Road bond can significantly impact our community, especially when they prioritize profit of few private developers over the community needs overall. This bond is proposing to increase the county tax rate to pay for changes to roads in PDF on this page.
If approved, the 2024 Road Bond would add a total of $0.02 per $100 valuation to the county tax rate, which is recommended to be set at $0.35 per $100 valuation, according to a Hays County news release. This does not include any other taxing districts a property owner may be subject to.
For example, the homeowner of a $100,000 home would have $20 added to their taxes as a result of the bond, bringing the county's cut of property taxes to $350; a $200,000 homeowner would be charged $700 total and see an additional $40, and so forth.
This road bond would increase Hays county taxes in addition to this recently approved property tax increase.
University Star Article on approved Hays county tax increases
● Only a fraction of the total costs is identified: Many of the proposed projects provide millions of dollars for only part of a project, e.g. design and/or right-of-way acquisition. The total cost of the project is not provided, so there’s no way to think about the overall costs and benefits of a particular project, the source of remaining funds, the timeline for finding those funds and completing the project, etc.
● Information on potential alternative projects not on the list: There is no information given on potential alternative projects – either roads, public transportation/multi-use projects, or other priority county non-road capital projects – and how or why these other potential priority county projects were not included for a countywide bond proposal.
● Inclusion of numerous projects broadly opposed in public comments on the Hays County Transportation Plan. In previous public comment periods on the Hays County Transportation Plan and the Dripping Springs Transportation Plan (and possibly other community plans) the overwhelming public input was against western “loop” roads located on the Edwards and Hays Trinity Aquifer recharge zones around Dripping Springs and on the west side of San Marcos, Kyle, and Buda. This public input has not been compiled and summarized showing public opposition to and/or support for these projects or any of the other proposed projects. Projects that were supported during those public comment periods may be missing from the current list. Moving forward without even knowing the public input that was received on each of the proposed projects demonstrates disrespect for the Hays County residents who participated in those public comment processes and for the public input received.
● No environmental impact information is provided on proposed, large 2 or 4-lane divided highway projects that would require new stream crossings, located in flood plains and/or over vulnerable recharge areas, passing through or near established neighborhoods, groundwater wells or parks, or that would destroy or fragment endangered species habitats.
● Lack of Coordination with Travis County. At least two of the projects listed, including SH 45 Gap and the Fitzhugh Road extensions, share jurisdictional boundaries with Travis County. There has been insufficient coordination with Travis County on these roads, and Travis County is actively opposing the extension of SH 45.
● Current and reliable traffic and population distribution trends are missing. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or CAMPO, our official regional transportation agency, is currently updating its long-range plan to include major, post-Covid changes in commuting patterns and growth trends. It has been clearly established that the current Hays County Transportation Plan is based on grossly inaccurate projections of a “population explosion” in western Hays County when the vast majority of our growth is taking place along and east of the Interstate 35 corridor. We need current and reliable traffic and population distribution projections before committing $450 million in limited tax dollars.development bonds. By fostering a culture of engagement, residents can influence decisions that affect their neighborhoods, ensuring that the community’s voice is heard and valued in the development process. Empower yourself and your neighbors to take action.