Opponents of a $2.5 million parks bond issue for Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 35 in the Cinco Ranch/Seven Meadows area say a lack of public information and “transparency” was behind a solid defeat there.

In an unofficial count, the vote was 52 to 3 against the park bonds and 54 to 1 against a tax rate of up to 10 cents per $100 property valuation to maintain park facilities.

A measure authorizing the district to refinance previous bond issues at current lower rates also failed, 48 to 6.

“The bottom line is…I think there was a complete lack of transparency,” said resident David Bippus, who said he learned about the bond proposal only a few days before the election. “If it’s a good thing, then publicize it. Don’t hold it in somebody’s garage…”

While voters in other Fort Bend County MUDs went to the polls to cast their ballots, the MUD 35 election was held at a home in the district. That's because there was no county polling place in the district, said attorney Peter Harding, who represents the district.

Bippus said he had difficulty finding information about the district’s plans, and in contacting district officials. Information he picked up through other residents raised “red flags,” he said.

“We’ve got enough amenities here and pay enough homeowner dues,” Bippus said after the vote. “I don’t think they need to get involved in stuff like that.”

MUD 35 directors had proposed to use the park and recreation bonds to add walking trails, sports field lighting and other amenities. District board president Jimmy Pappas said the MUD had been asked to build a shade structure at an elementary school that is outside district boundaries, but serves district residents and their children.

“There’s a limit to what developers can do,” said Pappas, a developer who owns property in the 768-acre district but does not live or vote there. “A lot of residents and board members felt ‘Why not do something that improves the community?’ It does go to enhance property values. It does go to beautify the community.”

With the main parks proposition garnering only three supporting votes, and the proposed maintenance tax only one, Pappas said he did not know how many board members are registered to vote in the district, or did so November 2.

He said opponents who complained about a lack of information had failed to attend MUD board meetings or inform themselves about the propositions.

“It was the board’s decision not to spend taxpayer dollars to aggressively advertise the issue,” Pappas said. “That can sometimes backfire and in this case it might have done so.”

The MUD 35 board meets to canvass election results and conduct other business at 1 p.m. November 12 at 1300 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1400.