by Sahar Chmais
The development of Municipal Utility District No. 1 (MUD) in Buda is on the May 2021 ballot, but only residents living within the confines of the proposed MUD can vote.
If the MUD passes, it will assist in the construction and financing of utilities, which would serve the planned development of the Colony at Cole Springs. These additions are restricted only to those living in the MUD. Taxes levied by the MUD would only affect those living within that district.
Without a MUD, the cost considerations for the developers would radically change, said Sean Abbott, general counsel for the MUD. This would in turn increase the price for the homebuyer.
While the development will have its own district, Buda residents will gain some benefits, Abbott said. Some of the benefits that will be paid for by the developers include a new bridge to alleviate traffic, a traffic signal along FM 967 and donation of parklands and trails.
Additionally, the easy access from the development to downtown Buda will increase business revenue, Mark Baker, principal at SEC Planning, said.
Early in-person voting begins on Monday, April 19. Tuesday, April 27 will be the last day of early voting, and Saturday, May 1 is election day.
The MUD has the following propositions:
Proposition A: Confirming creation of Buda Municipal Utility District No. 1.
Proposition B: An operation and maintenance tax for the District not to exceed one dollar ($1.00) per one hundred dollars ($100) valuation of taxable property.
Proposition C: The issuance of $47,420,000 bonds for water, wastewater and drainage system facilities. Taxes sufficient to pay principal of and interest on the bonds will be imposed.
Proposition D: The issuance of $34,600,000 bonds for roads. Taxes sufficient to pay principal of and interest on the bonds will be imposed.
Proposition E: The issuance of $71,130,000 bonds for refunding water, wastewater and drainage system facilities bonds (including refunding bonds issued therefor) issued pursuant to Section 59, Article XVI of the Texas Constitution. Taxes sufficient to pay principal of and interest on the bonds will be imposed.
Proposition F: The issuance of $51,900,000 bonds for refunding road bonds (including refunding bonds issued therefor) issued pursuant to Section 52, Article III of the Texas Constitution. Taxes sufficient to pay principal of and interest on the bonds will be imposed.
As per Proposition B, Abbott explained that it is very doubtful that the tax would ever approach $1 per $100.
