If the propositions are approved, what will this do to my taxes? 

If approved, the bond would be sold in a single issuance in Fall 2025. The tax rate could increase next year to 4.2 cents. This rate is expected to gradually decline if no additional bonds are issued or property values are greater than projected. Property taxes on a Lake Jackson home valued at $100,000 could increase about $43 per year in 2025.

How were the propositions selected?

The bond projects for this year were selected by City Council based on recommendations from City Staff and key projects identified by the 2019 Bond Task Force. The 2025 bond seeks to address the basic needs of our residents, which include streets, public safety and drainage.

FAQ

Proposition A | Public Safety Facilities

Why is the police department expansion included in 2025 bond projects if voters approved $2.4 million for it in 2021?

The Police Department expansion is included in the 2025 bond projects due to inflation. Supplemental funds are needed to complete the project originally planned in 2021. 

If the police station expansion was approved in 2021, why wasn't the project done then? 

The 2021 Bond issue was planned to be sold in three phases with the police expansion set as one of the later projects. It has been delayed since construction cost have exceeded our initial cost estimate.

At your calculation of 5% inflation per year, the cost would now be $2.9M, so why are you asking for twice the difference? 

Total requested funds for the police station for this bond issue are $3 million dollars. The requested funds include $1 million dollars to supplement the initial police expansion project. The bond issue also includes two new police station projects: $800,000 for roof replacement and $1,200,000 for repairs to the chiller and replacements of emergency generators. 

 Why does the police station need to be expanded when the population hasn't changed in 20+ years?

 The police expansion will accommodate large evidence storage which is too small. There is now a greater need for evidence space and processing space for vehicles and bulk items of evidence. As part of the remodel the investigation division will be moved to the same area of the building as evidence storage. The expansion will also provide storage for traffic officer equipment and armored response vehicle. 

This is an example of when separate bonds would be better because although repairs are probably needed, the rest seems unnecessary. Then again, shouldn't there already be a budget for necessary repairs? 

The City budgets for basic repairs to buildings in its operating budget. The Police Department annual building and maintenance budget is $14,000 and the Fire Department annual building and maintenance budget is $30,000. The repairs outlined in the bond proposition exceed annual maintenance and operating funds. 

Proposition B | Streets

How are decisions made on which street replacement projects are prioritized? 

A survey of the arterial streets was conducted to measure two roadway characteristics: Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and Pavement Roughness Index (IRI).  The PCI is a numerical rating of the distress of pavement. It is recommended to perform pavement maintenance on lower PCI roads to extend the service life of the roadway.

The IRI is a measurement of the overall ride quality and bumps you feel as you drive along a street. This measurement is not directly related to pavement failure, and while it is not a desirable characteristic, it is a lower priority measurement than PCI.

The data helped the City to target specific blocks along arterial roads with the lowest pavement PCIs. The first goal is to address the failing pavement by repairing the segments of roadway with PCI values of less than 70. The proposed bond does not address Pavement Roughness (IRI) and the scope of the survey did not yet include residential streets.

Why is the City choosing to do street panel replacements rather than the construction of new streets? 

The City has decided to prioritize street panel replacements over the construction of new streets to enhance the current safety standards and efficiency of existing infrastructure. This approach ensures a cost-effective solution that extends the lifespan of our streets. 

What are street panels?

Streets are made by laying down sections of concrete. These sections can be removed and replaced as they are worn or damaged. The sections are called street panels. Proposition B asks voters to cast ballots on 419 street panels for sections of major thoroughfares that are damaged or worn.

Why did you start with 2024 dollars, which means you're already applying a year of inflation before the project is even voted on?

Our most recent cost estimates were calculated in November 2024. If voters approve propositions in May, bonds will be sold in the open market in the fall of 2025. The City would then receive funds in December 2025, approximately one year after estimates were calculated.

Since we know that inflation for 2024 and the first part of 2025 is only 3%, why are you applying 5%? In fact, other than 2 years during the last administration, inflation hasn't exceeded 3.5% in the last 15 years and most years it was somewhat less.

Unfortunately, construction inflation has run slightly higher. In the last five years from January 2020 to February 2025, the Construction Cost Index has risen from 292.27 to 365.69, an average of 5% a year. The inflation factor used was based on our consultants’ recommendation for building construction and our own experience in road repair and current bond projects. Construction cost have exceeded the 3% inflation factor used in the 2021 bond issue.

Why does every section have 5 years of inflation applied? Wouldn't the materials be purchased now for the sections that begin in 2025, so no inflation would apply, and then the next section would only have a year of inflation, and the next section 2 years of inflation...? Of course, if you're not going to start the project for 5 years and then do it all in one year, it would make more sense, but then why are we voting on it now?

The goal of the City is to complete the projects as soon as possible. If voters approve the bond propositions in May, the City will sell bonds this fall and receive funds by December 2025. At this time, the City will secure contracts with architects and engineering firms to begin designing the projects and preparing bid specifications. Design for projects of this size take approximately 12-18 months. The bidding process adds another 3-4 months to the project timeline. After a contract is awarded, a contractor will order materials, mobilize and begin construction usually within 60 days. The City is working to shorten this timeline by beginning the professional services selection during the summer.

Proposition C | Drainage 

What is the actual scope of the drainage projects?

The scope includes enlarging drainage pipes, slope paving and replacing culverts.

OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT BONDS

Why issue bonds? 

General obligation bonds are an alternative to funding projects on a “pay as you go” basis. Bonds are used to allow the City to pay for more costly projects over a longer period of time. Otherwise, to fund capital projects on a “pay as you go” approach, the tax rate would have to be increased sufficiently to generate additional revenue to pay for projects.

What is a General Obligation Bond? 

A General obligation bond is a financing tool that a city can use to finance large capital projects over a multi-year period, similar to a home mortgage. A bond permits the project costs to be amortized over a period that more closely matches its useful life. Lake Jackson has held 6 bond elections in the past 28 years: 2021, 2016, 2010, 2005, 2003, and 1997.

If a bond proposition is approved, when will the construction of that project begin? 

Voter approval of a bond proposition only authorizes funding for the project. Before construction, the City must take steps to plan, design, and bid a project. Therefore, depending upon the type of project, the process from planning to construction may take a number of months. 

What happens if the bonds are not approved by the voters?

If a bond proposition for a particular purpose does not pass, and funding is not otherwise available to complete that project, that project could be eliminated from the City’s long-term capital improvement plan or it could be included in a future bond package.

What is the Lake Jackson credit rating? 

The City’s current credit rating, issued by Standard & Poor’s, is AA+ on General Obligation Bonds.