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2023 Bond Election
On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, the Seabrook City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2023-19 "Calling A Special Bond Election to be Held Within the City of Seabrook, Texas; Making Provisions for the Conduct and the Giving of Notice of the Special Election"; The bond package will be broken into three (3) propositions for voters to consider. The propositions focus on a new Public Safety Building, expansion renovations of the Seabrook Fire Station, and the purchase of a new fire engine.
Bond Election Information
- Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023
- Location: Seabrook City Hall, FIrst Floor, Council Chambers, 1700 First Street, Seabrook, Texas 77586
- Time: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Documents and Notices
Documentos y Avisos / Tài liệu và thông báo / 文件和通知
Sample Ballot
- Sample Ballot - English/Spanish (Boleta de Muestra)
- Sample Ballot - English/Vietnamese (Lá phiếu mẫu)
- Sample Ballot - English/Chinese (選票樣本)
Election Ordinance - Ordinance No. 2023-19
Notice of Election
Public Notice of Test of Automatic Tabulating Equipment
English / Español / Tiếng Việt / 中國人
1st Notice of Delivery of Early Voting Balloting Materials
English / Español / Tiếng Việt / 中國人
2nd Notice of Delivery of Early Voting Balloting Materials
- What is a Bond Election? How does it work?
-
For a city to pay for larger capital project, cities sell bonds to pay for the projects. Bonds are sold to investors who looking for a stable return in the future on the money they invest today. The city commits to repay the bondholders with interest over a specific time period (often twenty years). Because the repayment is several years, the city only uses bonds for projects that will have a life span of multiple years, like roads, parks and buildings. The city strives to typically put bond programs forth to the voters every 5-7 years.
- Will this bond program raise my taxes if all three bond propositions are approved?
-
The exact increase in property taxes will depend on the taxable value of your property, the total bond amount, and the timing of when the bonds are issued. Other variables that could cause the total amount to change over time include if the city is able to refinance the bonds at a future date in time (no earlier than 10 years after they are originally issued), any changes in the exemptions that are given, and the annual tax rate that is set.
The below examples show what the property taxes would be for a house of a given value with the state exemptions. T This information should be used as estimates only.
An example assuming all bonds are issued in the full amount authorized: A resident whose home is valued at $277,650 whose taxable home value after the homestead exemption is $222,120 is set to pay an additional $45.64 annually or a tax rate impact of approximately $ .02055 to the debt portion of the city's property tax rate.
- When will these projects be constructed?
-
The bond program is intended to last for 5 years. If the bond program is approved by voters, the City anticipates selling the first and majority of the debt from this program in 2024. The design fees and construction costs for the proposed Public Safety and Municipal Court facility and the expansion for the Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management Department for approximately $30,100,000 of the total would require the bulk of the proceeds. In 2026, the City project to sell the remaining portion of the total bond program as the Fire Truck and Fire Training Tower are completed. If approved, a more specific schedule, showing when individual projects are planned to begin would be developed. Due to the high fees that full design and architectural drawings are for facilities, the full design cost would not be approved until results of bond election.
- Who decided that these specific projects would be part of the bond program?
-
Starting in strategic planning in 2021-22, the city council began discussing the facility needs of its first responder departments. It was approved through a special Public Safety Fund to employ architects to look at the current and projected needs of the Public Safety, Municipal Court, EMS, and Emergency Management Departments and develop a feasibility study to program what type of building and square footage would be needed.
Staff released two Request for Qualifications (RFQs) and council approved hiring BRW Architects to look at the EMS and Emergency Management Departments facility needs and Randall Scott Architects for the Public Safety and Municipal Court needs. Through the summer, staff within these departments continued to work with the firms to refine the needs and get a fiscally sound proposal for the facilities before city council. After many renditions and reductions, council approved the conceptual plans that are Proposition A and C.
Proposition C items were presented to city council through the budget process with the input and direction of the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department and staff. Large apparatus such as the proposed fire truck (pumper) have a life span of approximately 20 years and have been added to the city's long term capital planning document. This project did not have another funding source and city council approved moving forward with bond proceeds for the first apparatus need. The second item for the training tower was recently added as a capital project, but the long term benefits to the community for fire insurance rating prioritized this project to advancement on this bond program.
- Who do I contact for more information?
-
Please call Public Affairs at 281-291-5600 or send an email to citycomm@seabrooktx.gov and we will forward it to the person who can best answer your question.
Proposition A - Public Safety and Municipal Court Facility
Proposed Project
- Design and build a new 100-year Police Station that meets the required safety standards for the public, employees, and equipment.
- Design and build, within the same building structure, a Municipal Court Department to include required safety requirements for a Court Chambers.
- Relocate the Seabrook Police Department and Seabrook Municipal Court Department to the facility.
- Design and incorporate, within the building, dual-use Court Chambers that will also accommodate City Council, Board and Commission Meetings, Executive Room space, and audio-visual equipment.
The current Police Department, located at 1400 Cook Street, opened in 1996 to serve the entire city and house the full department, including 9-1-1 Dispatch Services, Jail Facilities, Evidence Storage, and Criminal Investigative Division. This 27-year-old building has design challenges for a modern police department in addition to a shortage of space with the growth of the department and volume of calls. The existing site is located on the first floor on the east side of SH 146 and during Hurricane Ike, the Police Department suffered a catastrophic loss when a storm surge inundated the entire department’s office space, 9-1-1 equipment, and evidence storage. The Seabrook Municipal Court Department offices, on the second floor of the existing 1996 City Hall complex, uses the City Council Chambers for court proceedings and the Council Executive Conference Room for meeting with jurors and/or Prosecutors. The volume of the Municipal Court has increased since the building first opened and when at peak performance, creates space and safety conflicts with the current code for Municipal Judge, Bailiff, court staff, and attendees.
Proposition A - Ballot Language
City of Seabrook - Proposition A
Shall the City Council of the City of Seabrook, Texas (the “City”) be authorized to issue bonds, in one or more series, in a principal amount not to exceed $27,800,000 maturing serially or otherwise over a period of years (not to exceed the lesser of 40 years or the maximum prescribed by law) and bearing interest at such rate or rates (fixed, floating, variable or otherwise), not to exceed the respective limits prescribed by law at the time of issuance, as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and to levy, impose and pledge a tax upon all taxable property in the City sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds, and to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the bonds as they mature, for the purpose of making permanent public improvements, as follows:constructing, acquiring, improving, renovating, expanding, developing and equipping a Public Safety Building to house a Public Safety Department, a Court Department and a City Council meeting area, and all matters incident or necessary thereto
CIUDAD DE SEABROOK, TEXAS - PROPOSICIÓN A
¿Se deberá autorizar al Consejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Seabrook, Texas (la “Ciudad”)
a emitir bonos, en una serie o más, en la cantidad de capital que no exceda $27,800,000
con vencimiento en serie o de otra manera a lo largo de un período de años (sin exceder el
menor de 40 años o el máximo prescrito por ley) y devengando interés a alguna tasa o tasas
(fijas, flotantes, variables u otras), sin exceder los límites respectivos prescritos por ley al
momento de emisión, como será determinado según el criterio del Consejo Municipal al
momento de emisión, y a gravar, imponer y comprometer un impuesto sobre toda
propiedad gravable en la Ciudad suficiente para pagar el interés sobre los bonos, y para
proveer un fondo de amortización para el pago de los bonos conforme venzan, para el
propósito de realizar mejoras públicas permanentes, a saber: construir, adquirir, mejorar,
renovar, ampliar, desarrollar y equipar un edificio de Seguridad Pública para alojar un
Departamento de Seguridad Pública, un Departamento de Tribunal y un área de reunión
del Consejo Municipal, y todos los asuntos incidentales o necesarios para esto?
THÀNH PHỐ SEABROOK, TEXAS - KẾ HOẠCH ĐỀ NGHỊ A
Hội đồng Thành phố của Thành phố Seabrook, Texas (“Thành phố”) có được phép phát
hành trái phiếu, theo một hoặc nhiều đợt, với số tiền gốc không vượt quá $27,800,000, đáo
hạn theo đợt hoặc theo cách khác trong khoảng thời gian nhiều năm (không được vượt quá
40 năm hoặc mức tối đa theo quy định của pháp luật, thời gian nào ngắn hơn sẽ áp dụng)
và chịu các mức lãi suất (cố định, thả nổi, thay đổi hoặc hình thức khác), không vượt quá
các giới hạn tương ứng theo quy định của pháp luật tại thời điểm phát hành, và sẽ do Hội
đồng Thành phố tùy ý quyết định tại thời điểm phát hành, và đánh thuế đối với tất cả các
bất động sản phải đóng thuế trong Thành phố ở mức đủ để trả lãi suất cho trái phiếu đó, và
cung cấp quỹ dự phòng để chi trả trái phiếu khi đáo hạn, để thực hiện các cải tiến công
cộng lâu dài, như sau: xây dựng, mua lại, cải tiến, tu bổ, mở rộng, phát triển và trang thiết
bị cho Tòa Nhà An Toàn Công Cộng để làm trụ sở cho Phòng An Toàn Công Cộng, Cơ
Quan Tòa án và một khu hội họp của Hội đồng Thành phố, và tất cả các vấn đề liên quan
hoặc cần thiết kèm theo hay không?
TEXAS州SEABROOK市 - 提案A
是否應授權Texas州Seabrook市(下稱「本市」)市議會以一種或多種系列
發行本金總額不超過27,800,000美元的債券,該債券按系列到期或在若干年
期限內到期(不得超過四40年或法律授權的最長年限,以較短者為準),其
所附利率(固定利率、浮動利率、可變利率或其他利率)不得超過發行時法
律規定的相應限額(具體由市議會在發行時酌情確定);且是否授權市議會
對本市所有可徵稅房產徵收充足的稅款(並將其作為擔保)以支付債券產生
的利息,並建立償債基金以償付到期債券;該等債券用於完成永久性公共基
礎建設,具體如下:建造、收購、改善、翻新、擴建、開發和裝備一棟公共
安全大樓,以容納公共安全部門、法院部門和市議會會議區,以及所有附帶
或必要的事項?
Proposition B - Expansion for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Emergency Management Department
Proposed Project
- Expand the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) building at the existing site to include a new dedicated space for EMS, Emergency Management, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
- Relocate EMS Personnel into the expansion area to promote employee well-being through private sleeping and hygiene areas.
- Design a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with modern design and technology.
The current EMS Department is located within the existing Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD), station #1, at 1801 E. Meyer. The EMS Department shares the existing facilities and hygiene areas and has limited dedicated office administration space. The department that was first started in 2019 as the city’s first paid EMS Department is currently utilizing one shift, but as the city grows, there is a possibility of adding a second shift or peak time shift for the department, adding personnel sleeping quarters needs within a single shift. The combined space will incorporate a new EOC (Emergency Operations Center) and an Emergency Management administrative office space. The Director of Emergency Services is responsible for the coordination duties during a man-made or natural disaster and also supervises the EMS Department. The single space will allow not only dedicated and private space for the 24/7 personnel, but it will provide for better collaboration of associated departments and functions.
The current EOC is located on the second floor of the Seabrook City Hall complex built in 1996. After Hurricane Ike, this essential service experienced being in a flood zone that prohibited immediate dispatch and response following a serious storm surge event. The SVFD Station #1 is at an elevation in the city that prohibits inundation during most surge events, therefore, allowing the EOC to be more responsive after such a disaster hits. The location of the SVFD is central to the city, near the corner of SH 146 and E. Meyer, with easy access to the highway and Respdorph traffic circle.
Proposition B - Ballot Language
City of Seabrook - Proposition B
Shall the City Council of the City of Seabrook, Texas (the “City”) be authorized to issue bonds, in one or more series, in a principal amount not to exceed $2,400,000 maturing serially or otherwise over a period of years (not to exceed the lesser of 40 years or the maximum prescribed by law) and bearing interest at such rate or rates (fixed, floating, variable or otherwise), not to exceed the respective limits prescribed by law at the time of issuance, as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and to levy, impose and pledge a tax upon all taxable property in the City sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds, and to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the bonds as they mature, for the purpose of making permanent public improvements, as follows:renovating, expanding, developing and equipping Seabrook Fire Station, including additions for emergency medical services, emergency management services and an emergency operations center, and all matters incident or necessary thereto
CIUDAD DE SEABROOK, TEXAS - PROPOSICIÓN B
¿Se deberá autorizar al Consejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Seabrook, Texas (la “Ciudad”)
a emitir bonos, en una serie o más, en la cantidad de capital que no exceda $2,400,000 con
vencimiento en serie o de otra manera a lo largo de un período de años (sin exceder el
menor de 40 años o el máximo prescrito por ley) y devengando interés a alguna tasa o tasas
(fijas, flotantes, variables u otras), sin exceder los límites respectivos prescritos por ley al
momento de emisión, como será determinado según el criterio del Consejo Municipal al
momento de emisión, y a gravar, imponer y comprometer un impuesto sobre toda
propiedad gravable en la Ciudad suficiente para pagar el interés sobre los bonos, y para
proveer un fondo de amortización para el pago de los bonos conforme venzan, para el
propósito de realizar mejoras públicas permanentes, a saber: renovar, ampliar, desarrollar
y equipar la Estación de Bomberos de Seabrook, incluidas ampliaciones para servicios
médicos de emergencia, servicios de gestión de emergencias y un centro de operaciones de
emergencia, y todos los asuntos incidentales o necesarios para esto?
THÀNH PHỐ SEABROOK, TEXAS - KẾ HOẠCH ĐỀ NGHỊ B
Hội đồng Thành phố của Thành phố Seabrook, Texas (“Thành phố”) có được phép phát
hành trái phiếu, theo một hoặc nhiều đợt, với số tiền gốc không vượt quá $2,400,000, đáo
hạn theo đợt hoặc theo cách khác trong khoảng thời gian nhiều năm (không được vượt quá
40 năm hoặc mức tối đa theo quy định của pháp luật, thời gian nào ngắn hơn sẽ áp dụng)
và chịu các mức lãi suất (cố định, thả nổi, thay đổi hoặc hình thức khác), không vượt quá
các giới hạn tương ứng theo quy định của pháp luật tại thời điểm phát hành, và sẽ do Hội
đồng Thành phố tùy ý quyết định tại thời điểm phát hành, và đánh thuế đối với tất cả các
bất động sản phải đóng thuế trong Thành phố ở mức đủ để trả lãi suất cho trái phiếu đó, và
cung cấp quỹ dự phòng để chi trả trái phiếu khi đáo hạn, để thực hiện các cải tiến công
cộng lâu dài, như sau: tu bổ, mở rộng, phát triển và trang thiết bị cho Trạm Cứu Hỏa
Seabrook, bao gồm việc tăng cường các dịch vụ y tế khẩn cấp, dịch vụ quản lý tình huống
khẩn cấp và một trung tâm hoạt động khẩn cấp, và tất cả các vấn đề liên quan hoặc cần
thiết kèm theo hay không?
TEXAS州SEABROOK市 - 提案B
是否應授權Texas州Seabrook市(下稱「本市」)市議會以一種或多種系列
發行本金總額不超過2,400,000美元的債券,該債券按系列到期或在若干年
期限內到期(不得超過四40年或法律授權的最長年限,以較短者為準),其
所附利率(固定利率、浮動利率、可變利率或其他利率)不得超過發行時法
律規定的相應限額(具體由市議會在發行時酌情確定);且是否授權市議會
對本市所有可徵稅房產徵收充足的稅款(並將其作為擔保)以支付債券產生
的利息,並建立償債基金以償付到期債券;該等債券用於完成永久性公共基
礎建設,具體如下:翻新、擴建、開發和裝備Seabrook消防站,包括增建緊
急醫療服務、緊急管理服務和緊急行動中心,以及所有附帶或必要的事項?
Proposition C - Fire Department Training Tower and New Fire Truck Engine
Proposed Project
- Design and build a new fire training tower to increase training capabilities for the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD).
- Purchase and design a new engine truck for the Seabrook Fire Fleet to replace an end-of-life large apparatus
The Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department currently has property that was donated to the city with the specific purpose of adding future training capabilities for the department. The land located directly across the street from Seabrook Public Works and Animal Control Complex gives ample space and room to include a training tower. The department and its volunteers travel throughout the year to neighboring communities to reserve space and time in other towers. The changing landscape of the City of Seabrook has added, and will continue to add, multi-floor structures increasing the training needs for the current and future volunteers.
The proposed new truck will replace an almost 20-year-old engine that is currently in the Fire Department fleet. Large apparatus equipment takes several years to design, build and ultimately deliver to the department; therefore, forecasting that the existing truck will be at the end of life by the time of any future delivery of new apparatus. The two items in this proposition are items that assist the City in maintaining and improving the rating with the Insurance Services Office (ISO). An ISO score has the ability the affect the insurance premiums.
Proposition C - Ballot Language
City of Seabrook - Proposition C
Shall the City Council of the City of Seabrook, Texas (the “City”) be authorized to issue bonds, in one or more series, in a principal amount not to exceed $1,905,000 maturing serially or otherwise over a period of years (not to exceed the lesser of 40 years or the maximum prescribed by law) and bearing interest at such rate or rates (fixed, floating, variable or otherwise), not to exceed the respective limits prescribed by law at the time of issuance, as shall be determined within the discretion of the City Council at the time of issuance, and to levy, impose and pledge a tax upon all taxable property in the City sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds, and to provide a sinking fund for the payment of the bonds as they mature, for the purpose of making permanent public improvements, as follows:purchasing and equipping a new fire engine and constructing, acquiring, developing and equipping a fire training tower, and all matters incident or necessary thereto
CIUDAD DE SEABROOK, TEXAS - PROPOSICIÓN C
¿Se deberá autorizar al Consejo Municipal de la Ciudad de Seabrook, Texas (la “Ciudad”)
a emitir bonos, en una serie o más, en la cantidad de capital que no exceda $1,905,000 con
vencimiento en serie o de otra manera a lo largo de un período de años (sin exceder el
menor de 40 años o el máximo prescrito por ley) y devengando interés a alguna tasa o tasas
(fijas, flotantes, variables u otras), sin exceder los límites respectivos prescritos por ley al
momento de emisión, como será determinado según el criterio del Consejo Municipal al
momento de emisión, y a gravar, imponer y comprometer un impuesto sobre toda
propiedad gravable en la Ciudad suficiente para pagar el interés sobre los bonos, y para
proveer un fondo de amortización para el pago de los bonos conforme venzan, para el
propósito de realizar mejoras públicas permanentes, a saber: comprar y equipar un nuevo
camión de bomberos y construir, adquirir, desarrollar y equipar una torre de entrenamiento
para bomberos, y todos los asuntos incidentales o necesarios para esto?
THÀNH PHỐ SEABROOK, TEXAS - KẾ HOẠCH ĐỀ NGHỊ C
Hội đồng Thành phố của Thành phố Seabrook, Texas (“Thành phố”) có được phép phát
hành trái phiếu, theo một hoặc nhiều đợt, với số tiền gốc không vượt quá $1,905,000, đáo
hạn theo đợt hoặc theo cách khác trong khoảng thời gian nhiều năm (không được vượt quá
40 năm hoặc mức tối đa theo quy định của pháp luật, thời gian nào ngắn hơn sẽ áp dụng)
và chịu các mức lãi suất (cố định, thả nổi, thay đổi hoặc hình thức khác), không vượt quá
các giới hạn tương ứng theo quy định của pháp luật tại thời điểm phát hành, và sẽ do Hội
đồng Thành phố tùy ý quyết định tại thời điểm phát hành, và đánh thuế đối với tất cả các
bất động sản phải đóng thuế trong Thành phố ở mức đủ để trả lãi suất cho trái phiếu đó, và
cung cấp quỹ dự phòng để chi trả trái phiếu khi đáo hạn, để thực hiện các cải tiến công
cộng lâu dài, như sau: mua và trang bị xe cứu hỏa mới và xây dựng, mua lại, phát triển và
trang bị tháp huấn luyện cứu hỏa, và tất cả các vấn đề liên quan hoặc cần thiết kèm theo
hay không?
TEXAS州SEABROOK市 - 提案C
是否應授權Texas州Seabrook市(下稱「本市」)市議會以一種或多種系列
發行本金總額不超過1,905,000美元的債券,該債券按系列到期或在若干年
期限內到期(不得超過四40年或法律授權的最長年限,以較短者為準),其
所附利率(固定利率、浮動利率、可變利率或其他利率)不得超過發行時法
律規定的相應限額(具體由市議會在發行時酌情確定);且是否授權市議會
對本市所有可徵稅房產徵收充足的稅款(並將其作為擔保)以支付債券產生
的利息,並建立償債基金以償付到期債券;該等債券用於完成永久性公共基
礎建設,具體如下:購置和裝備新的消防車並建造、收購、開發和裝備一個
消防訓練塔,以及所有附帶或必要的事項?
Voter Information
Register to vote on or before October 10, 2023
- Eligibility Requirements
- Obtain a Voter Registration Application
- Confirm your Voter Registration Status
- Where to Register to Vote
Eligibility Requirements
State law requires you to register 30 days prior to the election in which you wish to vote. An applicant’s spouse, parent, or child (acting as an agent) may complete and sign a Voter Registration Application, provided that the agent is a registered voter, or has applied for voter registration.
You may register to vote if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
- Are a United States citizen;
- Are a resident of Harris County;
- Are at least 17 years, 10 months of age (To vote, you must be 18).
- Have not been declared totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction;
- Not finally convicted of a felony, or, if so convicted must have (1) fully discharged the sentence, including any term of incarceration, parole, or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court; or (2) been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disability to vote.
Obtain a Voter Registration Application
Visit any Elections Administrator's Office location and submit your completed, signed form from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Download and print an application:
- English Application Portal | Download
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- Vietnamese Application Download
- Chinese Application Download
Potential voters can also request a postage-paid application from your voter registrar so that a voter registration application can be mailed to you.
Request, via e-mail at voters@harrisvotes.com, and our office will mail a paper application to you. Please provide a mailing address and phone number in your email.
Call 713-274-8200 to be assisted in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, or Chinese.
You can also pick-up an application at your local U.S. Postal office, library, high school, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Texas Health and Human Services Commission and other government offices.
Confirm your Voter Registration Status
You may easily confirm your voter registration status by searching for it on www.harrisvotes.com or the Texas Secretary of State's website. If you are currently living in Harris County but are registered to vote in another county, you must be registered to vote in Harris County at least 30 days prior to Election Day in order to vote in Harris County.
Where to Register to Vote
Registering to vote is fast and easy! Simply complete a Voter Registration Application and mail the signed application (at least 30 days before the election date) to:
Harris County Elections Administrator's Office
P.O. Box 3527
Houston, Texas 77253-3527
City Secretary
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Contact Info
1700 1st St.
Seabrook, TX 77586
Ph: (281) 291-5600
Fax: (281) 291-5690Rachel Lewis
City Secretary
Ph: (281) 291-5663
Email RachelOffice Hours
Mon-Thurs: 7:30 am to 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
EARLY VOTING
October 23 - November 3, 2023
7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
October 25 - 26, 2023
7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
October 28, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
October 29, 2023
No Voting
ELECTION DAY
November 7, 2023
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.