Election Day For Victoria Mayor and Venue Tax is on Saturday

The mayor’s position and a Venue Tax proposal to help fund the expansion and renovation of the Community Center will be decided by Victoria voters on Election Day, Saturday, May 3.

Voters will consider a race for mayor as well as a proposition that would add a 2% tax on hotel room stays and a 5% tax on motor vehicle rentals to fund the Community Center project. The two taxes will appear as a single proposition on the ballot. Two City Council positions, Super Districts 5 and 6, will appear on the ballot as uncontested races.

About the Community Center project

In accordance with the 2024 Community Center and Fairgrounds Master Plan, the proposed project includes plans for a 3,000-fixed-seat covered arena with an option to expand to 4,500 for concert events. The reorganization of interior program spaces could also enable the current building to host several unique events simultaneously.

The master plan also calls for updated lighting, sound, a kitchen, restrooms, air conditioning, and disability access to improve the patron experience.

The project would improve the venue’s capacity to host livestock shows, rodeos, concerts, recreational athletic events, and larger conventions, as well as local events such as church festivals, weddings, and quinceañeras. To learn more about the project, visit www.victoriatx.gov/communitycenter.

How it’s funded

The revenue from the proposed new taxes 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, sales tax funds from the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation and existing City hotel occupancy tax dollars.

Costs associated with the certificate of obligation bonds are stemming from retiring debt and will not impact the property tax rate.

How to vote

Polling will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Polling centers can be found in each of 33 voting precincts, with the main polling center located at the Dr. Pattie Dodson Public Health Center, 2805 North Navarro Street, Classroom A.

Only City residents may vote on the Community Center proposition and the mayoral race. Residents may vote at any polling location regardless of which precinct they live in.