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1. Why a bond election?

The City of Rosenberg is proposing a 2023 Bond Election to address needs for new facilities. Due to the City’s financial management policies, the bonds will be issued without increasing the debt tax rate for our residents. The City’s Facilities Master Plan, accepted by City Council in 2015, outlined needs related to City facilities and the City’s ability to continue to provide the level of service expected by our residents given the current and projected growth trends. The needs identified in the study were reprioritized based on current conditions, and level of importance to City operations.

 Two new facilities are being proposed: 

A.   Emergency Services Complex (proposed location Highway 36 at Fairgrounds Road, near the Rosenberg Civic Center) including Fire Station No. 4, Fire Administration, and an Emergency Operations Center, and

 B.   Public Services Complex (proposed location on Airport Road near the current Parks and Recreation facility) including offices, shop space and warehouse space for Public Works, Utilities, Fleet Maintenance, Building Maintenance, City Engineer, Capital Projects and Parks Departments.  The Public Services Complex will also include a fueling system and a wash bay for all city vehicles and equipment.

2. What is a General Obligation Bond?

General obligation bonds are debt instruments issued by states and city governments to finance large capital improvements. Bonds are sold to investors and the proceeds from the sales of these bonds are used to pay for major capital investments that have a public purpose—such as the emergency services and public services projects. Bond elections provide voters the opportunity to have a say in which projects they are willing to support by voting on bond propositions to authorize funding for each project on the ballot.

3. What is a bond and why do I have to vote on it?

Just as homeowners borrow money in the form of a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, a city borrows money in the form of bonds to finance the construction of capital projects. Both are repaid over time. A city is required by law to seek approval from voters in the form of a bond election in order to issue bonds.

As a resident, your vote matters. Because of historically low voter turnout in Rosenberg, local elections are typically decided by less than 10% of residents. At the May 7, 2022 general election, the City had 20,076 registered voters, and of those only 1,765 cast ballots. 

 Voting on this bond election gives you the opportunity to have a say in the future of the city. 

4. How many propositions will there be?

There will be two propositions on the November 2023 ballot related to General Obligation bonds.

 CITY OF ROSENBERG, TEXAS - PROPOSITION A

The issuance of bonds in the amount of $18,500,000 and the imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds for an emergency services complex including fire station # 4, an emergency operations center, and fire department administration offices and other public safety related infrastructure, and all matters incident or necessary thereto.

CITY OF ROSENBERG, TEXAS - PROPOSITION B

The issuance of bonds in the amount of $33,000,000 and the imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds for a public services complex, to house public works, utilities, fleet maintenance, building maintenance, city engineer, capital projects, parks department and other city departments and all matters incident or necessary thereto.

5. When was the last time there were General Obligation Bonds on the ballot and what kinds of bond-financed projects has Rosenberg completed in the past?

General obligation bonds were last on the ballot in November 2006, when the residents approved four bond propositions which included:

• Proposition No. One – The issuance of $450,000 bonds for the construction, acquisition and equipment of public safety facilities including a new 911 system.
• Proposition No. Two – The issuance of $3,550,000 bonds for the construction of streets, sidewalks and related drainage improvements, including improvements to Bamore Road and Blume Road.
• Proposition No. Three – The issuance of $3,500,000 bonds for the improvement, acquisition, and construction of city parks and recreational facilities, including new athletic facilities at Seabourne Creek Park and improvements at all city parks.
• Proposition No. Four – The issuance of $4,000,000 bonds for the acquisition and construction of drainage and detention improvements, including the Dry Creek and Seabourne Creek drainage projects.

6. What will happen if the bonds do not pass?

If the city’s voters reject the bond propositions, bonds would not be issued for the projects, and the projects may remain unfunded. Given the rapid pace of residential growth, the overall condition of existing facilities, and expiring lease agreements for fire facilities, the city would have to delay these improvements and limit services.  

7. Does the City Council support the bond election?

On August 15, 2023, Rosenberg City Council voted to call a November 7 bond election to provide voters an opportunity to decide whether to fund projects identified to address growing public safety needs and to construct new facilities to centralize services and replace aging facilities.

8. Who do I contact for more information?

Please call Citizen Relations at 832-595-3301 or send an email with your question, and we will forward it to the person who can best answer your question.