Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 540
McKinney, TX 75069
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@co.collin.tx.us
August 18, 2003
Collin County residents to vote on 2003 bond program
(McKinney, TX) - Collin County residents will vote on a proposed $229 million bond package on November 4th that would provide, among other things, funding for regionally significant transportation projects and parks facilities throughout the county. The Commissioners’ Court set the total bond package rate as well as the election date this afternoon.
The 2003 bond program is divided into three components: Transportation, Parks & Open Space and Facilities. For the transportation component, the Commissioners’ Court approved a proposed allocation of $142 million on countywide and joint city-county projects.
“Not only will this total package provide modifications for roadways within individual cities, but this package will also provide funds for regionally significant projects,” says Commissioner Jerry Hoagland.
The transportation bond sub-committee deemed four projects, which would cost a total of $48.5 million, regionally significant. The projects are: State Highway 121 from Preston Road to U.S. 75, FM 2551 (Murphy Road) from FM 544 to Parker Road, Betsy Lane from Dublin Road to FM 2551 and the extension of the Dallas North Tollway from U.S. 380 to FM 428.
The remainder of the funding would be available for a 50% match with 14 individual Collin County cities, and a portion of the bond money would go into a discretionary fund to provide money for undetermined critical transportation projects as the need is identified.
The second part of the overall bond package is Parks & Open Space, which would receive $11 million in funding, if approved by voters.
According to Commissioner Joe Jaynes, the 1999 bond program was a success, so the bond committee and Commissioners’ Court want to see if voters will consider another contribution to the program.
“In the last bond program, the county issued $5.7 million in bonds for open space. With that, we were able to generate approximately $20 million for 38 projects,” says Jaynes. “I’m pleased we were able to increase the amount for this bond program.”
The bond package would also provide approximately $76 million in funding for three facilities projects: Phase I of a new Collin County courthouse, the expansion of the county’s juvenile detention center and the expansion of the county jail.
If approved by a majority of voters, a new justice center would be constructed on Community Avenue in McKinney next to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office and county jail. According to county administrator Bill Bilyeu, the structure would be home to 14 district courts and provide shell space for future expansions.
“The justice center project would provide a good footprint for future use,” describes Bilyeu. “This is a stair-step plan which will take us through at least 2015.”
Currently, the county has six district courts. Because the ratio of residents to courts is so wide in the county, two additional district courts will be added over the next year by the state legislature. Collin County Judge Ron Harris says the courthouse will provide for anticipated growth for more than just the district courts.
“This would be another step towards consolidation of county functions. We’re already pushing our limits on space in the two current county courthouses in McKinney. The new structure would not only provide space for the district courts, but it would also provide space for the district clerk’s office and our Homeland Security Department. The immediate plan is to keep all administrative offices and county courts in the same place, ” says Harris.
If approved, the bond program would also provide funds for an additional 48 beds at the juvenile detention center. According to Commissioner Phyllis Cole, the juvenile population is predicted to increase by 42% from 2001 to 2006.
“With a growing juvenile population, we can expect an increased need for additional space at the juvenile detention center. The expansion increases the safety of both the employees and the juveniles at the facility,” says Cole.
The third component of the proposed Facilities bond package is the expansion of the county jail. A new cluster would add 288 beds.
“The cluster would provide housing for medium and maximum-security inmates,” says Commissioner Jack Hatchell. “It would also provide a video-remote visitation system. This system would decrease the amount of time and personnel it takes to transport visitors into the secured area.”
One bond committee with three sub-committees spent the last year listening to requests and compiling information before recommending bond packages to the Commissioners’ Court. And, Court members anticipate that the debt service will not raise taxes.
“I am truly overwhelmed by the time and energy these volunteers made as part of the bond selection process,” explains Judge Harris. “Their efforts are what will help this county prepare for the continued increase in population and development.”
2003 Collin County Bond Program
Three Components: Facilities, Parks & Open Space and Transportation
| Facilities |
$76 million |
| -- New Collin County Courthouse (Phase I) |
$54 million |
| -- Juvenile Detention Center Expansion | $4.3 million |
| -- County Jail Expansion | $17.7 million |
| Parks & Open Space | $11 million |
| Transportation | $142 million |
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4th, 2003
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