(Seguin) — Early voting for the May 4th election in Texas ends today. Locally, there are two major issues on the ballot for some voters.
The Navarro ISD is asking voters to consider approval of a $120 million bond issue. The bond projects include the construction of a new elementary school. It also calls for new athletic facilities, including new football, baseball, softball, and tennis facilities.
Navarro ISD Superintendent Mandy Epley, speaking recently on KWED’s Saturday Topic program, says the projects were all recommended by the district’s facilities committee and are designed to deal with the rapid growth that’s coming to the Navarro ISD.
“We have a demographer that works with the district. He reports to us quarterly and we’re able to see how new subdivisions are coming in and how that may impact us as far as new students and new families being part of the Navarro ISD. So, in our third quarter report, he gave us an estimate that we would see in five years approximately 3,960 students. So currently, we see a record high of 2,438 students. So obviously (there is) growth there, but I think the number that prompted us to really look at a facilities planning committee, for the next 10 years, was the 10 year projection of over 6,000 students (coming) to the district,” said Epley.
Epley says the district is trying to share the facts behind their decision to place the bond on the ballot. She says it’s now up to the voters to decide if this is a worthy investment to make into the district.
“We brought a plan — that is supported by the committee…that, like I said, is made-up of the stakeholders of this district — to our board of trustees. As always, we considered our taxpayers and what they’re looking for, and always consider our students, and be proactive about how we look at the district. I think that what I would tell folks is — I can’t tell you how to vote. That is not my role. My role is to give you the facts and my role is to tell you that you do have the opportunity to have your voice heard. So, I encourage you, as a taxpayer in Navarro ISD, to go to the polls and to let your voice be heard. We want to make sure we are doing the will of the people of Navarro ISD. So again, if you need facts, we’re here for that and we want you to go in and let us know by your vote,” said Epley.
It’s also election time for members of a local water provider. Voters, who reside within the boundaries of the Springs Hill Water Supply Corporation, are also being asked to consider approval of a substantial change for the water provider. Springs Hill wants to convert itself into a special utility district.
Springs Hill General Manager Mike Andrews says growth is also a major factor for the water corporation and converting to a SUD will give them more options to meet the growing demands for water in their service area.
“Springs Hill Water is a private not-for-profit company. We’re still regulated by the Public Utility Commission and the TCEQ, just like every other water company or municipal water (provider). So, from a quality perspective, it’s no different. But there are water companies out there who sell water. GBRA is a great example. Canyon Regional Water Authority is another great example. In many cases, to support those organizations and to sell water, they will issue bonds to raise money so they can do that. If they do that — per IRS regulations, they can only sell to other municipalities or to state or local government agencies. And then after everything they sell and if they have some left over — as I tell people — I’m sitting at the kids table waiting for whatever scraps are left over water wise. So, one of the big reasons we wanted to become a SUD is that suddenly we get to go to the adults table and I’m on equal footing with the city of Santa Clara or with Green Valley SUD, or with the city of Seguin,” said Andrews.
Early voting runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and tomorrow across Guadalupe County. The polls will also be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day this Saturday.
Early voting locations include the Guadalupe County Elections Office in Seguin, the Central Texas Technology Center, Redemptive Grace Ministries, the Schertz Community Center, Selma City Hall and the New Berlin City Hall.