Harris County Judge Robert Eckels and Padres Owner John
Moores met "to resolve their differences," according to John
Williams of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Moores had sent Eckels a
letter criticizing his efforts in coming up with a financing plan
for a new football facility, but Eckels said the two will resume
discussions, now that financing is in place on a Astros facility
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/22).
PROPERTY TAX USED FOR DOME DEBT: To cover "shortfalls" in
hotel occupancy tax revenues, Harris County has spent more than
$20M in property tax income since '91 to improve the Astrodome,
county records show, according to the CHRONICLE'S Williams.
Williams notes the "revelation" comes as Eckels and proponents of
a November 5 sports facility referendum are promising that no
property tax funds will be used for building a new ballpark and
Astrodome renovations. Eckels said that until recently he was
"under the impression no property tax money had been used" for
retiring debt for Dome improvements. Eckels will talk with bond
agencies in NYC to see if the county can purchase insurance
should other revenue sources fall short (HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
10/22).
