Hays County officials have placed a bond on the November ballot that will cost local property taxpayers more than $750 million.
The proposed bond would use taxpayer dollars for a series of road construction and maintenance projects.
According to the county’s bond website, local officials believe that the “improved and expanded road system will create new economic development opportunities in Hays County, attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and expanding the county’s tax base.”
“Our county’s road infrastructure and public facilities play a critical role in fostering economic growth, ensuring the safety of our residents, and providing essential services to the community,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. “By calling for a countywide bond for road infrastructure, we can revitalize our roadways, attract businesses, improve public safety and address the needs of our growing community. Investing in our county’s future is an investment in every citizen’s quality of life.”
The bond proposition states that the road improvements will cost taxpayers $439,634,000. However, when interest is included it will actually cost $778,362,762—75 percent more than the amount voters will see on the ballot.
Currently, Hays County residents owe more than $638 million in bond debt principal and interest. If voters approve the new bond, county property taxpayers will be responsible for repaying nearly $1.5 billion of debt.
Andrew McVeigh, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, told Texas Scorecard that local governments need to learn to live within a budget.
“Local governments across the State of Texas already have hundreds of billions of dollars in debt, making Texas local government debt the third highest in the country, only being beat out by California and New York. Local governments, such as Hays County—which already have crushing debt—are unfortunately being irresponsible stewards of both the public’s money, and the public’s trust,” said McVeigh.
“Everyday Texas families are being crushed by the Biden-Harris economy, and must live within a budget every day. Local governments, like Hays county, must learn to do the same,” he added.
Early voting in the bond election runs from October 21 through November 1.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
