Alcohol, bond plans on ballots in area cities
Bond proposals and alcohol measures await suburban North Texas voters casting ballots on Election Day. Tarrant County residents also will vote on a county commissioner and sheriff.
Denton County is asking voters to approve a $495 million bond package. One proposal on the ballot asks for $310 million to fund several road projects throughout the county.
"Really, our priorities were congestion relief and safety," Denton County Judge Mary Horn said.
Another ballot measure seeks $185 million for buildings and technology. The county wants to add fiber-optic cables for the county network and a new juvenile case management system. Officials also want to continue construction on the county administrative complex, expand the jail and juvenile detention, and build a government center in Lewisville.
Ms. Horn said she's been telling voters worried about the economy that the county won't necessarily issue the bonds immediately.
Rockwall County officials also are asking voters for bond-funded road projects – theirs to the tune of $100 million.
There's little question that roads have failed to keep up with growth in the county, which has seen its population triple since 1990. The population is expected to hit 250,000 by 2030, yet many major roads remain two lanes.
Commissioners have said that if the bond passes, under a "worst-case scenario," taxes might increase by $4.75 a month for the owner of a $190,000 home.
Alcohol measures
A handful of cities also feature alcohol measures on Tuesday's ballot. In Irving and Waxahachie, those for and against retail sales of beer and wine have been the most vocal.
It's the third time since 2004 that Irving voters will cast ballots in an alcohol measure. Waxahachie voters also will decide whether to do away with club card requirements for mixed drinks in restaurants.
In Melissa and Roanoke, voters could legalize the off-premise sale of liquor, but battles have not been widely polarizing.
Fort Worth already, for the most part, allows beer and wine sales and restaurant beverages without a club card.
But voters citywide face an election aimed at allowing the same conditions in the northernmost portions of the city, including the area surrounding Texas Motor Speedway and Alliance Airport.
Southlake residents can already buy wine and most beers at local retailers. But because of provisions in previous elections, they can't buy some ales and malt liquors that have higher alcohol content than most beers but less than wine. A beer and wine referendum there is aimed at closing that gap.
In Tarrant County
In Tarrant County, Republican Commissioner Gary Fickes is defending his Precinct 3 seat from challenges by Democrat and independent businessman Jerry Lee Phillips and Libertarian Mark F. Frohman.
Mr. Fickes, a former Southlake mayor, won the seat in 2006 and is serving the unexpired term of Glen Whitley, who resigned before his successful run for county judge.
The district covers northeast Tarrant County and North Fort Worth and has been a GOP stronghold.
In the Tarrant County sheriff's race, incumbent Republican Dee Anderson is running for a third term. He faces Democrat Hank Pope, a former executive chief deputy for the department and currently an investigator for the University of Texas at Arlington Police Department. Libertarian Charles Hibbler is also running.