2017 Bond Election

In November 2017, Cedar Hill residents will have the opportunity to consider two programs:   1) the issuance of $45 million in general obligation bonds to finance infrastructure, parks and recreation, and library improvements to be initiated over the next five to seven years without a tax rate increase; and 2) the continuation of the 1/8 of one percent sales tax to fund the Cedar Hill Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD).

Bond Program - Since the last city bond referendum in 2003, our community has grown substantially. Responses from various citizen input surveys and master plans indicate that Cedar Hill residents desire expanded facilities for the library, improvements to the only public pool in the city, more accessible parks and trails, and infrastructure improvements to keep our sidewalks, streets, and drainage safe and efficient for our growing population.  Based on feedback from the 2016 Citizen Survey, the City Council appointed residents to a Citizen Bond Review Committee in January 2017. The Committee’s charge was to review and evaluate current and future community needs and recommend projects for City Council consideration and inclusion in a potential November 2017 bond election. The City Council reviewed the Committee’s recommendations and financial implications and approved an ordinance calling an election on November 7, 2017 to ask Cedar Hill voters to consider the following propositions:

• Proposition A: Street & Drainage Improvements ($10 million)
• Proposition B: Library Facility ($20 million)
• Proposition C: Parks & Recreation Facilities ($15 million)

Learn more and browse our Frequently Asked Questions.

Crime Control & Prevention District - Voters will also be asked to continue the Cedar Hill Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD). In 2012, voters approved a ballot measure that allowed the City to designate a portion of existing sales tax revenue to fund community safety and crime prevention initiatives. the initial five year term of the CCPD expires in November 2017, and citizens will be asked to consider extending the CCPD for an additional 15 years. Since the creation of the CCPD in 2012, the overall crime index rate has decreased by 10 percent. 

Learn more about the Crime Control & Prevention District Proposition.
 

Financial Impact

 - The expenditures authorized in the bond election would be funded by General Obligation Bonds, which are repaid by property taxes.  It is anticipated that this program would not require an increase in the property tax rate, based on the retirement of existing debt and anticipated increases in taxable property value over the next five to seven years. The city’s previous bond program, approved in 2003, was also completed without an increase in the property tax rate. These projections are based on current financial conditions, trends, and forecasts and may change based on actual future market and economic conditions.

 

The Cedar Hill Crime Control and Prevention District (CCPD) designates a portion of sales tax revenue to fund community and crime prevention initiatives; this proposition does not propose an additional tax. One-eighth of one percent of existing sales tax revenue is designated to fund the CCPD. Funding the community and crime prevention initiatives through the CCPD rather than through the city’s property tax revenues saves citizens an estimated three cents on the property tax rate, or $48 per year based on the average home value in Cedar Hill.

 

For more information on the Bond Election visit www.CedarHillTX.com/bond.