Department: County Administration
Department Head/Elected Official: David Berry, County Administrator
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for discussion and possible action of ballot initiatives for a potential increase to bond authority available to Harris County.
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Background and Discussion:
At the June 14, 2022, meeting, Commissioners Court requested that the County Administrator and Budget Director provide recommendations on potential ballot initiatives in November 2022. The purpose of this item is to provide the outline of a potential proposal and request guidance from Commissioners Court.
Should Commissioners Court wish to hold a bond election in November 2022, it must adopt an order calling an election not earlier than 90 days before Election Day (August 10, 2022) and not later than the 78th day before Election Day (August 22, 2022). The order or orders must describe with reasonable specificity each item to be placed on the ballot. It is not possible to combine multiple investment areas into a single referendum item. Potential bond initiatives include: public safety; roads (including drainage) and transportation; and parks.
On July 19, 2022, Commissioners Court mentioned that staff should provide additional details about a community engagement plan. County staff will be prepared to discuss.
Expected Impact:
A bond issuance would expand the County's ability to make needed capital investments. It would require approving the tax rate to pay debt service on the bonds. For context, the County's debt service tax rate, including the Flood Control District, the Hospital District and the Port of Houston has decre...
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