Parks Proposition Frequently Asked Questions
The Boards of Directors (the "Board") for Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 162 (the “District” or “FBCMUD 162”) have called for a bond authorization proposition to be on the election ballot for Saturday, May 4, 2024 related to the issuance of bonds for park and recreational facilities.
To ensure that residents and other constituents of the District have accurate information regarding the proposition and the goals for the District, answers to common questions have been compiled. This page will be updated to address additional questions and provide further information prior to the election.
What is Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 162?
Fort Bend Municipal Utility District No. 162 is a municipal utility district and political subdivision of the State of Texas. It is authorized to purchase, construct, operate, and maintain water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, drainage, and park and recreational facilities to serve the land contained within its boundaries. The District currently contains approximately 1,921 single-family residences across 1,075 acres (Sunrise Meadow, Highland Meadows, Still Creek Ranch, Windstone on the Prairie and Arabella on the Prairie subdivisions). It also contains 1 gas station and 5 different school campuses.
What are the immediate goals of the District?
FBCMUD 162 will use the park bonds to enhance the On the Prairie community with trails, parks and related improvements that will help connect the subdivisions located within the District.
What is the Master Park Plan?
A master park plan is signed and sealed by a registered landscape architect, a licensed professional engineer or any other design professional allowed by law to engage in landscape architecture and will include a plan for the whole District including trails, playgrounds and other recreational facilities.
How does the District plan to achieve these goals?
To fund the park projects, FBCMUD 162 must receive bond authorization from District residents in the amount of $50.5M. The Boards of Directors have called for a proposition election on the May 4, 2024 ballot regarding the park bond authorization.
How will the proposition appear on the ballot?
The language below will be on the ballot for residents of the District when they go to the polls for the May 4, 2024 election, asking voters to select one (1) option of either FOR or AGAINST:
PROPOSITION B – THE ISSUANCE OF $50,500,000 BONDS FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND FOR REFUNDING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BONDS OF THE DISTRICT, AND THE LEVY OF TAXES, WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO RATE OR AMOUNT, SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS
What is a bond authorization?
A bond authorization is an approval process to sell bonds to fund district projects. It is similar to a line of credit that a business might use to fund its operations. An authorization is not immediate funding, nor is it a “blank check” to fund projects without meeting strict regulatory requirements. While an authorization may be approved for a large amount, bonds may only be sold once necessary projects are ready to begin.
What will the Park Bond authorization be used for?
The park bond authorization can only be used for the acquisition, design, and construction of recreational facilities, which generally can include forests, greenbelts, open spaces, and native habitats; certain sidewalks, trails, paths, boardwalks, and fitness trail equipment; certain pedestrian bridges and underpasses; outdoor ball fields, parks, amenity lakes and associated water features (subject to certain restrictions); certain amenity/recreational centers, outdoor tennis courts, and outdoor basketball courts; landscaping and parking related to the above items; and certain fencing.
How would the proposed Park Bonds impact my taxes?
Your tax bill is made up of two components: (1) a debt service tax used to pay the principal and interest on bonds issued by the District, and (2) a maintenance and operations tax used to pay for the operational costs of the District. If the bonds are authorized by the voters at the May 4th election and issued, based upon financial projections, and given the available information at this time, the estimated tax bill is projected to only increase due to increases in the appraised taxable value of property within the District, not due to an increase in an overall District tax rate.
I have more questions…
Good! The goal of the Board of Directors of FBCMUD 162 is for the residents to have all the information at their disposal when voting approaches. Additional questions can be fielded through the “Contact Us” form on the District’s website www.ontheprairie.com/contact-us
Stay in Touch with Us
The Board of Directors of FBCMUD 162 want to provide excellent communication and transparency. Stay up to date about the District by visiting the Election tab on the District website here: www.ontheprairie.com