There are 42 locations to early vote beginning April 20th

Sanger residents have a lot to consider in the upcoming local election. There are 42 early voting locations in Denton County, including the Sanger Community Center at 101 Freese Drive. Early voting began on Monday, April 20, and ends on Tuesday, April 28, for the election scheduled for Saturday, May 2.

On the ballot is a $68 million bond for the Sanger Independent School District (SISD). See pages 10, 12-14 about the bond. Additionally, there is one school board race for Place 1 between incumbent Jarrod Roberts and Drew Hall. Places 6 and 7, held by Mitch Hammonds and Bruce Elsey, respectively, are unopposed.

Residents within the Sanger city limits and the adjacent Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) will also vote on the creation of a Municipal Development District (MDD). This district is designed to help fund the infrastructure needed to support the area's rapid growth. It is important to note that this proposal does not involve a Municipal Utility District (MUD) and will not affect property taxes or any annexation. The MDD allows for the collection of sales tax revenue within the ETJ, which has led to some misconceptions on social media. You can find a list of frequently asked questions on page 6 regarding the MDD, as well as a clear explanation.

Key points to remember:

- An ETJ already exists (see the map on page 16). It includes land that lies between city/town limits.

- Sales tax is distinct from property tax. The proposal on the ballot only affects sales tax.

Did you know that the State of Texas caps sales tax at 8.25% of the total purchase price? Of this, 6.25% goes directly to the state, and local entities have the option to add up to another 2.00%. 

Currently, Sanger collects the following:

- 1.00% for the General Fund

- 0.50% for the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Type A

- 0.50% for the EDC Type B

The city proposes to discontinue the EDC Type A and instead create the MDD. This would allow Sanger to collect sales tax within the ETJ, while the existing percentages are confined to the city limits.

The proposed sales tax distribution would be as follows:

- 1.00% for the General Fund

- 0.50% for the Municipal Development District

- 0.50% for the EDC Type B

The overall sales tax rate remains the same and will apply to anyone making purchases, not just residents. The most noticeable change may occur when shopping at businesses outside the city limits but within the ETJ. For example:

At the Dollar General on 5th Street, your receipt will show a total of $32.68 with $2.70 in sales tax, for a total of $35.38. However, at the Dollar General in Bolivar, the same purchase would accumulate $2.04 in sales tax, totaling $34.72. If the MDD is passed, that amount would increase to $2.21 in sales tax, making the total $34.89.

There is also a race for City Council in Place 4, featuring incumbent Allen Chick and challenger Margie Tisdale, a teacher at Sanger High School. Chick, a financial advisor, has served on the council for 10 years. Gary Bilyeu is running unopposed for Mayor after serving 16 years. Incumbent Mayor Thomas Muir announced in early January that he will not seek another term after more than a decade in office since May 2010.

Longtime Sanger resident Mark Bulger is unopposed for Place 2 on the council. The Sanger news will run profiles for Roberts, Hall, Chick, and Tisdale in next week’s paper.