Prosper bond committee recommends $184 million package for streets, police, library, parks and service center

A citizen bond committee recommended a roughly $184 million, no-tax-rate-increase bond package for Prosper to place before voters on Nov. 4, 2025, the committee chair and town staff told the Town Council on July 22.

The package, which the committee prioritized after about 10 months of meetings and tours, proposes about $84.3 million for streets, $34.2 million for a new or expanded library, $29 million for a police facility expansion, $24 million for parks and recreation projects, $10 million toward a permanent public works and parks service center, and funding for historic silo renovations. "I can say with absolute confidence that our recommendations ensure this bond package truly reflects the diverse voices and interests of our community," Kevin Green, chair of the bond committee, told the council.

The recommendation aims to keep the town's debt service rate at or below the existing $0.18 figure so there is "no tax rate increase," Bob Scott, a town staff member who presented the process to council, said. The committee structured the proposal around a 20-year debt schedule and assumed ongoing assessed-valuation growth and occasional refundings to stay within that debt service limit.

Why it matters: If council places the proposal on the November ballot and voters approve it, the bond would fund large capital work across Prosper for the next several years. Staff and committee members said the plan tries to balance infrastructure needs with community amenities after the 2020 bond heavily favored streets.

What the committee recommended and why The committee began the prioritization process with an initial capacity estimate near $165 million and later increased the package to about $184 million to include additional projects. Committee members told the council they rebalanced the initial 55/45 infrastructure-to-amenities split to roughly 45/55 because some major infrastructure projects were completed or already in progress from the 2020 bond.

Streets: Staff presented a prioritized list of about nine high-priority road projects and two roundabouts that are largely shovel-ready or in right-of-way acquisition. The committee recommended about $84.3 million for streets, with staff noting much of the remaining work is closer to construction than design.

Police facility: The committee recommended $29 million to expand the town's police campus. A space-needs assessment by GFF Design shows the original station (built in 2018) is under 23,000 square feet and that projected staffing and population growth would drive a long-term campus need of roughly 85,400 square feet. "The large addition to the building on the east side is slated to support all personnel needs for the police department for the foreseeable future," Jason Cave, a project architect with GFF Design, said. The committee approved a hybrid option that shells the second floor rather than fully building it out immediately, a decision the presenters said reduced the package cost by roughly $3.5 million.

Library: The bond package includes approximately $34.2 million for a new or expanded library of about 33,000 square feet. A library representative told council the library's programs and attendance have grown sharply (a 40% year-over-year increase in program attendance was cited), and the recommendation favors a flexible, phased design near downtown that could be open seven days a week. Staff estimated operating costs to rise by about $200,000 annually if the new facility expands hours and services; current library operations were cited at roughly $900,000 per year.

Parks and recreation: The committee recommended $24 million for parks and recreation, with the largest single item an activation-phase community park estimated at $15 million (features to include turf athletic fields, a playground, parking and restrooms). The recommendation also includes roughly $2.7 million for trail and bridge connections, $1.5 million to replace wood bridges on the Doe Branch mountain bike trail, $2.5 million for playground development and replacement, and funding for multiple tennis/pickleball courts across town.

Public works/service center: The bond package earmarks $10 million toward a permanent Public Works and Parks service center. Staff said the full buildout for the long-term facility is likely larger than $10 million (design estimates discussed during the meeting showed a larger total cost if fully built now), and explained the town proposes a mix of cash funding and bond support so that an initial phase could be completed and later phases could be value-engineered or phased based on available funds.

Historic silo work: The package also includes funds for renovation and preservation of the downtown silos, including roof and exterior repairs, removal or repair of conveyors and elevators, lighting/wash lighting around the silos, protective coatings, and a security fence. Staff provided engineering estimates for elements such as new roof panels, coatings, lighting (a wash-lighting vendor quote discussed during the meeting was about $900,000) and contingencies; staff said demolition of the elevator would reduce some costs while preserving the elevator would require additional structural work.

Process, next steps and committee status Council was advised the August 12 meeting is the deadline under state law to call the November election. Staff said if the council moves to place the proposals on the ballot, the town would typically disband the official council-appointed bond committee after a final meeting, though citizens may form independent committees to advocate for or against the measures. "Once their work basically concludes tonight ... the official bond committee stops," Bob Scott said. Staff also said it will remain available to provide information to any citizen groups about the proposals and their costs.

What council members asked and cautioned Council members pressed staff on details including the balance between facilities and infrastructure, the level of design readiness for street projects, and whether library operating costs were adequately budgeted. Staff repeatedly cautioned that several project cost estimates assume phased approaches and that the town would try to cash-fund some work where possible to reduce bond ask. Councilors noted the committee met repeatedly and toured comparable facilities to inform choices.

Ending: The July 22 presentation was informational; council was not taking final action on the bond package at the meeting. Town staff said the item could return for a council vote at the Aug. 12 meeting if council chooses to call the Nov. 4 election for the proposed bond package.