Alice council calls $10 million bond election for Nov. 4 and authorizes county administration

The Alice City Council voted Aug. 6 to call a bond election for Nov. 4, 2025, placing two measures before voters: Measure A (about $9,000,000 for street improvements) and Measure B (about $1,000,000 for quality-of-life projects), for a total of approximately $10,000,000.

Don Gonzales, representing Estradina Hossa, and Matt Luhan presented the financing plan, describing a 30-year structure with an illustrative interest rate of 5.67 percent and projections that show a modest I&S tax-rate increase beginning in 2027. Gonzales said the illustrative analysis shows the I&S rate rising by roughly 6¢ to just under 29¢ by 2027; presenters noted that the precise impact will depend on the interest rate at issuance and certified taxable values in July 2026. The presentation also estimated that an average homestead would see about a $100 annual increase under the illustrative assumptions and that the tax burden would split roughly 48% residential and 52% nonresidential.

A council member moved to adopt the ordinance calling the bond election as presented; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The council also authorized the city to enter an election-administration agreement with Jim Wells County and authorized the city manager to execute necessary agreements and amendments; presenters described a county administration estimate of about 23,000–26,000 voters to be served for administration cost estimates.

Gonzales and bond counsel said they are accounting for legislative changes that will take effect on Sept. 1 and urged city officials to keep public communications factual during the campaign. The transcript does not include a roll-call vote; motions were approved by voice vote.