Councilwoman Peggy Neely's
Tatum Sun Times Column

September 2005

Upcoming Bond Will Determine Future Projects

Parks, libraries, police and fire stations – these are the kinds of amenities many seek for their neighborhoods. A critical process that’s kicking off this month will play a big role in determining what kinds of facilities we have in our community well into the future.

About 300 volunteers from all around the city are starting their work on recommending which major projects should go to the voters in the upcoming March 14, 2006 citywide bond election.

Selling bonds is the way the city pays for big purchases, just like how you take out a mortgage on a house or a loan for a car.

Since the process is a bit complicated and you’re going to be hearing more and more about it, I wanted to break out and simplify some of the important messages about the bond process:

▪The bond election will be Phoenix’s first since 2001. The recommended total right now is $850 million. Since the new program replaces the expiring one, it will not raise your taxes.

▪Phoenix voters have overwhelmingly supported past bond elections. In 10 elections over a nearly 50-year period, voters have approved 95% of the total funds for balloted projects. That’s given the go ahead to $3.7 billion in new projects and programs.

▪Bonds pay for things like the recently-opened Desert Broom Library, public safety facilities, street improvements and other big-ticket items. These are especially important in developing areas like northeast Phoenix, which may not have the same infrastructure as more-developed areas. Bonds have also paid for prominent city facilities like the Burton Barr Central Library and the Phoenix Art Museum. Arizona State University’s new downtown campus will likely be part of the upcoming bond election.

▪Phoenix has a nationally-recognized process for resident involvement in structuring bond programs. Community volunteers make up 17 different committees that will help decide what goes on the ballot. Village Planning Committees throughout the city are also making recommendations and non-profits can ask for bond money to help their programs.

▪City Council has the final say on which projects go to the ballot and that will be determined in November.

These are the kinds of decisions that leave a legacy for decades – even generations. It’s an important public process and we will keep providing you the information and specifics, so you’re able to make informed choices for Phoenix’s future.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which includes most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at 602-262-7445 or through e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov

BREAKFAST INFO:

Please join us for our next Issues and Info Breakfast at 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Jillian’s in the Desert Ridge Marketplace.