By Megan Wehring
KYLE – Kyle voters will consider two bond propositions on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Proposition A is a $37 million bond for a new public safety facility, specifically a new police station and emergency operations center. The estimated tax rate impact for an average homestead in Kyle, valuing at $215,762, is 0.0744 per $100.
Mayor Travis Mitchell said a new police station would provide officers with the necessary equipment to effectively do their jobs.
“No locker rooms, no training equipment in our police facility,” Mitchell said. “We struggle to maintain ADA compliance because the building wasn’t built for a police department. It was built a long time ago for a bank and we spent a very small amount to try to retrofit that building so the police department could use it.”
Chief of Police Jeff Barnett said the department could use a new facility to provide additional services that were not previously available.
“One of the things we hope to be able to do with a new facility is to better serve the community,” Barnett said. “Especially in areas of mental health, victim services and the treatment of our victims will be at the forefront of our new facility.”
Proposition B is a $10 million bond that will give $7 million for a regional sportsplex and festival grounds, $2 million to upgrade the Plum Creek trail and $1 million for a skate park at Gregg Clark Park. The estimated tax rate impact for an average homestead in Kyle is 0.0201 per $100.
Council member Robert Rizo said new city parks, along with improving those already in place, would provide opportunities for all members of the community.
“Something I always think about is the health of our citizens,” Rizo said. “So having that trail system, having the skate park and having places for kids to play soccer will get them out of those video games and out into breathing fresh air. That’s where we can win as a city is promoting health.”
Mitchell said the bond would bring a little something to the city of Kyle for every resident.
“Whether you love soccer, whether you love taking walks, whether you love skating, the city of Kyle has a need,” Mitchell said. “This bond has the potential to allow for us to expand on all those offerings.”
Bonds are planned to be issued for March or April 2021 with the tax impact planned for fiscal year 2022, if approved by voters in November 2020.
