General Obligation Bonds

What is a GO Bond?

General Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds) in Texas are municipal bonds backed by a pledge of ad valorum taxes. This means that the municipality pledges its taxing power to repay the bondholders. These bonds are used to finance public infrastructure projects.

Understanding Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds are debt securities issued by local governments (cities, counties, school districts) to finance public projects like infrastructure, schools, and utilities. Investors who purchase these bonds are essentially lending money to the issuer in exchange for periodic interest payments and the return of the bond’s face value at maturity.

Purpose and Impact

Allows for the funding of large-scale, long-term capital projects that benefit the community over the useful lives of the assets making it more manageable for the City’s budget. This also ensures that future residents who benefit from the improvements also contribute to their costs. The issuance of GO Bonds may accelerate project timelines versus “pay-as-you-go”.

Voter Approval

The issuance of GO Bonds must be authorized by a majority of the qualified voters of the municipality in an election held for that purpose.

Implications if Bond is not approved:

• Projects identified in the bond cannot be funded by Certificate of Obligation for 3 years
• Project delays or cancellations
• Community Impacts

2025 General Obligation Bond Update

In November 2025, voters approved a general obligation bond program to invest in critical infrastructure and community priorities. The bond authorization allows the City to move forward with long-term improvements while maintaining financial responsibility and transparency.

Bond funds may only be used for the purposes approved by voters and are subject to strict accountability requirements.

Voter Approved Bond Projects - November 2025 Election

Proposition B / Mobility Projects for Neighborhoods Streets, Sidewalks, and Traffic: Annual Renew of Asphalt

• Description:  Mill and overlay asphalt streets.
• Benefits:  Restore drivability on local streets by eliminating potholes and broken pavement.
• Streets Included:  Hines, N 3rd St., Monroe St., S 1st St., Lancelot, Dallas St., Stewart, E Homan Ave., E Francis Ave., Fort Worth St., Houston, Cedar Bayou Rd., Meador Ln., Petterson St., Honeysuckle Dr., E Elvinta St., Peggy St., Wildrose Dr., Yaupon Dr., Greenbriar Dr., Winkler Dr., Lazy Ln., Westoak Dr., Red Bud Ln., Burnett Dr., Narcille St., American Ave., Alabama St., N 5th St., Oakwood St., Daniel St.
• Bond Funding:  $20,000,000

Proposition B / Mobility Projects for Neighborhoods Streets, Sidewalks, and Traffic: Sidewalks and Pedestrian Crossing ADA Improvements

• Description:  Upgrade sidewalk and intersections to current ADA standards.
• Benefits:  Increased pedestrian usage and pedestrian safety. Repair existing sidewalk issues and damage.
• Bond Funding:  $2,500,000

Proposition B / Mobility Projects for Neighborhoods Streets, Sidewalks, and Traffic: North Alexander Traffic Signal Relocation Program

• Description:  Replacement and reprogramming of traffic signals along North Alexander.
• Benefits:  Facilitate mobility for anticipated population growth in Harris County and enhance safety for the traveling public by improving traffic signals to improve traffic flow.
• Bond Funding:  $7,499,000

Proposition B / Mobility Projects for Neighborhoods Streets, Sidewalks, and Traffic: Jenkins Park to Goose Creek Trail Connection Plan

• Description:  This planning-only phase will include right-of-way acquisition and address safety and engineering challenges to develop a comprehensive construction plan connecting Jenkins Park to the Goose Creek Trail with an elevated, ADA compliant pedestrian railroad crossing. Parks and Recreation considers this project a high priority. 
• Benefits:  This project addresses safety issues by planning a safe crossing over the Union Pacific Railroad and Crosby Cedar Bayou, while supporting Baytown’s strategic trail goals. 
• Bond Funding:  $451,000

Proposition D / Facilities Projects: Fire Station 4 Design and Land Acquisition

• Description:  Replace aging fire station with new fire station.
• Benefits:  New fire station will comply with new health standards for fire fighters and provide greater operational efficiency.
• Bond Funding:  $4,250,000

2025 Go Bond Process

There were 6 steps to the process from start to completion. 

1. Identify Projects
2. Determine Bond Capacity
3. Conduct Public Outreach
4. Develop Bond Propositions
5. Call Election
6. Bond Referendum (Vote)
7. Bond Sale and Closing

Identify Projects

From November 2024 through January 2025, Halff collaborated with the City to identify and prioritize the list of projects and provide cost estimates.

Determine Bond Capacity

From January 2025 through March 2025, the City Council, Financial Advisor, and Staff determined the debt appetite. This also helped finalize the list of bond projects.

Conduct Public Outreach

From March 2025 through November 2025, public education and stakeholder involvement helped advocate for the bond before the election

Develop Bond Propositions

City worked with bond counsel and Financial Advisor to develop bond propositions, election order and statutory required voter information documents prior to the election

Call Election

In August 2025, The Bond Counsel worked with the City to draft election propositions and required documents.  A city must call a bond election not earlier than the 90th day before election day and not later than the 78th day before election day.

Bond Referendum (Vote)

In November 2025, the bond went out for a vote. A bond election may only be held on a uniform election date.

Bond Sale and Closing

If approved by voters, the bond will be sold and the City will receive funds to spend towards projects within three to six months.

View Go Bond Process (PDF)

Bond Committee

This committee assisted the City in organizing, researching, and preparing the potential projects for consideration in the November 2025 General Bond Election.

More information about this committee and the members can be found on the Boards and Commissions page.