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What is the basic information about the Parks And Open Spaces Proposition #2?
The proposition will authorize the County Commissioners the ability to issue up to $17 million in bonds for the purchase of land for future open spaces and parks. This space can be designated open space nature areas, public parks and recrerational facilities or bike and hike trails. Most projects require a minimum of 50% matching funds from cities or non-profit organizations but can be also in unincorporated areas as well.
If approved by the voters, this program will help continue the "Six Cities Trail Plan," created to link the hiking and biking paths in the cities of Allen, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, Plano, and Richardson. and to expand it into a regional plan.
Each project will be individually approved by the Commissioners Court as they are submitted for evaluation. Parks and open spaces have defined the quality of life in Collin County and has been an accelerator in the growth of the County.
Why is there not a specific list of projects?
The objective is to buy land for future projects at affordable prices now. Each City is developing master plans that will target specific projects and will submit them to the County for co-participation. At this time, no specfic proposals exist and the Commissioner Court is requesting that the voters give them the authority and budget to continue park and open spaces for the future. Each will be presented through the Commissioner's Court with public comments.
Who prepared the Park and Open Space Proposition recommendation?
The committee was composed of George Duport, vice-chair, Colleen Egan, chair, Cynthia Coldren, Becky Airhart-Smith, Robert Dry, Zelda Goldwyn, Charlie Gaines, and Pete Hosp.
How type of projects have been approved in the past?
The 1999 and 2003 parks and open space bond programs have returned over twice the investment of funds into them. It is estimated that the cities and towns within Collin County will spend $148 million in the parks and open space acquisitions in the next five years.
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Bratcher Park
Blue Ridge
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Old Celina Park
Celina
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W. Rowlett Hike/Bike Trail
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How will the passage of the
bond affect my property taxes?
Once approved by the voters, the bonds are sold in installments by project or groups of projects over the next five years. Each project is again evaluated in detail in the Commissioners Court and authorized one by one over the next five to six years, depending on need and revenue.
With the projected growth of Collin County, which drives the growth of revenue from property taxes, no increase in taxes is projected. If growth in the County were to slow, the Commissioners Court can slow the issuance of bonds and projects to meet growth rates.
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