Residents in Victoria on Saturday evening voted in favor of the City of Victoria's Proposition A, which will enact a venue tax to help fund the expansion and renovation of the Community Center.Ƶ
A total of 2,308 ballots were cast in favor of Proposition A (65.03%). A total of 1,241 votes were cast against the initiative.Ƶ
One concern for some taxpayers arose throughout the process, those who believed voting yes on Proposition A would raise their property taxes. All along, city officials reiterated that would not be the case.
The proposition will add an additional 2% tax on hotel room stays and a new 5% tax on short term motor vehicle rentals. This new venue tax will make up approximately $11 million of the estimated $35 million budget for the project. This venue tax will not effect residents' property taxes.
"I'm really proud of Victoria for their vote on the venue tax. They'reƵtaking advantage of an opportunity for the city to invest in ourselves in a way that our citizens deserve," Mayor Duane Crocker said."I'm just very proud that they saw through some of the the social media nonsense and the outside political rhetoric that was related to that proposition."Ƶ
The 2% hotel occupancy tax on overnight hotel room stays will be added on top of the city's existing 7% hotel occupancy and tax and the 6% state hotel occupancy tax.Ƶ
With the proposition approved by voters, the City of Victoria is planning to hire the architect for the project in June and begin a six-month long design process.Ƶ
The city hopes to start construction on the Community Center after the Victoria Livestock Show in March 2026, with plans to complete construction by Feb. 2027, just in time for the 81st Victoria Livestock Show.Ƶ
Improvements to the Community Center will include a new, up-to-3,000 fixed-seat covered event arena for rodeos, equestrian events and concerts. The arena's seating capacity could be increased to 4,500 if needed for certain events.
The current dirt arena will be converted into an exhibition hall that can be used for recreational athletic events or to provide additional space for larger conferences/exhibitions along with the dome.Ƶ
The existing Community Center dome will be relocated. The stage and green room areas will be enhanced and breakout rooms will be added.
Updates to the current Community Center will also include updates to the air conditioning and heating systems and improvements to the on-site technology.Ƶ
On the fairgrounds, RV hook ups, lighting and permanent outdoor restroom facilities will be added. Parking, lighting and circulation flow are also on the list of general site improvements.Ƶ
The City of Victoria hopes that this renovation projection to the Community Center will enable the facility to host livestock shows, rodeos, concerts, athletic events, larger conventions, festivals, weddings, and quinceañeras. One goal in expanding the Community Center will also be to improve the venue's capacity to host multiple events in the building simultaneously.Ƶ
Along with the approval of Proposition A, 187 residents of Bloomington voted in favor of parts of the town of Bloomington being incorporated into Victoria, retaining 75.71% of the vote. A total of 60 ballots (24.29%) were cast against incorporation.
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