Flood Control Bond on November Ballot

Encouraged by an overwhelmingly favorable advisory vote last fall, the City Council has decided to put a $10-million bond issue for flood control on the Nov. 5 ballot.

If the proposal is approved by a two-thirds vote in the general election, the city would issue bonds to pay for pumps, drainage channels and other flood control projects. A city staff report projects that the bond issue would increase property taxes by $10 a year on a house valued at $150,000.

After Cypress suffered extensive flood damage resulting from heavy rains in early 1995, the council put a flood control question among the advisory issues presented to voters in November’s special election.

That question, Measure E, asked whether the city should seek financing “to provide additional storm drain protection to Cypress residents.” The measure received the biggest affirmative vote of the nine advisory issues on the ballot.

Public Works Director Mark Christoffels told the City Council that a drainage study in 1994 has already determined what improvements are needed.

Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry said that winning a two-thirds majority for any ballot measure would be difficult, and she proposed offering voters the option of a less costly bond issue.

But others on the council disagreed, arguing that the $10-million project is needed to cover all flood control needs.

“I think we need to take some leadership,” Councilwoman Mary Ann Jones said.