Drainage projects add to cost of bond package

Several residents speak out against ReimersPeacock Road project.

Travis County staffers on Tuesday recommended a $28 million increase to the proposed roads and parks bond package, bringing the new total to $185 million, just one week ahead of the final Commissioners Court vote to place the item on the November ballot.

The latest revisions come after the staff announced last week that new estimates caused the citizen bond advisory committee’s final recommended package total to rise by about $12 million.

The largest bump came from the staff ’s recommendation to add $26.9 million for improvements to low water crossings. All but a couple of the crossings were identified in a 2009 drainage basin study as needing improvement; the others have been known to cause road closures.

The staff also recommended $8.3 million in improvements to Northeast Metropolitan Park in Pflugerville, which was ranked eighth-highest priority by staff but wasn’t included in the bond committee’s list.

The staff proposed about $7 million in reductions, including removing the Braker Lane North roadway capacity project as well as the Austin to Manor Trail bicycle safety project, both of which it can both be covered by other means.

The revisions the staff recommended Tuesday would add about $5 to the average taxable homestead’s bill, if voters approve the package. The original bond proposal wouldn’t have raised the tax rate, though as properties