As it stands, the bond referendum includes $100 million earmarked for flood mitigation, or what Meyers calls a “$100 million blank check” that does not provide specifics or details for mitigation projects.
The facilities bond primarily allocates funds for park upgrades, facility improvements and construction of new buildings, including a juvenile detention facility, an elections administration building, a precinct 4 annex and an emergency management center.
After the Texas Legislature placed a 3.5 percent revenue cap on all county governments, Fort Bend County officials have estimated they can authorize up to $450 million in bonds without a tax rate increase, according to Meyers. That estimate does not allow for the county to decrease the tax rate for the next five years.
Meyers said his proposed bond, which has an estimated $63 million dedicated to flood mitigation and will contain five propositions, will also include $24 million for a required juvenile detention center, $12 million for an Emergency Management Center and $3.2 million for emergency medical improvements.
Fort Bend County has made several applications for federal grants that could be used for creek improvements, erosion barriers, drainage improvements, road elevations and detention ponds, Meyers said. It plans to leverage up to $400 million in grants to build flood improvements.
The bond also includes at least $66 million in mobility projects, such as $36 million for general projects across Fort Bend County, $4 million allocated for Texas 99 and $8 million for Fulshear-Gaston Road.
The deadline to call for a bond election to appear on the November ballot is Aug. 19.
The community meeting is scheduled for Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Justice of the Peace Courtroom at 22333 Grand Corner Drive in Katy. Meyers plans to have at least one more community meetings on the topic before the bond heads to commissioners.
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