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Residents urge Williamson County to put Somerset Hills Road District bond revocation on November ballot
Summary
More than a dozen Somerset Hills Road District No. 4 residents told the Williamson County Commissioner’s Court they want a November ballot proposition to rescind up to $45 million in unissued bond authority, and asked the court to pause future spending and add regular status updates to the agenda.
Several residents of Somerset Hills Road District No. 4 pressed the Williamson County Commissioner’s Court on June 16 for immediate action to limit future tax risk and improve transparency.
Sharon Reed, a Sun City resident since 1976, told the court her group’s research found “a huge unlimited tax based on $25,000,000 of bonds that have been sold” and alleged the district has up to $45,000,000 in unused bond authorizations that could create long-term tax obligations for property owners. “We’re asking you now to let us vote to rescind the remaining $45,000,000 in unused 2,008 bond approvals…via the November election,” Reed said, handing the court a petition she said had more than 1,300 signatures.
Other speakers described similar concerns. Don Mendel said he will publish a public website to explain the issues and cited Texas property code section 5.008 on seller disclosure, the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and the Texas Open Records Act in urging transparency. John Bodner said his road taxes were about $1,800 last year and that outstanding district bonds were roughly $23,000,000; he warned that selling another $25,000,000–$45,000,000 in bonds could double or triple tax bills for some homeowners.
Paul Hoffman, who said more than 1,300 homeowners signed a petition, outlined three requests for the court: add a recurring agenda item to track referendum progress through August, provide a list of required milestones to get a proposition on the November ballot, and pause further spending for the district until voters can decide. “This pause protects the homeowners and the county from future disputes,” he said.
Commissioner Covey responded that she has not forgotten the issue, that she is meeting with neighborhood representatives the next day and plans to place the matter on a future Commissioner’s Court agenda. The judge and staff offered to follow up individually; court staff said the county’s OSSF (onsite sewage) division and constable’s office were already addressing other neighborhood concerns raised during public comment.
What’s next: Residents asked the court to act by mid‑August so a rescission measure could appear on the November ballot. The court did not vote on any of those requests at the meeting; Commissioner Covey said staff and commissioners would continue meeting with neighborhood representatives and report back to the court.
