PHOTO: The proposed expansion and renovation of the Victoria Community Center will include a new covered event arena, a new larger expo hall, fairground improvements and other site improvements.
The City of Victoria has published an informational webpage, including frequently asked questions, about the Venue Tax that is being proposed to fund the expansion and renovation of the Victoria Community Center.
The page can be found at www.victoriatx.gov/communitycenter.
The Community Center project would improve the venue’s capacity to host livestock shows, rodeos, concerts, recreational athletic events and larger conventions, as well as local community events such as church festivals, nonprofit fundraisers, weddings and quinceañeras.
The project is estimated to cost up to $35 million. The Victoria City Council is asking City residents to consider implementing a 5 percent motor vehicle rental tax and a 2 percent hotel occupancy tax to fund a portion of the cost.
These two elements will appear as a single proposition on the ballot, but neither will impact residential property taxes.
City officials said the FAQ section of the webpage is intended to grow as new questions are received. To submit a new question, click on “Share your question” at the bottom of the webpage.
The new revenue streams will make up approximately $11 million of the total project cost. Other funding sources for the project will primarily include certificate of obligation bonds from the City’s existing capital improvement plan, existing sales tax funds from the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation and existing City hotel occupancy tax dollars.
Election day is May 3. Early voting will take place April 22-29, with April 3 as the last day to register to vote. Only City residents may vote on this proposition.
To learn more about the project, visit www.victoriatx.gov/communitycenter. For information about how to vote in Victoria, visit www.vctxelections.org.