FAQ'S
WHAT IS A BOND ELECTION?
Cities are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required for projects such as rebuilding streets and alleys, improving parks, or building a new facility. Essentially, the voters are giving permission for the City to take out a loan and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. The City Council calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed projects.
HOW CAN BOND MONEY BE SPENT?
City of Rowlett projects should exceed $25,000 in cost, be a non-recurring expense, provide long-term benefit and be an addition to the City’s fixed assets. Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.
HOW WERE THE PROJECTS IN THIS BOND ELECTION IDENTIFIED?
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Following the 2018 Facilities Assessment, Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects identified six facilities that needed to be replaced due to growth and facility condition.
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City Council convened the Community Investment Program Task Force (CIPTF) to gather citizen input on prioritizing major facilities, get feedback on a potential tax rate increase to pay for the facilities, and additionally to get feedback on potential Herfurth Park upgrades.
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The CIPTF met from April 2022 until December 2022, attended over 30 events and meetings, and conducted an online survey to get resident feedback.
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After receiving resident input and over 480 survey responses, overwhelmingly, City of Rowlett residents prioritized and supported a new Public Safety Facility and a new Animal Shelter.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROPOSITIONS FAIL?
The City would revisit any failed items to determine the best course of action. This could include bringing it/them back to voters in a future bond election.
WILL MY TAXES GO UP IF VOTERS APPROVE ANY OF THE THREE PROPOSITIONS?
WHAT ELSE IS ON THE MAY 6 BALLOT?
General Election for Place 1, Place 3, and Place 5 on the Rowlett City Council
Special Election for Home Rule Charter Amendments
If voters approve the proposed amendments, language which is crossed out in each Proposition will be struck from the Charter, language underlined will be added.
PROPOSITION A – City Council Vacancies and Attendance
The office of a member of the City Council failing to attend three (3) consecutive r̶e̶g̶u̶l̶a̶r̶ meetings of the City Council, whether regular or special, without being excused by the City Council shall be declared vacated by a majority vote of all the remaining members of the City Council. Any member of the City Council remaining absent for six (6) consecutive r̶e̶g̶u̶l̶a̶r̶ meetings of the City Council, whether regular or special, shall be deemed to have forfeited such office.
PROPOSITION B - Meetings of City Council
Special meetings of the City Council shall be held at the call of the Mayor, o̶r̶ ̶a̶ ̶m̶a̶j̶o̶r̶i̶t̶y̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶C̶o̶u̶n̶c̶i̶l̶m̶e̶m̶b̶e̶r̶s̶ the City Manager, or any three (3) Councilmembers, upon provision of public notice in accordance with State law.
PROPOSITION C - Municipal Court
Clerk – The Clerk of the Municipal Court shall be appointed by the City Manager with input from the Chief Judge of the Municipal Court. Deputy Clerks shall be appointed by the City Manager as appropriate C̶h̶i̶e̶f̶ ̶J̶u̶d̶g̶e̶ ̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶C̶o̶u̶r̶t̶ ̶C̶l̶e̶r̶k̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶d̶i̶r̶e̶c̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶b̶y̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶C̶h̶i̶e̶f̶ ̶J̶u̶d̶g̶e̶. The Clerk and Deputy Clerks shall have the power to administer oaths and affidavits, make certificates, affix the seal of the Municipal Court thereto, and generally do and perform any and all acts usual and necessary by clerks of courts in issuing processes of courts and conducting the business thereof.
PROPOSITION D - Municipal Judge
Removal – In accordance with State law, the Chief Judge or any Associate Judge of the Municipal Court may be removed from office during their term of office, with or without cause, after a hearing, by a 2/3 majority vote of the full City Council T̶h̶e̶ ̶R̶e̶m̶o̶v̶a̶l̶ ̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶e̶r̶m̶i̶n̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶a̶n̶y̶ ̶M̶u̶n̶i̶c̶i̶p̶a̶l̶ ̶J̶u̶d̶g̶e̶ ̶s̶h̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶a̶c̶c̶o̶r̶d̶a̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶S̶t̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶l̶a̶w̶.̶
PROPOSITION E - Charter Review Commission
Scope – The City Council shall determine the minimum scope of the review by the Commission. . .
PROPOSITION F - Charter Review Commission
Term – The term of office of the Commission shall be for not more than s̶i̶x̶ ̶(̶6̶)̶ twelve (12) months, at the end of which time a report shall be presented to the City Council and all records of proceedings of the Commission shall be filed with the City Secretary and become a public record.