HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — There are more than 60 propositions on the Harris County ballot for the Nov. 5 General and Special Elections.
These propositions will not appear on every Harris County voter's ballot, but here are short explainers of what they are and mean.
Harris County Flood Control District
Harris County Flood Control District, Proposition A
Harris County voters will decide whether to approve a tax rate increase for the Harris County Flood Control District in the November 2024 election.
The proposed rate of $0.04897 per $100 valuation is designed to fund the ongoing maintenance and operation of the district’s flood risk reduction infrastructure.
If this rate were approved, it would be an increase of $0.01581 per $100 valuation versus the current rate. The current rate is $0.03105 per $100 valuation.
Voting options: For/against
City of Bellaire
City of Bellaire, Proposition A
This proposition is asking voters to approve the issuance of $40 million in bonds. The funds will be used for the design, construction, improvement, installation, repair, renovation, and/or acquisition of drainage facilities and improvements. This includes all matters related to or necessary for these projects.
If passed, taxes will be imposed at a level sufficient to repay the principal and interest on these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
City of Bellaire, Proposition B
This proposition seeks voter approval for the issuance of $30 million in bonds. The funds will be allocated for the design, construction, installation, repair, improvement, renovation, expansion, development, and acquisition of water and wastewater facilities and works. This includes all matters related to or necessary for these projects.
If passed, taxes will be imposed at a level sufficient to repay the principal and interest on these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
City of Jersey Village
City of Jersey Village, Proposition A
Proposition A is a measure asking voters to approve the issuance of bonds worth $10,100,000. The purpose of these bonds is to fund the construction of a municipal pool complex. If approved, this proposition will also allow for the imposition of taxes sufficient to cover the repayment of the principal and interest on these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City
There are nine propositions on the Harris County ballot regarding those who reside inside the League City limits.
City of League City, Proposition A
Proposition A seeks to amend Article II, Section 17 of the city charter to give the City Council the authority to determine the bond amount required for the City Secretary.
According to the League City website, the charter was originally written with a fixed bond amount that didn't adjust for inflation or changes in required amounts defined by Texas law. If approved, this change would allow for more flexibility in setting bond amounts as needed.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City, Proposition B
Proposition B aims to amend Article II, Section 18 of the city charter to allow the City Council to set the bond amount for City Council members. This is similar to Proposition A in that it would allow the council to change bind amounts to match requirements and adjust for inflation.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City, Proposition C
Proposition C proposes the amendment of Article III, Section 1 of the city charter to remove outdated references to the 2013 and 2015 election dates, thereby aligning the charter language with the current practice of holding biennial elections.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City, Proposition D
Proposition D seeks to amend Article X, Section 7 of the city charter to include a reference to Harris County in regulations concerning streets and subdivisions. This change is necessary because some parts of League City are located in Harris County. The current charter only references parts of the city in Galveston County.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City, Proposition E
Proposition E would amend Article II, Section 6 of the city charter to allow the City Council to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacant council seat if the remaining term is 12 months or less.
According to the city's website, filling a council seat requires a special election which could cost the city more than $40,000. This gives the council the option to fill the position if less than 12 months are remaining on the term. A special election would still be required to fill a seat with more than 12 months remaining on the term.
The council will still have the option to hold a special election for a term of less than 12 months if they want to.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City, Proposition F
Proposition F proposes amending Article X, Section 13 of the city charter to remove the specific requirement that official notices must be published in the city’s official newspaper. According to the city's website, Texas law requires that legal notices must be posted in the official newspaper. If that were to change and this proposition was approved, the city would have more flexibility in where the legal notices are posted.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City, Proposition G
Proposition G seeks to create Article X, Section 21 in the city charter, permitting the City Council to authorize, via ordinance, the limited discharge of fireworks during the Independence Day holiday (July 4-5) and New Year’s holiday (December 31-January 1). This does not legalize fireworks in city limits but rather allows the city council to authorize the discharge of any and all legal fireworks in League City in a way that does not violate state law.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City, Proposition H
Proposition H proposes adding Article IV, Section 9 to the city charter, allowing the City Council to submit up to five propositions for popular vote during any general election.
Voting options: For/against
City of League City, Proposition I
Proposition I seeks to amend Article VII, Section 12A of the city charter to require that ballot language for any general obligation bonds includes a statement indicating that approval of the bonds may result in a tax increase. This change aims to ensure voters are informed of potential tax implications. This is only for the language that appears on the ballot. Voting on this proposition does not increase or decrease taxes.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City
City of Missouri City, Proposition A
Proposition A proposes amending Sections 3.03 and 3.06.B of Article III of the city charter to clarify that the City Council's decisions regarding qualifications for office on the council are subject to judicial review.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition B
Proposition B seeks to amend Section 3.04 of Article III of the charter to remove the waiting period for changes to City Council compensation. It would also limit compensation increases to once a year and base them on the Consumer Price Index and an adopted budget.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition C
Proposition C would amend Section 3.05 of Article III of the charter to change the timeframe for electing the Mayor Pro Tem to any meeting between November 15 and December 31, but after any general election in which a council member is elected.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition D
Proposition D aims to amend Subsection 3.06.D of Article III of the charter to specify that the City Council may only appoint a new council member if there are 12 months or less remaining on the unexpired term for the vacant position.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition E
Proposition E proposes amending Section 3.09 of Article III to require the City Council to hold at least two meetings per month in 10 months of the calendar year and at least one meeting per month in the remaining two months.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition F
Proposition F seeks to amend Section 3.10 of Article III to clarify that fewer than four council members can form a quorum if allowed by state law.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition G
Proposition G would amend Section 3.14 of Article III to remove the requirement to print the city code every 10 years, recognizing the availability of digital access due to technological advances.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition H
Proposition H aims to amend Subsection 4.01.D of Article IV to allow the City Manager to appoint, suspend, or remove department directors after an official meeting with the City Council for discussion and deliberation.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition I
Proposition I would amend Subsection 4.01.E of Article IV to align with Section 3.08 of Article III, allowing a former City Council member to be chosen as City Manager or Acting City Manager after a one-year period following their departure from office.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition J
Proposition J proposes amending Subsection 4.06.E of Article IV to authorize the City Manager to prepare and adopt personnel rules after holding an official meeting with the City Council for discussion and deliberation.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition K
Proposition K would add Subsection 4.06.F to Article IV, continuing the requirement for the City Council to adopt a pay plan, including incentive pay, by ordinance.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition L
Proposition L seeks to amend Section 6.05 of Article VI to require the City Secretary to verify the residency of candidates by obtaining an affidavit and reviewing documents such as a Texas driver's license, utility bills, leases, or homestead exemption documentation to confirm the applicable residency period.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition M
Proposition M would amend Section 9.09 of Article IX to authorize the City Manager and Financial Services Director to sign checks, replacing the requirement for the Mayor and City Manager to do so.
Voting options: For/against
City of Missouri City, Proposition N
Proposition N proposes amending Section 3.09 of Article III to eliminate the prohibition against public officials having direct or indirect financial interests in city contracts. Instead, public officials would be required to follow state law conflict-of-interest procedures and additional mandatory disclosure requirements.
Voting options: For/against
Alief Independent School District
Alief ISD, Proposition A
Proposition A asks voters to ratify an ad valorem property tax rate of $1.0476 per $100 of assessed property valuation for the current year. This tax rate is projected to increase the district's maintenance and operations tax revenue by 9.43% compared to the previous year, which translates to an additional $13.5 million in revenue for the district.
Voting options: For/against
Houston Independent School District
Voters on Nov. 5 will need to decide whether to approve or reject the bond proposal which is broken down into two separate propositions.
Houston ISD, Proposition A
Proposition A asks voters to approve the issuance of $3.96 billion in bonds, aimed at addressing critical needs in the district’s infrastructure.
Voting options: For/against
Houston ISD Proposition B
Then there is Proposition B which is aimed at upgrading the district’s technology infrastructure. Prop. B would issue $440 million to fund technology improvements across HISD schools.
Voting options: For/against
RELATED: Houston ISD's $4.4 billion bond proposal: What you need to know about before casting your vote
Spring Independent School District
Spring ISD, Proposition A
Proposition A seeks voter approval to ratify an ad valorem tax rate of $1.1569 per $100 of assessed property valuation in Spring ISD for the current year. This rate would result in a 13.52% increase in maintenance and operations tax revenue compared to the previous year, adding $16,206,483 in revenue for the district. Approval would authorize the district to apply this higher tax rate to support its maintenance and operations budget.
Voting options: For/against
Waller Independent School District
Waller ISD, Proposition A
Proposition A bond proposition asks for the issuance of $702,500,000 to fund the construction, acquisition, and equipping of school facilities within Waller ISD. This includes building two new elementary schools, a new junior high school, and a new high school, as well as purchasing necessary sites and new school buses. If approved, this measure will result in a property tax increase to cover the principal, interest on the bonds, and any related credit agreement costs.
Voting options: For/against
Waller ISD, Proposition B
Proposition B seeks approval to issue $11,000,000 in bonds for the acquisition, installation, and updating of technology equipment in Waller ISD. If approved, this measure would also result in a property tax increase to cover the repayment of the bonds' principal, interest, and any related credit agreement costs.
Voting options: For/against
Addicks Utility District, of Harris County
Addicks Utility District, Proposition A
This proposition seeks approval to issue up to $57,000,000 in bonds for water, sanitary sewer, and drainage facilities. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Addicks Utility District, Proposition B
This proposition proposes issuing up to $10,000,000 in refunding bonds to refinance existing bonds for water, sanitary sewer, and drainage facilities, including related costs. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Addicks Utility District, Proposition C
This proposition authorizes an operation and maintenance tax up to $0.50 per $100 of property valuation within the district.
Voting options: For/against
Greenwood Utility District
Greenwood Utility District, Proposition A
Proposition A would authorize an operation and maintenance tax up to $0.50 per $100 of property valuation in the Greenwood Utility District.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Emergency Services District No. 17
Harris County Emergency Services District No. 17, Proposition A
Proposition A asks voters to approve an ad valorem tax rate of $0.10 per $100 valuation, which is $0.015957 higher than the district’s voter-approval rate, to fund fire protection and rescue services. This rate is higher than the previous year’s rate of $0.083846 per $100 valuation.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1A
Harris County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1A, Proposition A
Proposition A seeks approval to issue up to $15,000,000 in bonds for waterworks, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and drainage system improvements. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be levied to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1A, Proposition B
Proposition B authorizes an operation and maintenance tax up to $0.50 per $100 of property valuation.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 154
Harris County MUD No. 154, Proposition A
Proposition A would allow the district to issue up to $54,700,000 in bonds for waterworks, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and solid waste disposal systems, including related expenses. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be levied to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 154, Proposition B
Proposition B proposes issuing up to $54,700,000 in refunding bonds to refinance existing bonds for waterworks, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and solid waste disposal systems, including related expenses. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be levied to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 158
Harris County MUD No. 158, Proposition A
Proposition A seeks approval to issue $11,000,000 in bonds for water, sewer, and drainage system improvements. Taxes would be levied to cover the principal and interest on these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 158, Proposition B
Proposition B proposes issuing $11,000,000 in refunding bonds to refinance existing bonds or related refunding bonds. Taxes would be levied to cover the principal and interest on these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 165, Defined Area No. 3
Harris County MUD No. 165, Proposition A
Proposition A seeks approval to issue $450,750,000 in bonds for water, sanitary sewer, and drainage systems, including refunding of previous bonds for these facilities within Defined Area No. 3. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be levied to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 165, Proposition B
Proposition B would allow the issuance of $85,050,000 in bonds for recreational facilities, including refunding of previous recreational facility bonds for Defined Area No. 3. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be levied to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 165, Proposition C
Proposition C seeks approval to issue $191,550,000 in bonds for road construction, including refunding of previous road bonds for Defined Area No. 3. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be levied to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 165, Proposition D
Proposition D authorizes an operation and maintenance tax, up to $1.50 per $100 of property valuation, for facilities serving Defined Area No. 3.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 165, Proposition E
Proposition E authorizes an operation and maintenance tax, up to $0.25 per $100 of property valuation, for road facilities in Defined Area No. 3.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 516
Harris County MUD No. 516, Proposition A
Proposition A is a confirmation of the creation of Harris County MUD No. 516 and includes the election of directors to oversee the district’s operations.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 516, Proposition B
Proposition B seeks approval to issue up to $282,950,000 in bonds for water, sanitary sewer, and drainage facilities. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 516, Proposition C
Proposition C would authorize the issuance of up to $41,200,000 in bonds for recreational facilities. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 516, Proposition D
Proposition D proposes issuing up to $114,390,000 in bonds for road facilities within the district. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 516, Proposition E
Proposition E seeks approval for the issuance of up to $282,950,000 in refunding bonds to refinance existing bonds related to water, sanitary sewer, and drainage facilities. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 516, Proposition F
Proposition F would allow the issuance of up to $41,200,000 in refunding bonds to refinance existing bonds for recreational facilities. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 516, Proposition G
Proposition G proposes the issuance of up to $114,390,000 in refunding bonds to refinance existing bonds for road facilities. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County MUD No. 516, Proposition H
Proposition H authorizes an operation and maintenance tax up to $1.50 per $100 of property valuation within the district.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Water Control & Improvement District No. 110
Harris County Water Control & Improvement District No. 110, Proposition A
Proposition A seeks approval to issue $34,950,000 in general bonds for water, sanitary sewer, drainage, storm sewer, organization, and administration. It also authorizes $34,950,000 in refunding bonds to refinance these facilities’ bonds. Ad valorem taxes would be levied to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Water Control & Improvement District No. 110, Proposition B
Proposition B authorizes the issuance of $10,550,000 in bonds for parks and recreational facilities and $10,550,000 in refunding bonds to refinance existing bonds for these facilities. Ad valorem taxes would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Water Control & Improvement District No. 110, Proposition C
Proposition C proposes increasing the district’s operation and maintenance tax to a maximum of $0.25 per $100 of property valuation. This new rate would replace the existing rate of $0.15 per $100 authorized in 1993.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County Water Control and Improvement District No. 116
Harris County WCID No. 116, Proposition A
Proposition A seeks approval for the issuance of $5,710,000 in bonds for parks and recreational facilities. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Harris County WCID No. 116, Proposition B
Proposition B authorizes $5,710,000 in refunding bonds to refinance bonds issued for recreational facilities. Taxes, without a rate or amount limit, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Newport Municipal Utility District
Newport MUD, Proposition A
Proposition A proposes issuing up to $110,000,000 in bonds for improvements to the district’s water, sewer, and drainage systems. Ad valorem taxes would be levied to cover the repayment of the principal and interest on these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Remington Municipal Utility District No. 1
Remington MUD No. 1, Proposition A
Proposition A seeks approval to issue up to $27,000,000 in bonds for recreational facilities within the district. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
Remington MUD No. 1, Proposition B
Proposition B would allow for the issuance of $27,000,000 in refunding bonds to refinance bonds issued for recreational facilities, including any related refunding bonds. Taxes, without a limit on rate or amount, would be imposed to repay these bonds.
Voting options: For/against
