,000 for library facilities. For = 242, Against = 395
November 2001 – The Boerne City Council voted to seek voter approval of the issuance of $3.625 million for street and drainage improvements and to purchase and equip a new fire truck.
Prop 1: $2,740,000 to construct street and drainage improvements and purchase land (widen and realign Esser Road at River Road). For = 87, Against = 77
Prop 2: $525,000 to purchase and equip a new firetruck. For = 84, Against = 80
May 2007 – The Boerne City Council voted to seek voter approval of the issuance of $21.47 million public safety upgrades, a new library, green space/land acquisition, trail/sidewalk improvements.
Prop 1: $10,250,000 for public safety projects including a new Police Department Headquarter, Municipal Court, Expansion and remodel of Fire Station No. 1. For = 866, Against = 418
Prop 2: $5,000,000 for a new municipal library. For = 860, Against = 446
Prop 3: $830,000 to construct new sidewalks. For = 863, Against = 419
Prop 4: $1,990,000 for municipal trails and pedestrian paths. For = 745, Against = 556
Prop 5: $3,400,000 for parks improvements and purchase land for future park space. For = 813, Against = 493
- How much did taxes increase for the 2007 Bond Election and are the projects completed?
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Voters approved raising the tax rate by six cents, however, due to the increase in property values within the City limits, the collections were higher than expected and the tax rate was ultimately increased just two cents. All projects from the 2007 Quality of Life Bond have been completed.
- The Boerne Police and Municipal Court Complex opened in November 2010.
- Northside Park was purchased in 2008 and the Skate Park, restrooms and playground were opened in 2010.
- The Boerne Fire Department expansion/renovation was complete in March 2011.
- The Patrick Heath Public Library was completed in April 2011 and opened to the public on June 4, 2011.
- Sidewalks were completed in 2011 and 2012.
- River Road Park renovation was completed in summer of 2012.
- If the 2022 Quality of Life Bond goes to the ballot and is approved by voters, will it increase the property taxes paid by homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled?
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Homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled whose City taxes are frozen when the bonds are issued will not have their property taxes increased.
- What if I have a question or comment about the proposed Boerne Quality of Life Bond?
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Questions and comments about potential 2022 Boerne Quality of Life Bond can be directed to [email protected]
- When would the first bond projects be under construction?
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If the bond goes to the ballot and passes in November 2022, the City will develop a project bid schedule. The first bonds would likely be issued in early 2023 to allow the projects to start as soon as possible.
- Will the Quality of Life Bond Election bond increase taxes?
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If voters approve the proposition, the City anticipates raising the property tax rate once the bonds are issued. The City works to balance property tax rates with needs for other services, such as police, fire, transportation, and more.
- How have residents been involved in developing this bond?
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Residents are the drivers of the development of this bond. Over the past five years the City has solicited resident’s feedback during our 2018 Master Plan creation, Community Transportation Committee, and with our first-ever Citizen Survey in 2021. Most responders said they want to see the City focus on investing in roads and intersections, green space, and managing and improving mobility. Read the full Citizen Survey here.
- How does a bond work?
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A general obligation bond (GO bond) is a common financial tool used by governments that is secured by and payable from a pledge of ad valorem tax levied on all taxable property within the City to repay bondholders over the life of the bonds.
Generally, banks or bond underwriters provide a governmental entity funds up front for capital projects to allow for the construction of large capital projects the entity wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. The governmental entity then repays those funds, including interest, over time.
In Texas cities like Boerne, GO bonds are typically sold in a competitive sale to ensure the lowest interest rate, but will use other methods of sale if the market calls for it. Interest on the bonds is tax exempt to the bondholders, because the City of Boerne is a government entity and the projects are public projects.
- How does the City currently pay for projects?
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The City currently funds projects several ways, including through our general fund, enterprise funds, sales taxes, sale of bonds, development impact fees, and cost sharing with federal and state funding sources.
- Why not just do these projects on a pay-as-you-go basis?
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The City does as much as we can each year to maximize the annual capital improvement budget, but our infrastructure needs are greater than what annual funding can support. GO bonds offer the City a cost-effective financial tool to address a large number of both deferred maintenance and new infrastructure projects over the course of several years.
Additionally, the City only issues GO bonds when a need has been identified. If the proceeds aren’t needed, like when a project doesn’t move forward, the City won’t issue the bonds. By borrowing the money upfront for large capital projects like road construction, the City is also able to lock-in construction prices upfront, which minimizes inflation in project costs. And lastly, funding large projects over a number of years through the repayment of debt increases taxpayer equity. Texas’ population is expected to double in the next two decades and new residents are moving to Boerne every year. If the City were to pay for large projects each year with current taxes, then current taxpayers would be the only ones paying for growth. By matching a project’s funding to the number of years it will be in service, every generation of taxpayers who uses that asset can help pay for it.
- Who would buy the GO bonds?
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If the bond is approved, we will not know who will buy the GO bonds until they are sold in the market. Boerne typically sells bonds competitively but will choose a negotiated sale or private placement if it is in the best interest of the City of Boerne and our taxpayers.
- How long would the City be paying off the bond?
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That varies based on the project. Federal tax law does not allow the City to sell bonds that exceed the useful life of the project being financed. So, if a road is expected to last 20 years, the bond cannot exceed 20 years.
The City of Boerne is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodations and equal access to communications will be provided upon request by calling (830) 249-9511.