Lake Jackson staff outline $8M‑$?M bond proposals focusing on thoroughfares, drainage and public-safety repairs

City staff presented a three-part bond package under consideration by the City of Lake Jackson that would fund a panel-replacement program for main thoroughfares, drainage projects and repairs to public-safety facilities including the police and fire stations.

Modesto Mundo, the staff presenter, told the Planning Commission the city identified 12 thoroughfares for a panel replacement program that was estimated at about $6.3 million in current dollars and roughly $8 million when adjusted for five years of inflation. "We have not looked at residential streets. We're trying to concentrate on the thoroughfares," Mundo said, summarizing the evaluation that led to the request.

Mundo said the drainage package would include outfall enlargements on Oyster Creek Drive and other work; he noted a $2.1 million grant for piping under one ditch (identified as Pine Ditch) but said the city estimates far more drainage work is needed overall. "We probably have at least $60,000,000 worth of drainage projects," Mundo said. The staff presentation included a plan to address immediate outfall and pan-bottom improvements and identified additional ditches as future candidates for work.

The facilities portion of the proposal would address building repairs and shortfalls at the police and fire department facilities. Mundo said the police station needs about $3 million of work, including roof replacement, chiller work and a grant match for generators; voters approved $2.4 million for the police station in 2021, leaving an estimated $800,000 shortfall under current cost estimates. Repairs at Fire Station No. 1 were estimated at roughly $2.5–3.0 million, including mechanical and exhaust-system work.

Mundo said the city plans to sell the bond issues together in the first year rather than phasing projects over five years as in the 2021 package. He walked commissioners through an estimated tax-rate impact described as an interest-and-sinking (I&S) increase expressed in cents; staff provided examples of household impacts but figures were presented conversationally and vary depending on home value. Mundo said early voting dates and the election timeline would be published; the general election date referenced in the presentation was May 3.

Commissioners asked about schedule, scope and whether state or future law changes could alter voter requirements for tax-rate increases; staff said the currently discussed proposals are for bond financing and that recent legislative proposals under discussion at the state level would not change bond-issue thresholds at this time. Mundo said the city's intent is to provide clear information to boards and the public, and staff will produce web and mail outreach to explain project scopes and tax impacts.

No formal action or vote on the bond proposals occurred at the commission meeting; staff presented the plan for discussion and outreach.