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2003 Bond Issue for the County
BY
COMMISSIONER TOMMY ADKISSON
January 30, 2003
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"A nation without vision will perish." So says the good book and hence we in public office are elected to lead and yes, provide vision. That having been said, it is fundamental that the circular process of education takes place relative to the proposed bond issue. The circular process is of course, the public educating its elected officials and the elected officials in turn, educating the public.
The last bond issue anyone can remember was for the Justice Center around 1980. The last one for Bexar County was in 1993 and it was for detention only. This is the first multi-purpose bond election in Bexar County in memory. This one should be for at least 125 to 150 million dollars. However, the precise amount remains to be determined in the public process.
One especially heartening aspect of the Bexar Bond Issue is the fact that we have an excellent credit rating and interest rates are at an all-time low! Standard and Poors rates Bexar County with a Double A rating, Moody with a Double A rating and Fitch with a Double A Plus rating! There would be no tax increase unless the people indicate an interest in addressing more seriously than the present commitment such as the issue of flood control. In that case, the flood control tax administered exclusively by Bexar County, would be increased to address a larger portion than is presently scheduled, of the $500 million plus, in flood projects deemed necessary for the safety of the citizens of our growing County.
Some of the items listed below are indicative of the kinds of priorities that should or could be addressed in the bond issue. At present for instance, Bexar County pays $1.9 million in rent alone, annually! This is in my opinion, a waste of tax dollars to keep renting into eternity. We could purchase, pay for and then only need to provide maintenance on the buildings for a far lesser sum of money annually.
- Completion of the Restoration of Courthouse (Texas' largest historic Courthouse!)
- Parks
- Purchase of land for certain necessary agencies currently renting property (Satellite offices, Fleet Maintenance Office and Adult Probation Office among other worthy functions)
- Road and Bridge projects (growth plus two back-to-back 500-year floods had to impact our roads and bridges)
- San Antonio-Bexar County History Center (a joint City and County remake of the Hertzberg Library)
- Technology (computer technology and kiosks for satellite centers)
- Watershed Projects
The public process for the consideration of this bond issue will begin shortly. This is your time to weigh-in and share your opinion and perspective. I look forward to hearing from you. |
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