Plano officials outline $647M bond referendum for road repairs and infrastructure improvements

The Telephone Town Hall held on April 10, 2025, in Plano, Texas, focused on the city's proposed $647 million bond referendum, the largest in its history. The meeting addressed key concerns from residents regarding road repairs and budget transparency.

During the session, a resident named Anthony raised concerns about the condition of local roads, specifically mentioning potholes on thoroughfares like Ohio and Parker. Abby Owens, the Director of Public Works, responded that the bond would fund approximately 40 miles of concrete repairs and overlays over its duration. She emphasized that while pothole patching is a temporary solution, the city aims to coordinate repairs with upcoming projects to avoid redundant work.

Another resident, Michael, requested greater transparency regarding the city budget. The officials reassured attendees that the budget is accessible online at plano.gov/budget, and additional information about the bond can be found at plano.gov/2025bond.

The discussion also touched on the implications of delaying projects to save costs. Budget Director Karen Rhodes Willie explained that postponing the bond projects could lead to increased costs due to inflation, referencing past experiences during the economic recession when project expenses surged. City Manager Mark Israelson added that delaying projects could worsen road conditions, underscoring the urgency of the bond proposal.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to address residents' concerns and ensure that the bond would lead to significant improvements in daily life for Plano residents. The city officials encouraged ongoing communication and engagement from the community as they move forward with the bond initiative.