Killeen Council Approves Staggering $155 Million Bond For New Building

The Killeen, Texas city hall is busted. The building is over 100 years old, and due to the condition of the building the upkeep continues to become more and more difficult. When the general election happens in May there will be a proposal for a $155 million bond that would fund the construction of a new city hall

Why Build a New One

There a quite a few reasons that we would want a new city hall building in Killeen. One of the most important reasons is that the current building isn't compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A large part of the building isn't up to code with modern requirements. There are also quite a few offices that are located throughout different parts of the city. Building a new city hall would allow access to all people through compliance with the ADA, a new building would be built to code and cost the city less money over time, and the city could work more efficiently with all of the offices in one central location.

How Much Will It Cost

So, the million-dollar question, or in this case the 155-million-dollar question is where will the money come from? The bond proposition would only effect residence under the age of 65. For the average resident that would be a little over four dollars a month, and then in 2030 there would be another increase of about $15 per month.

Is It Worth It

Depending on how you look at it government spending can always seem unnecessary and wasteful. In this case it's important to look at the net gains. The compliance with ADA is very important and beneficial to employees and residents alike. The construction of the building would most likely go to local contractors which in turn puts money into our local economy. Lastly, new and upgraded facilities would provide a boost on the employees' morale which would have a positive impact on everyone in Killeen.