The United Corpus Christi Chamber Board is in favor of the proposed Bond 2024 Program and sales tax propositions on the November ballot. These initiatives represent a strategic investment in Corpus Christi’s future, aiming to improve key infrastructure such as streets, parks, and public safety facilities, all while maintaining the current city property tax rate. The sales tax propositions focus on enhancing arterial streets and community facilities promoting a thriving business environment and enriching the quality of life for all residents.

2024 Proposed Bond Program

The Proposed Bond 2024 Program is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all Corpus Christi residents. From a business and community standpoint, this program represents a critical investment in our City’s infrastructure, focusing on improving streets, parks, public safety facilities, and cultural venues. Importantly, these vital enhancements can be accomplished without increasing the city property tax rate, making it a fiscally responsible plan that supports a thriving business environment and a vibrant community.

Proposition A: Streets

Proposition A Ballot Language: The issuance of bonds for designing, demolishing, constructing, renovating, improving, reconstructing, restructuring, extending and making permanent street, sidewalk, drainage and any related improvements in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $89,500,000, and levying a tax for the payment of principal and interest thereof, with priority given to the following residential streets; North Beach Road Improvements, including Beach Avenue and Gulfspray Avenue; Rand Morgan Road, generally from McNorton Road to Interstate 37; Sam Rankin Road, generally from Port Avenue to Interstate 37; South Staples Access Road, generally from Annapolis Drive to Kostoryz Road; Allencrest Drive, generally from Ayers Street to deadend; Schanen Boulevard, generally from Weber Road to Everhart Road; Holly Road, generally from Ennis Joslin Road to Paul Jones Avenue; Graham Road, generally from Flour Bluff Drive to Waldron Road; Tara Subdivision, including Armitage Drive, Audobon Drive, Riata Drive, Riata Circle, Richland Street, Rosedown Drive; JFK Causeway Access Road and Parking Improvements; Cimarron Boulevard, generally from Bison Drive/Grenoble Drive to Legacy Point; Acushnet Drive, generally from Weber Road to Saratoga Boulevard; Lipes Boulevard, generally from Airline Road to Bronx Drive; Grand Junction Drive, generally from Wapentate Drive to Cedar Pass Drive; Rodd Field Road, generally from Yorktown Boulevard to Adler Drive; Brooke Road, generally from Rodd Field Road to Ametrine Road; DS 5 Trail Connectivity

Proposition B: Parks & Recreation

Proposition B Ballot Language: The issuance of bonds for designing, demolishing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding and equipping park and recreational facilities in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $37,650,000 and levying a tax for the payment of principal and interest thereof, with priority given to the following: Oso Golf Center Clubhouse, TC Ayers Aquatic Center, Labonte Park, Sherrill Veterans Memorial Park, Greenwood Sports Complex, St. Andrews Park, Cole Park, Commodores Park, Peary Place Park, Bill Witt Park, Dimmit Pier Boat Ramp

Proposition C: Public Safety

Proposition C Ballot Language: The issuance of bonds for designing, demolishing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding, upgrading and equipping public safety facilities in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $45,000,000 and levying a tax for the payment of principal and interest thereof, with priority given to the following: Corpus Christi Fire Station #8, Corpus Christi Fire Station #9, Corpus Christi Fire Station #10, Corpus Christi Fire Station #11, Corpus Christi Police Substation – Far South, Corpus Christi Police Substation – Northwest, Corpus Christi Police Substation – South/Central

Proposition D: Cultural Facilities

Proposition D Ballot Language: The issuance of bonds for designing, demolishing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding, upgrading and equipping City cultural facilities in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,850,000 and levying a tax for the payment of principal and interest thereof, with priority given to the following: Community/ Senior Center Complex ( including Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia Library), Historical Houses in Heritage Park

Sales Tax Reauthorization

City of Corpus Christi residents and visitors currently pay the maximum 8.25 cents per $1 of certain goods and services for sales and use tax. Of this, 6.25 cents is allocated to the state and up to 2 cents is used for local purposes. On August 13, 2024, City Council approved two reauthorization purposes of the sales tax to be presented to voters in November.

Proposition E: Arterial & Collector Streets and Recreational & Community Facilities

Proposition E Ballot Language: Repurposing the expiring Type A sales and use tax of 1/8 of 1% (being 0.125 cents per $1) for arena improvements by the adoption of a Type B sales and use tax at the rate of 1/8 of 1% (being 0.125 cents per $1), with annual sales tax collections being allocable in the indicated percentages to be used for infrastructure improvement projects pertaining to City-wide arterial and collector streets (50%) and the city-owned recreational and community facilities within the Sports, Entertainment and Arts District (to wit: Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, the Art Museum of South Texas, the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures and Education Center, the Harbor Playhouse, the Water Garden) and the Selena Auditorium, the Convention Center, and the Arena (50%), each as authorized by the Development Corporation Act and available to Type B corporations, for a term of 20 years.

Proposition F: City-wide Flood Control, Drainage, & Coastal Resiliency

City-wide stormwater, flood control, drainage, and coastal resiliency projects as well as maintenance and improvements of the downtown seawall structure.

Proposition F Ballot Language: Repurposing the expiring Type A sales and use tax of 1/8 of 1% (being 0.125 cents per $1) for seawall improvements by the adoption of a Type B sales and use tax at the rate of 1/8 of 1% (being 0.125 cents per $1), with annual sales tax collections being used for infrastructure improvement projects pertaining to downtown seawall flood control structures and other City-wide flood control, drainage, stormwater, and coastal resiliency projects, as authorized by the Development Corporation Act and available to Type B corporations, for a term of 20 years.

United Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Supports CCISD Bond Program

The United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce fully supports CCISD’s 2024 Bond Election, which addresses critical safety concerns, the modernization of outdated schools and facilities, and comes with no tax increase for citizens. Regular bond elections, such as this one, also promote stability for contractors bidding on large infrastructure projects, potentially reducing costs. Therefore, the Chamber stands in favor of CCISD’s Bond 2024 for the benefit of the community.

Are you registered to vote?

KEY DATES:

• First Day of Early Voting: Monday. October 21, 2024
• Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail: Friday, October 25, 2024
• Last Day of Early Voting: Friday, November 1, 2024
• Last Day to Receive ballot by Mail: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
• Election Day: Tuesday, November 5, 2024