County Judge, Committee Co-Chair Explain Drainage Bond
Hidalgo County Drainage District #1 approved an order to hold a bond election on November 6, 2012 for the issuance of $184 million to upgrade the drainage system. This amount represents a portion of the estimated $600 million needed to address all countywide drainage challenges.
The bond election includes the Master Plan update of 25 specific improvements at a cost of $84 million. These funds include $15 million for rural drainage development and $10 million for Delta Area Watershed Development Project. The additional $100 million is for the construction costs of an independent segment of the Raymondville Drain.
The Raymondville Drainage Project is a conditional long-term initiative for which the federal government must provide a grant of 90% of all costs of construction. The District WILL NOT issue any portion of these bonds or levy a tax until the grant is approved.
The impact to taxpayers residing in the drainage district may be up to a 2 1/2 cent levy for $84 million of the bond. A tax payer with $100,000 property valuation might pay $25 additional taxes per yer. This equates to $2.08 per month. For more information, please visit online at:
www.hcdrainage.org
Early voting: October 22-November 2
Election Day is November 6, 2012.
View this interview with Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia and co-chair of the Hidalgo County Judge's Drainage Advisory Committee, explaining the bond referendum.