Hood County commissioners vote down May call for $21 million jail bond after heated debate

A motion to place a $21 million bond to build a new Hood County jail on the May 3, 2025 ballot failed in a 3‑2 vote on Feb. 11 after an extended presentation and public comment.

Financial adviser Jim Sabonis of Hilltop Securities told the court the county’s credit rating is high and that a $21 million limited tax permanent improvement bond could be structured so the county’s interest and sinking (I&S) debt service rate would remain essentially unchanged in the immediate year, while preserving future tax capacity. Sabonis presented a 20‑year financing scenario using a 4.10% assumed interest rate that produced roughly $30.4 million in principal and interest over the life of the issue.

The debate turned on timing and outreach. Several residents and county officials urged a May election because they said the county is already paying more than $1.5 million a year to house inmates out of county and is incurring substantial transportation costs. "If we keep doing what we're doing, for instance, 170,000 miles were put on county vehicles, transferring prisoners out of county, with a cost of, like, $466,000," Thomas McElroy told the court. Tina Brown, who said she had run county numbers via open records, said the county’s out‑of‑county housing costs last year were roughly $1.8 million.

Others, including some commissioners and residents, urged delaying to the November general election to allow more time to inform voters and to avoid the risk of another failed special election. "If we sit down and explore these options ... let's get the feedback from people," one commissioner said. Several speakers also noted pending legislation in Austin that could restrict or place moratoria on calling another bond election after a failed referendum; the bill House Bill 2207 was referenced during the discussion as one that would change related Government Code provisions. Sabonis and court members said they would follow up with bond counsel Rudy for details on bill language and retroactivity.

Commissioner Wilson moved to call the election to fund a 161‑bed new facility with the option to add up to 32 beds and announced a debt service rate figure for the measure; the motion was seconded and put to a voice vote. After further discussion of operating costs, staffing needs and long‑term fiscal impacts, the clerk announced "Measure fails 3 to 2." The court did not record individual roll‑call votes in the transcript.

The failure leaves the county continuing to rely on out‑of‑county housing contracts for inmates while commissioners consider whether to revisit the question on a later ballot. Several speakers and commissioners said they would prefer to develop a fuller business case and voter education campaign before asking voters again. Sabonis said his office would provide follow‑up documentation and bond counsel would be asked to confirm statutory timing and the specifics of pending legislation.

The motion to call the bond election, the financing assumptions presented by the county’s adviser, and public comments were the central elements of the day’s debate. The court moved on to other agenda items after the vote.