Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Stakes are high today for the city of Hewitt and four McLennan County school districts, as voters will decide whether raising taxes is worth the respective payoffs.
Kathy Van Wolfe, McLennan County’s elections administrator, said 2,418 county voters cast early ballots in the joint general election, which includes a constitutional amendment election, the Hewitt bond and local-option election, and decisions within the Moody, La Vega, Robinson and Lorena school districts. Residents of Bruceville-Eddy also will elect a mayor and two city council members.
Election day info
The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.
“After the turnout for the presidential election, we just wish that many would turn out to vote all the time,” Van Wolfe said. “Of course, we never see those numbers for a constitutional election.”
City of Hewitt
Hewitt city manager Adam Miles said 288 residents voted early to decide on the $9.8 million bond sale to buy 63 acres of land, build a public safety complex and fix up parks. They also will decide whether to allow the sale of beer and wine by grocery and convenience stores, as well as beer and mixed drinks in restaurants.
In Hewitt, the propositions would cost taxpayers $6.33 per month per $100,000 valuation.
The first proposition asks for $8.13 million to build a public safety facility to house the police and fire departments and municipal court on 15 acres at Ritchie Road and Hewitt Drive.
In Proposition 3, $1.25 million would allow the city to purchase an additional 48 acres on the tract, land Miles said could be used to develop a “downtown” for the Waco suburb, including retail shops, restaurants and housing.
Hewitt officials have said purchasing land within the city limits is important because the landlocked city has fewer than 1,400 acres that have not been claimed. The city of 13,000 is expected to reach 25,000 residents by 2024.
The remaining $500,000 of the $9.8 million bond issue, covered in Proposition 2, would go to parks and recreation for improvements based on public input, Miles said.
Moody ISD
Moody Independent School District is seeking to expand its schools by holding its first bond election in 28 years, a move that could raise taxes by up to 25 cents per $100.
Moody ISD is asking voters to approve $11.5 million for several projects, including adding classrooms at the elementary, middle and high schools.
If approved, the tax rate could increase from $1.02 per $100 to $1.2734, though school officials hope state and federal aid could offset much of that increase.
La Vega ISD
After a bond election failed a year ago, La Vega ISD reassessed its needs and is going back to voters with a single proposition that would raise the tax rate by about 15 cents.
La Vega ISD is asking for $24.4 million in bonds to fund a new $19 million intermediate school and $5 million in additions and renovations to La Vega High School. The current tax rate of $1.2389 per $100 valuation would increase to $1.395.
La Vega Intermediate School currently is using 11 portable classrooms to meet its capacity needs. The high school was built for a capacity of 550 students, and enrollment currently is 791. Projects would include adding new science labs to meet new state requirements and renovating old labs.
Robinson ISD
Robinson Independent School District is holding a tax-ratification election, asking voters for permission to increase the tax rate 13 cents, from $1.186 to $1.316 per $100 property valuation.
The rate increase would generate an additional $1.42 million annually for the school district, which, for the third year in a row, adopted a deficit budget. Each year, the district has used the fund balance — the district’s savings — to make up the difference.
State law requires that no district can have an operating tax rate of more than $1.17. The total ratified tax rate of $1.316 consists of a rate for maintenance and operations of $1.17 and a rate of about 14 cents that goes toward the district’s debts.
Lorena ISD
Lorena Independent School District also is holding a tax-ratification election to raise the tax rate by 13 cents. The tax rate would go from $1.24 to $1.37 per $100 property valuation.
If passed, the rate increase will raise a total of $1 million for the district toward the next budget, $420,000 locally and $580,000 from the state.
Lorena ISD Superintendent Sandra Talbert said utility costs have gone up, along with regular cost-of-living increases for employees, but state funds have stayed the same. The district adopted a deficit budget this year.
Comments
By boohoowaawaa
Nov 4, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this
Great job Hewitt!!! Now all of you alcoholics can get your fix without leaving your great city. Ha! Ha!
By boohoowaawaa
Nov 4, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this
Great job Hewitt!!! Now all of you alcoholics can get your fix without leaving your great city. Ha! Ha!
By Steve
Nov 3, 2009 11:00 PM | Link to this
I am very glad that the 3 bond elections did not pass in Hewitt. Not the right time with everything going on. I agree with the comment about the jokers we have in the City Council and the lazy so call Mayor we have. It is time for a change and it will happen in the next 2 elections.
By Hewitt Won
Nov 3, 2009 10:49 PM | Link to this
Jim Vidrine do us a favor in Hewitt and move away. We do not like people like you that try to take advantage of the great citizens of Hewitt. The voters have spoken and we won!!!! Jim was the money behind these elections and was going to make big $$$ on us. But you could not fool us Jim. I do question the city manager Adam Miles on how sharp this man is to be taken in by Jim V. Next time Adam, keep Jim out of the race and you may have a chance. Also, you will need to downsize your city hall project by half to have a chance in the future. and the police and the Fire Dept on its own proposition.
By Voters spoke in Hewitt
Nov 3, 2009 10:36 PM | Link to this
Hewitt- I think it was great that the 3 overreaching propositions failed. When the Hewitt City Manager was on the local 10PM news and said it was close. 100-300 votes difference with just a low turn out Mr Miles is NOT close. You may want to go back to school and learn what Close means.
With the passing of alcohol sales was a no brainier. That will bring in new tax dollars to Hewitt. Use these dollars for your improvements. Next we need to elected a new Hewitt Council and a new Mayor. The ones in office now are a joke.
By Hewitt Resident 1
Nov 3, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this
Ok. Here is my two cents. i agree that we should not be making Jim Vidrine wealthy off the backs of the police and fire departments. Stupid move by the City of Hewitt. Vidrine hurt your effort more than helped. Open your eyes. He is a businessman. Second. Taxes have been raised constantly over the years by MISD not the City of Hewitt. Fact. Just check the records. If you think MISD is done asking for money you are nuts. Third. Did we as taxpayers just shoot ourselves in the foot. Yes the number seemed high and shady (Jim Vidrine) but what will be the cost to keep the police officers and firefighters in the present facilities. I say this because have you seen the building? Its old. Inside and out. How much money will it cost for mold abatement or asbestos. Ruined equipment (expensive) due to a leaky roof. How much in state or governmental fines will be assessed by OSHA or other regulatory agencies? What will we say when the building is condemed and we as taxpayers have to build a new building anyway at a much higher cost plus the demolition of the old one. One poster said that this issue should have been taken care of many years ago. that poster was right but it didnt happen. The old city management style made it clear that his (DW) salary was more important than the needs of the city. At this point we as taxpayers may have to eat a much higher bill for the current facilities than building a new one that is up to code. Citizens beware. I am sure this issue is not dead and may just be more costly than ever. Oh and last but not least. Now you can buy and sell alcohol in Hewitt. My oh my !! More concerns for the police and firefighters but no concern for who is gonna have to deal with that. Wait. One more. Who is the genius that designed the intersection at Sun Valley and Spring Valley?? He needs to be talked to and made to drive thru that mess everyday.
By Taco
Nov 3, 2009 9:41 PM | Link to this
Looks like Jim failed to make a buck off the people of Hewitt, great job folks...by the way Jim it needs mowing....looks tacky...
By Taco
Nov 3, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
Who cares about the police offices? We can't even keep good officers, I'm tired of training them here and then the Chief pulls his crap and they leave, as for Miles, take care of what you have in front of you, then we'll talk about other things....vote NO!!!!!!!
By VOTE NO HEWITT
Nov 3, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this
Hewitt Residents, If you have not voted yet for these bad proportions please go out before 7:00PM and vote NO. Send a message to the Hewitt City Manager and the Hewitt City Council to control spending. This is not the time to rise our taxes. So many can't even but food on the table. Come back later but with a realistic bonds and plans. Did you get your property tax bill last month? Do you want to pay more, NO!!!
Also, we do not need to make Jim Vidrine any richer with our tax money. This land was going to be donated to the city of Hewitt and when Jim Vidrine was on the Hewitt city council he refused it, then bought it cheep. Now Mr. Vidrine is trying to sell this to the city of Hewitt and make BIG $$$$. No Way Jim, VOTE NO ON ALL THREE PROPOSITIONS
By Nay-sayers still misses the point
Nov 3, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
They do need functionality - ONLY. And you can get that done for a whole lot less than they are demanding (9+ million for everything - HA!!!). Go tour some of the local high school buildings and their sports complexes for an example of what I'm typing about and if you lift off those blinders, then you'd begin see.
"They can get all their needs addressed without all those fancy bells and whistles shenanigans attached and do it at 1/6th of the cost. All we're asking for is some practicality when it comes to picking our pockets for a project."
But if you still miss the point, then, "...you and those of you with views of the like, can fork up the funds your own selves and enjoy wallowing in all those vanity-trodden structures afterwards. Just leave us practical, honest taxpaying citizens out of it!
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