Buda Voters give major support to Bond Package

Staff Reports

BUDA – With 47 of 47 boxes reporting in an unofficial tally, Buda voters supported the Buda general obligation bond package totaling $89.66 million in a landslide.

Voters approved Proposition A, comprised of transportation and mobility projects, with 74.31% in favor of the bonds, while 25.69% of residents voted against it. Proposition B, comprised of parks and recreation projects, experienced significant support also with 63.39% of voters favoring the bonds and 36.61% opposed.

Additionally, two City Council candidates appear to be headed for a runoff election. Position 3 At Large candidate LaVonia Horne-Williams is leading two other candidates with 49.11% of the vote, followed by Emily Jones with 33.87% and Virginia Jurika with 17.01%. If official results show no candidate reaches 51%, a runoff election between the top two candidates (possibly Horne-Williams and Jones) will be held Dec. 7, 2021. Incumbent council member Paul Daugereau faced no opposition.

Vote tallies are unofficial until canvassing has been completed on Monday, Nov. 15.

“A win on the Buda Bond package is a win for the citizens of Buda. We needed these transportation projects so that we can begin alleviating some of the congestion the City is experiencing with this growth,” Buda Mayor Lee Urbanovsky said, adding, “The parks projects also will bring added value to the living experience Buda offers.”

“In the City’s recently adopted Strategic Plan, our mission includes ‘managed growth,’” City Manager Kenneth Williams said, adding, “We understand that Buda has become a sought-after destination, and we have to be prepared to manage the growth and maintain a quality-of-life environment that people have come to expect when they think about Buda. So, both of these bond propositions were very important to our community.”

The proposed transportation projects involve Old Black Colony Road reconstruction, West Goforth Road reconstruction, Overpass Road / FM 2001 intersection improvements, RM 967 acceleration and deceleration lanes and right turn onto FM 1626 expansion, Austin Street reconstruction, FM 2770 / Main Street / China Street pedestrian connection, Talley Loop rehabilitation, an I-35 to Old San Antonio Road connector, Middle Creek Drive rehabilitation, SH-45 / Bailey East-West Corridor, and other future small mobility improvements and to be “shovel ready” for potential grant funding with improvements for streets, roads, bridges, and intersections, including related utility relocation, sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, purchase of necessary rights-of-way, design and management costs, required equipment, and drainage, comprising about $73.57 million of the overall cost.

Buda City Engineer John Nett said, “We are ready. Our staff is so excited to know that because our voters weighed in, we will have the resources to begin implementing the improvements necessary for safe and more efficient roadways in Buda!”

The remaining $16.09 million of the costs are related to parks and recreation projects for Garlic Creek Trail Phase II, Eastside Park, Onion Creek Trail, Green Meadows Park / Stoneridge Park, City Park parking and Garison Park Phase I, and includes land acquisition, design costs, required equipment and drainage. “The improvements and acquisitions that are being made possible by the passage of these bonds will really enhance Buda’s parks and trails system,” Buda Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Olmer said.

Projects that were considered for inclusion in the bond referendum were reviewed by a City Council-appointed Buda Bond Advisory Council (BBAC). The BBAC was charged with reviewing the City of Buda’s master plans, community surveys, capital improvement plans, and other documents; analyzing potential projects for consideration in a bond election for constructability, cost, and public benefit; and recommending a slate of projects to the City Council for consideration.