Roads, drainage, parks and police. Paid for by a vote.
When a county or city wants to borrow for big projects, voters decide. We run the campaign on either side, with the real cost, the real project list and the voters who actually show up.
What is a county or city bond election in Texas?
A county or city bond election asks voters to approve borrowing for specific projects, such as roads, drainage, parks, libraries or public safety buildings, repaid with property taxes. The ballot states each purpose, the principal amount and that taxes will be imposed to repay the debt, and larger entities must publish a voter information document with the cost details. URSA runs campaigns for the committees supporting or opposing these propositions.
We know both sides.
Every bond has people who want it and people who will pay for it. We have run campaigns for both, so we know the other side's playbook before they open it.
How Local Bonds Reach the Ballot
Texas counties and cities borrow for major projects with general obligation bonds, repaid from the debt service part of the property tax rate. Most general obligation debt needs voter approval, so the commissioners court or city council orders an election, usually on the May or November uniform election date.
Each proposition on the ballot has to state its single purpose, the principal amount, and that taxes sufficient to repay the debt will be imposed. Entities with more than a small number of registered voters must also publish a voter information document for each proposition, with figures such as the principal, estimated interest and the entity's outstanding debt. That document is the most important piece of research either campaign will read.
Not all local debt goes to voters. Certificates of obligation can be issued without an election unless enough voters petition for one, which is itself sometimes the campaign.
What These Bonds Usually Fund
Roads and bridges
Widening, reconstruction and new roads. The most visible bond project, and the most local: every voter knows which road they mean.
Drainage and flood control
Detention ponds, channels and storm sewers. Neighborhoods that flooded remember exactly when.
Parks, trails and libraries
Quality of life projects that draw strong support from some voters and the hardest questions from others.
Public safety buildings
Police and fire stations, jails and courts. Usually argued on response times and capacity.
Do Texas cities and counties need voter approval to issue bonds?
General obligation bonds generally require voter approval at a bond election. Some other forms of debt, such as certificates of obligation, can be issued without an election unless enough voters petition for one.
What is a voter information document?
For a bond election, many Texas political subdivisions must publish a voter information document for each proposition with cost information such as the principal, estimated interest and the entity's existing debt. It is the starting point for both campaigns.
Can a city or county campaign for its own bond?
No. Texas Election Code Section 255.003 bars a political subdivision from spending public funds on political advertising. The city or county can publish factual information. Advocacy for or against is run by political committees with private funds.
Keep reading.
- Passing a County or City BondThe URSA playbook for committees supporting Texas county and city bond propositions: projects by neighborhood, the voter information document, cost per home, and turnout.
- Defeating a County or City BondThe URSA playbook for committees opposing Texas county and city bond propositions: total cost with interest, existing debt, project priorities, certificates of obligation, and taxpayer turnout.
- PACs and Issue CampaignsURSA runs advocacy campaigns for political committees supporting or opposing ESD, CAD, school bond and tax rate propositions: targeting, creative, media and turnout, with disclosures on every piece.
Your victory starts here.
Tell us where you are running or what is on your ballot. We will show you who decides it, what moves them, and what it costs to reach them.
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