This is a great question.  Maybe the most important one for most.  Voting "YES" does NOT mean you are directly effecting an increase in your property taxes.  Quite contrary.  Issuance of past bonds have NOT raised taxes.  Voting "YES" just allows the board of HC WCID #110 to have the option to sell bonds and/or adjust the M&O property tax rate to fund future improvements.  The board, with the help of several professional consultants, has already done due diligence on this topic.  The bonds are not usually sold all at once and if approved, would be sold slowly over the next couple of decades as the projects are scheduled.  If improvements take place on a linear cycle, then voting "YES" means no increase in taxes whatsoever.  Remember, the district has used bonds to fund growth and improvement in the district since its inception in 1968.  Bonds are a way of life for municipalities and they do not translate directly into tax increases.  The district has bonds currently outstanding and yet, us residents in WCID #110 enjoy an extremely low tax rate of $0.32/$100 valuation - with the highest exemptions allowed by law (20% for all and $100,000 for elderly and disabled).  The board is asking you to vote "YES" on these proposals simply to provide them with the tools they need to manage the district moving forward.  Their commitment has ALWAYS been to keep property taxes low as has been proven by their track record. 

The vote is included on the general election ballot and is scheduled for November 5th (7a - 7p).  Early voting is from October 21 to November 1.  For most in our district, the best polling place on election day (November 5th), will be Lemm Elementary located at 19039 Joanleigh Drive, Spring, Texas 77388.  Early voting locations are spread out across the region.  The best method to see the entire sample ballot, find the best location to vote, and determine other logistical aspects is to browse to harrisvotes.com.   Make sure to check your voter registration status and polling location prior to voting.

All registered voters residing within the Harris County WCID #110 boundaries are eligible to vote in the bond and tax ratification election.  Note that these items mostly benefit the residents of the district and we are the ones who get to decide upon the matter.   The commercial customers, investment property owners and others with a commercial interest within the district are not able to determine the outcome of these three propositions. 

A municipality needs the ability to sell bonds in order to continue efficient operations.  Full stop. 

If all three of these propositions fail, then the water bills are guaranteed to increase drastically.  The district must undertake repairs and upgrades on infrastructure.  If it cannot fund these upgrades via bonds or M&O tax, then it must pass the cost through to residents through monthly water invoices.

The district has only had a few bond elections in its 56 year history.  The last was in 2007 and those funds, which were approved by voters like you and me, were just finally extinguished this year.  So the board needs the 'permission' to issue new bonds in the future. 

If the vote for this fails and the district finds they need significant funds for improvements - which a certainty exists that funds are needed to keep a 50+ system running - then the only option left to fund these improvements would be drastically raising the M&O component of property taxes (OR) passing the expenses through to property owners through monthly water bills.   So if the district cannot have the ability to lend to fund large projects, then anticipate water bills to increase significantly in the near future.  There are two propositions - Prop A and Prop B - that allow the board to issue bonds.  The third proposition - Prop C - is a fail-safe in the event the bond propositions fail (OR) if when the funds are needed in the future, it is found that it is cheaper to fund projects through M&O property tax vs. issuing bonds (common in times of expensive bonds). 

Assuming the worst that all three propositions fail voter approval, then the district would have no option but to increase monthly water bills and/or cut services back drastically. 

2007, actually.  That was the last election to allow the board to sell bonds.  It passed and since that time, the property tax rates have  continued to fall.  Tax election?  Last one was 1993.  Yep, just over 30 years ago. 

To answer the direct question, the vote is on the November 2024 ballot because the board just recently sold the last of the bonds allowed by the vote passed in 2007.  As with any business enterprise or municipality, especially ones dealing with manufacturing equipment, the infrastructure will always need to be repaired and improved.  While the district has done an amazing job paying for a large portion of improvements in the past many years using operation revenue (saved us taxpayers millions of dollars in expense doing this versus other means), the board needs to have the option to issue more bonds in the future for repair, improvement and new construction projects.  It may be many years before the first bond from this election, if passed, is sold, but voting "YES" allows a funding mechanism for the board to pay for this work instead of having to inflate the water bills and/or charge more property tax. 

We get one chance at this.  Please consider voting "YES" to show the board and the community you want these improvements and support and trust them based on the decisions to this point ($0.32 tax rate and crazy high exemptions - wink wink).

Bonds are indeed debt. Not all debt is bad.  The debt being presented here is a very healthy amount and if handled properly, will result in no increases in property tax.  It really comes down to trust.  Do you trust the board and their consultants to act in your best interest with the options presented?  It is basically the same board and group of consultants the district has had for decades.  So the argument would be that you've given trust in the past and it's been ok, so why not extend it again on these three propositions?  

Bonds aren't necessarily bad, especially when working within the municipal sector.  Rates are often lower for lending via bonds due to financial stability, and low risk, of the underlying municipality.  The most important aspect of bonds is that they help "soften" the cost of large capital improvements such as necessary water plant improvements and sewer plant expansions.

It is important to note that HC WCID #110, like all water districts, MUST keep the water and sewer flowing.  The age of the district is such that many large expenditures for upgrade and replacements are upcoming.  The methods by which the district can fund these expenditures are: charge back to users through the monthly water bills, issue debt to finance the expenditures over time, raise the maintenance and operating (M&O) component of the property tax; or a combination of all of these.  If these propositions do not pass, the only option that the district would have would be to charge the repairs through the monthly water bill.  Can you imagine receiving a $400 water bill each month?  That is possible and is occurring in several districts where bonds were rejected.  So imagine that same expense being pushed through bonds and being paid over a 30-year term.  This leads to softening of the effect of any improvements and additions to the district.

 Further, these bonds are paying for upgrades and improvements, such as new parks and facilities, that should directly translate into better home values and quality of life for all  of us.  So this is debt that can be tolerated and that is appropriate in this case.

There is most certainly that possibility.  If these propositions did not pass and the improvements were billed through the monthly water bill, it would almost certainly not be deductible (only deductible to some commercial enterprises).  However, for those who itemize, there is currently a deduction allowable for most of up to $10,000 for property taxes paid.  So for some, this could result in a reduction of income tax liability.

This does not constitute tax or legal advice.  Every tax situation unique and it is advised that you speak with your CPA or tax professional to determine if your property taxes would be deductible and to what extent. 

No.  If the bonds pass the stakeholder vote, then the board does not have to issue the debt immediately.  The vote is similar to allowing the board a "line of credit" that they can draw from at a future date.  Upon being given approval by the stakeholders (us!), the board would plan out the projects over the next many years.  It may take up to a decade and the board and consultants would decide the best timeline.  Remember, the board just sold their last bond from the 2007 bond vote! 

Once the projects are well into planning phase, the board applies for a certain amount of bond debt via TCEQ (and few other regulators).  This amount of debt will likely be in tranches or "bunches" of applications.  The board may decide to apply for $5mm at a time.  The timing of when the debt is actually issued is dependent on the need, the operating surplus to be used by the district, and the interest rate to be charged on the debt.  HC WCID #110 is fantastic at avoiding bonds and saving money by using operating expenses for capital improvements - saving over $2mm in past decade alone using this method.  So selling the packets of bonds, in partial amounts, allows the district to both only use what is needed immediately and assists in controlling overspending.  With $45 million in total bonds, it may take 15 years or more to use it all for the intended purposes.  That means savings to each of us taxpayers. 

 The district has a detailed forecasting matrix and plan which allows them to control what projects to undertake and when in an effort to keep our property tax and operating expenses as low as feasible. 

A. Water Plant No. 1 Improvements $3,500,000
B. Water Plant No. 2 Improvements $1,050,000
C. Water Distribution System Improvements $6,300,000
D. Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements $2,800,000
E. Wastewater Collection System Improvements $3,225,000
F. Storm Sewer and Drainage System Improvements $6,300,000
G. Contingencies $3,476,250
H. Engineering/Surveying $4,797,225

• Forest Oaks Swimming Pool Rebuild - Pool is 30+ years old (with consideration of tear down and rebuild of entire pool house to update/maximize space potential)
• Construction of two new pavilions on new lake.
• Increased expenses for annual fish restocking.
• Expansion of reclaimed water system for lakes and irrigation systems.
• Expansion of power lines to all pavilions and high traffic areas within the park.
• Replace and upgrade security systems.
• Additional covered benches and swings throughout the park along lake banks and walking paths.
• Replacement cycle for wooden bridges.
• Additional of lake fountains in all lakes to improve water circulation.Construction of new Tennis Pro and Storage Building and redesign and beautification of current tennis shed area.
• Replacing decomposed granite walking paths with asphalt or concrete.
• Construction of additional park bathrooms.
• Construction of dog park.
• Construction of pickleball court complex.
• Construction of new larger pavilion for large group events/rentals.
• Erosion mitigation along Cypress Creek banks.
• Safety barrier along Cypress Creek side of park
• Land acquisition for new park space, amenity lakes, and other possible amenities like a dog park, pickleball courts, disc golf course
• Additional outdoor fitness areas within the park to include outdoor fitness equipment.Repurpose main pavilion to be used for covered pickleball court(s).
• Additional practice backboards.Tennis courts 5-8 resurfacing
• Tennis courts 5-8 light replacement with MUSCO lights
• Fitness Center – equipment replacement plan for all cardio and strength equipment – almost all equipment was replaced after Harvey in 2017 so starting a replacement schedule will allow us to spread out the cost over multiple years. Data on equipment usage for cardio equipment is a major factor in replacement schedule.
• Replacement of audio system for pool area.
• Addition of new deep-water amenity to replace old rock wall.
• Replacement cycle for new outdoor tables and pool deck chairs/loungers.
• Replace and upgrade security systems.

The commercial properties must absolutely be considered in this evaluation.  Of the total taxable value of the district, the commercial properties comprise 47% of that valuation for 2024.   That means 47% of the taxes for our district are paid via commercial property owners.  However, they have no say in the vote nor do they decide how the funds are spent.  We the voters, the residents of HC WCID #110, get the sole vote.  This is a good check method to ensure responsible development and it allows, to some extent, control by residents as to what is allowed for development in the area.  Further, the commercial property owners are NOT allowed the same generous 20% property tax exemption ($100,000 for elderly and disabled). We the residents of HC WCID #110 get to make the decisions for all entities and that is why your vote is so important.  Please consider voting "YES" for all propositions related to HC WCID #110 so that we can have the resources we need to continue the amazing amenities we have become accustomed to. 

You are welcome to reach out to me, Scott Hubert, directly.  I will be honest in my responses to any questions you might have and be objective in answering any questions and concerns not addressed here.  You may also seek out exact language for the bonds at wcid110.com.   Finally, you can reach out to the Forest Oaks office at 281-353-0998 and speak to Brian Mills or Denise Simples regarding these votes.