Travis Eyes Road, Park GOs

Travis County voters would decide Nov. 8 on a $205.6 million general obligation bond program for roads and park projects if commissioners accept the recommendations presented last week by a citizens committee.

Commissioners are expected to schedule  the election by mid-August. The plan also recommends that the county seek alternative ways to finance $28.2 million for two pass-through road projects in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation. The final report suggests using certificates of obligation rather than voter-approved debt.

The 36 projects on the final list developed by the bond advisory committee were culled from the 120 initially proposed with a total cost of $638 million. Commissioners had asked for a bond proposal of no more than $150 million, but the bond panel said the needs were too immediate.

The proposal would be presented as two questions. The package is made up of $123.5 million of bonds for roads and drainage efforts and $82.1 million for parks.

The projects include $20 million to purchase 800 acres for a system of parks along the Pedernales River.

Travis County voters in 2005 approved $121.8 million of GO bonds for roads and parks.

The county’s $631 million of outstanding GO bonds are rated triple-A by Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s.

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