Bee Cave council approves CO notice for $17.98M public safety project, matches $6,000 arts grant and backs Highway 71 median changes

The Bee Cave City Council on Tuesday approved publishing notice of intent to issue up to $17,980,000 of certificates of obligation to help fund a new public safety facility, voted to match a $6,000 Texas Commission on the Arts grant for the Bee Cave Sculpture Park and took several other routine and project votes.

The council unanimously approved a resolution to begin the legal and financial steps needed to issue certificates of obligation (COs) to finance construction of the new joint public safety facility that will be shared with Lake Travis Fire Rescue. City staff said the action starts the financing process but does not obligate the city to sell debt; council will consider bids and a final sale later this summer.

Why it matters: The CO authorization is the first formal finance step for a project council members repeatedly described as long overdue. City officials said the notice will allow the city to obtain a municipal bond rating and market the offering to investors before council decides whether to proceed with sales and awards.

Council actions and context

- Certificates of obligation notice (up to $17,980,000): The council passed a resolution authorizing publication and posting of a notice of intent to issue COs for the new public safety facility, equipment and related professional services. City manager Julie Oakley and the city's financial adviser and bond counsel were present to describe the timeline; staff said they expect to return with bids in July for council consideration. Julia Houston (bond counsel, ORIC) and Jennifer Ritter (Specialized Public Finance) answered technical questions. Oakley said the process "starts the process" and that the city can still change course later in the timeline.

- Sculpture Park match…