Funds for street and sidewalk repair program on ballot
Pair of Town Hall Meetings set to share information
MURPHY (April 4, 2023) In addition to the uncontested election for mayor, the May 6 ballot for most Murphy residents includes contested elections for two Council seats, three seats on both the Plano ISD Board and the Collin County Community College Board, as well as a vote on whether to reauthorize .25 percent of local sales and use taxes to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of City streets and sidewalks.
A pair of Town Hall Meetings to discuss the funding mechanism, and to answer any questions regarding the street and sidewalks maintenance and repair program, are scheduled for Thursday, April 20 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 22 at 9 a.m. Both will be held in Council Chambers at Murphy City Hall, 206 North Murphy Road.
The election which initially authorized the use of the funds occurred in 2019 when voters decided to use a quarter of one percent of the sales and use tax for the street and sidewalk repair and maintenance program. Up to that point, the City was dedicating those specific funds to finance the Murphy Municipal Development District (MMDD).
State law allows local governments to use a small percentage of the sales and use tax for local projects. In 2011, voters in Murphy approved the use of .5%, or one-half of one cent, for projects and programs overseen by the MMDD, subsequently reduced to .25% in 2019.
The sales and use tax, currently 8.25% on taxable products and services and paid by anyone making purchases in Murphy whether residents or not, is divided among various entities, with the state of Texas securing the highest percentage at 6.25%. The City receives 2% which is divided as 1% to the General Fund, .5% to Murphy Community Development Corporation, .25% to MMDD, and .25% for the street and sidewalk maintenance and repair program.
During the May election, voters will be asked whether or not to continue, or reauthorize, the quarter-cent set aside for the street and sidewalk maintenance and repair fund. Reauthorization requires a majority of voters voting “For” on the ballot.
Since the 2019 vote to authorize the funding, the City implemented the program that targeted a select set of streets and sidewalks for repair or maintenance. The thoroughfares targeted in the program are confined to streets solely under the control of the City of Murphy, rather than roadways such as FM 544, which is a state-controlled road.
Early Voting begins on April 24 and continues until Tuesday, May 2. Election Day is Saturday, May 6. Voting booths will be set up in the Murphy Community Center, 205 North Murphy Road, for Early Voting and for Election Day.