Published: November 01, 2009 12:55 pm      

Amendments, local issues on Tuesday ballot

Tuesday brings several elections, one of which affects all county residents and others that affect residents in Joshua, Keene and Rio Vista.

County voters are encouraged to join fellow Texans and vote on 11 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.

Proposed amendments include changes to property tax and eminent domain rules, funding for research universities in Texas, amendments affecting military bases, service men and women, veterans and other proposals.



Joshua

Joshua voters will weigh in on three city bond elections.

Proposition 1 involves issuance of $2.7 million in bonds to finance a new fire station.

Proposition 2 involves $850,000 in bonds to finance street, curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements.

Proposition 3 involves $2.6 million in bonds to finance drainage improvements.



Keene City Council

Three council seats are up for election on Tuesday, but only one race is contested.

Candidates for the Ward II, Place I seat are former Keene Councilman Dale Janes, Cheryl Schram and David McCormick.

Councilmen John Ackermann and Chad Aden are unopposed in their re-election bids.



Keene ISD

Keene ISD voters will vote on a proposed ratification of the ISD’s property tax rate for the current fiscal year. The rate, $1.3823 per $100 of property valuation will remain the same regardless of which way the vote goes. But the vote, depending on the outcome, could result in a difference of $776,000 to the district.

KISD Superintendent Kevin Sellers said the district is asking voters to swap 13 cents from the interest and sinking portion of the tax rate for 13 cents on the maintenance and operation side.

Approval would make the interest and sinking portion 21 cents and the maintenance of operation portion $1.17.

“M and O pennies are worth more than I and S pennies, partly because M and O can be used to service the debt,” Sellers said. “Taking the M and O from $1.04 to $1.17 will mean $776,000 extra to the district.”



Rio Vista option

Rio Vista voters will weigh in on an option calling for the legal sale of liquor within city limits for off-premise consumption. Tuesday marks the latest of several such elections in Rio Vista in recent years. Voters rejected the proposal in several elections and approved it in two. Judges subsequently voided both elections in which the measure passed.



Rio Vista ISD

Rio Vista ISD voters will vote on a $9.95 million bond. Bond funds will, in part, finance construction crucial to compliance with state-mandated curriculum such as four year math and science requirements. Funds would be used to build a new science lab and classrooms.

Funds would also be used to expand the school’s band hall and for other projects.