[JoninATX]

Nearly a third of $1.2 billion from recent Austin bond elections remains unspent

By Sarah Coppola
Monday, Sept. 3, 2012

The City of Austin has yet to spend nearly a third of the $1.2 billion in bond money that voters approved in four bond packages over the past 15 years.

That means dozens of projects — from swimming pool renovations to street repairs — aren't done.

City officials say most of the remaining projects are being designed, are under construction or will break ground soon, and that the city will spend most of the remaining $356 million in the next three years.

The City Council will ask voters in November to OK an additional $385 million bond package to renovate branch libraries, build a fire station, renovate an arts center and build low-income housing, among other projects.

City officials note that bond projects tend to be large and complex, and that many factors can delay them, from having to move utility lines to redesigning features when unforeseen problems crop up.

"You can encounter all types of issues when you get deeper into a project," said Mike Trimble, the city's capital planning officer for the past two years. "Our goal is to move forward and make sure bond dollars are spent as intended."

Critics say voters should be wary of approving another bond package until the city wraps up more of the prior projects.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/...m-2449938.html