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2018 Bond Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the estimated impact to the property tax rate?
A. The estimated impact to the property tax rate is dependent on several factors, based primarily on the total dollar amount of bond projects approved. If all propositions were approved, the estimated tax rate increase would be $0.08. The estimated annual tax increase would be $80 for a home valued at $100,000.
Q. What is included in the Public Safety Facilities Proposition?
A. The summary of the proposition is: “The issuance of $52,410,000 tax bonds by the City of Longview, Texas, for constructing, renovating, and equipping police and fire stations and relocating the fire and police training center and emergency operations center and levying the tax in payment thereof." Read more about the proposed projects in this proposition.
Q. What is included in the Streets / Infrastructure Proposition?
A. The summary of the proposition is: “$27,090,000, for the purpose of improving, renovating, upgrading and reconstructing existing streets and roads in the City, including related bridges and intersections, utility relocation, landscaping, sidewalks, signalization and signage, drainage, the acquisition of any necessary right-of-way, and other related costs for such projects.” Read more about the proposed projects in this proposition.
Q. What is included in the Parks Proposition?
A. The summary of the proposition is: "$24,710,000, for the purpose of designing, constructing and equipping improvements and additions to City parks, including trails, playing fields and other sports and recreational facilities, parking and related infrastructure, and the acquisition of land and interests in land necessary thereof." Read more about the proposed projects in this proposition.
Q. If the bond were approved, when would each project take place?
A. There is currently not a detailed project timeline since the project implementation would be determined based upon results of the bond election and available funding. Based upon the bond results, city staff would work with City Council to establish a bond project schedule. If approved, some projects would begin immediately, while other projects would be staggered for later start dates.
Q. Why is the bond split into three separate propositions?
A. The bond election is split into three separate propositions according to a grouping of similar projects. By grouping similar projects into propositions, the City has the ability to adjust projects according to available funding during the implementation phase. For instance, cost-savings in one project could balance cost-overruns in another project within the same proposition.
Q. Can I vote for or against an individual project within the propositions?
A. The bond propositions are organized according to three categories of projects rather than by individual project. As such, voters will vote either for or against the three propositions and will not vote according to individual project.
Q. How were the projects selected?
A. The projects on the bond election were selected by City Council after receiving recommendations from the Longview Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. Beginning in 2015, the advisory committee worked with city staff to review, evaluate, and prioritize projects that were identified within the Longview Comprehensive Plan and/or on the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Projects list.
Q. What is the Longview Comprehensive Plan?
A. The Longview Comprehensive Plan was a citizen-led long-term strategic planning document that was adopted by City Council in 2015. As a long-range planning tool, it is intended for use by municipal staff, decision-makers, and citizens to direct the growth and physical development of the community for 10 to 20 years to come. The Longview Comprehensive Plan specifies strategic planning for issues such as future land use, transportation, public facilities, parks, neighborhoods, community livability, growth management, and economic development. The Longview Comprehensive Plan also includes an implementation chapter that identifies strategies and projects to implement the plan.
A. The estimated impact to the property tax rate is dependent on several factors, based primarily on the total dollar amount of bond projects approved. If all propositions were approved, the estimated tax rate increase would be $0.08. The estimated annual tax increase would be $80 for a home valued at $100,000.
Q. What is included in the Public Safety Facilities Proposition?
A. The summary of the proposition is: “The issuance of $52,410,000 tax bonds by the City of Longview, Texas, for constructing, renovating, and equipping police and fire stations and relocating the fire and police training center and emergency operations center and levying the tax in payment thereof." Read more about the proposed projects in this proposition.
Q. What is included in the Streets / Infrastructure Proposition?
A. The summary of the proposition is: “$27,090,000, for the purpose of improving, renovating, upgrading and reconstructing existing streets and roads in the City, including related bridges and intersections, utility relocation, landscaping, sidewalks, signalization and signage, drainage, the acquisition of any necessary right-of-way, and other related costs for such projects.” Read more about the proposed projects in this proposition.
Q. What is included in the Parks Proposition?
A. The summary of the proposition is: "$24,710,000, for the purpose of designing, constructing and equipping improvements and additions to City parks, including trails, playing fields and other sports and recreational facilities, parking and related infrastructure, and the acquisition of land and interests in land necessary thereof." Read more about the proposed projects in this proposition.
Q. If the bond were approved, when would each project take place?
A. There is currently not a detailed project timeline since the project implementation would be determined based upon results of the bond election and available funding. Based upon the bond results, city staff would work with City Council to establish a bond project schedule. If approved, some projects would begin immediately, while other projects would be staggered for later start dates.
Q. Why is the bond split into three separate propositions?
A. The bond election is split into three separate propositions according to a grouping of similar projects. By grouping similar projects into propositions, the City has the ability to adjust projects according to available funding during the implementation phase. For instance, cost-savings in one project could balance cost-overruns in another project within the same proposition.
Q. Can I vote for or against an individual project within the propositions?
A. The bond propositions are organized according to three categories of projects rather than by individual project. As such, voters will vote either for or against the three propositions and will not vote according to individual project.
Q. How were the projects selected?
A. The projects on the bond election were selected by City Council after receiving recommendations from the Longview Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. Beginning in 2015, the advisory committee worked with city staff to review, evaluate, and prioritize projects that were identified within the Longview Comprehensive Plan and/or on the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Projects list.
Q. What is the Longview Comprehensive Plan?
A. The Longview Comprehensive Plan was a citizen-led long-term strategic planning document that was adopted by City Council in 2015. As a long-range planning tool, it is intended for use by municipal staff, decision-makers, and citizens to direct the growth and physical development of the community for 10 to 20 years to come. The Longview Comprehensive Plan specifies strategic planning for issues such as future land use, transportation, public facilities, parks, neighborhoods, community livability, growth management, and economic development. The Longview Comprehensive Plan also includes an implementation chapter that identifies strategies and projects to implement the plan.