DEBT AT A GLANCE

General obligation (GO) debt is generated from issuing bonds secured by a local government’s ad valorem taxing power, which are issued following a bond election. This type of financing vehicle is typically best suited for major capital projects where the local government believes that it is important to allow the voters to have the opportunity to pass upon the project.

This graph shows the outstanding GO debt per capita for the past 10 years. In 2020, the GO debt amounted to around $2,828 per capita.

Certificates of obligation provide local governments with flexibility when they need to finance projects quickly, as with reconstruction after a disaster or as a response to a court decision requiring capital spending. Unlike issuing GO bonds, this form of borrowing does not require voter approval.

Take a look at the Comptroller's Fiscal Note that highlights this flexible funding tool for local projects.

Used to finance public projects such as roads, schools, airports and seaports, and infrastructure-related repairs, bonds are an important financial tool for local governments.

Authorized but unissued debt includes bond projects authorized by voted bond propositions, but tax bonds have not yet been issued.

A capital appreciation bond (CAB) is another debt instrument used to fund capital projects. Unlike conventional bonds, where principal and interest payments are made in installments, CABs require no payments of any kind until maturity.

Take a look at the Comptroller’s Fiscal Note that further explains CABs as a finance option for local governments.

*Click the legend above to show/hide series

SALES TAX

Local taxing jurisdictions may impose sales and use tax up to 2 percent. All sales tax rates for a specific area may be found on the Sales Tax Rate Locator.

Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, City Sales and Use Tax

PROPERTY TAX

Property taxes are the primary source of government revenue in Texas. Local governments can levy a property tax by adopting a tax rate on the value of the property.

Explore and compare property tax data for counties, cities and school districts.

Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, City Rates and Levies

These graphs show how Anna compares against the similarly populated entities in general obligation debt outstanding and general obligation debt outstanding per capita.

Source: Texas Bond Review Board, City GO & Rev Debt Outstanding and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Texas

To learn more about where the money goes, please visit our State Revenue and Expenditures Dashboard.

If you have any questions, please contact us or call 844-519-5676.