McGregor residents will vote Tuesday on spending $17 million to build a competition gym/special events center near the city’s high school and a facility for the growing number of pre-kindergarten and first-grade youngsters in the district.

If voters approve the bond issue, the school tax rate of $1.19 per $100 property valuation could increase by up to 20 cents, superintendent Kevin Houchin said. That means the owner of an average home in McGregor — valued at $72,738 after a $15,000 homestead exemption is applied — would pay $145.48 more in school taxes yearly.

“A 20-cent increase is the worst-case scenario,” Houchin said. “McGregor is a growing community, and we would hope to see more development before the new tax season rolls around next year.”

Growth in the community about 15 miles west of Waco on Highway 84 is the main reason the school district needs new facilities, Houchin said. He said the student population has grown by 18.5 percent, to 1,325, since 2000.

McGregor now has a traditional gym with bleacher seating that rolls onto the floor, Houchin said. A new competition gym/events center would have chair seats, be safer, nicer and compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act, he said.

A second gym would give the district more room to host tournaments and accommodate practices, Houchin said.

McGregor voters in 2001 approved a $7.3 million bond issue to build a new elementary campus. In 1985, they voted to issue $3.8 million in bonds to build a new high school.

In other elections Tuesday:

*  Aquilla Independent School District will vote on spending $1.5 million to partly fund construction of a new gym, three classrooms, an agriculture barn and other facility improvements. Superintendent David Edison said the district is seeking approval of the bond now to take advantage of a federal program that could save it $1 million in interest.

*  In Bruceville-Eddy, voters will fill three at-large seats on the city council. Candidates are incumbents Hal Wilcox, Connally Bass and Allen Trigg Sr., and challengers K.F. “Coon” Stanley, Larry Oliver and Patrick Linstrom.

*  Moody is holding city council and school board elections.

In the school board race, incumbents Jeff Dean, Scott Wilson and Carol Haas face challenges from Justin Foster and Ray Lantz for three at-large seats.

In the city race, incumbent Mayor Mike Alton faces a write-in challenge from Mike Rodriquez. Jo Harrison and T.D. “Red” Watkins are unopposed for two at-large seats.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

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