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Group to push for road bonds
Posted
A citizens committee has been formed to support a town bond issue to provide funds to rebuild Saguaro Blvd.
The bond issue has been placed on the ballot for the November election by the Town Council.
The committee, “Citizens for Saguaro,” is chaired by local attorney Bob Thomson. Former Mayor Jerry Miles serves as committee treasurer.
Miles said all former mayors now residing in Fountain Hills have been asked to serve as honorary co-chairs.
“Maintenance of our streets and roads is one of the fundamental responsibilities of our town government,” Thomson stated.
“Over the last few years, because of budgetary problems, Saguaro Blvd. has fallen into serious disrepair. One of the problems with asphalt is that once it is allowed to deteriorate, it becomes geometrically more expensive to repair.
“With the bond issue, we will be playing catch-up. Once Saguaro is redone, the town’s newly adopted street maintenance program will keep it well maintained.”
The town is seeking authorization to issue $8.2 million in bonds for the reconstruction of Saguaro.
The council voted in March to call for the new election, following the 2011 rejection by voters of a massive $30 million bond issue to cover Saguaro Blvd. and long-term street maintenance throughout the town.
The $8.2 million measure, if approved by voters in November, would be paid off in five years.
It’s been estimated it will cost the owner of a home assessed at $250,000 about $130 per year in additional taxes to pay for the road bond.
The School Board two weeks ago authorized a construction bond and override questions, also to be placed on the same Nov. 5 ballot.
For a taxpayer whose house is assessed at $250,000, the school bond will cost about $34 per year.
School officials say if the overrides are authorized, they will simply extend current tax rates and not increase them.
As for the town road bond committee, others who have already agreed to serve on the panel include former school superintendents Walt Dunne and Dr. Bill Myhr, former Town Council member Joe Bill, Nick DePorter, Jean Linzer, David Long, Bobbie Schmitz, Paul Smith, Nancy Ordowski and Mike O’Connor.
Support from additional community leaders is being solicited. Those interested in joining the committee should call Thomson at (480) 816-0043 or Miles at 480-518-5183.
State law prohibits members of the Town Council, Town Manager Ken Buchanan or any other town official from lobbying or contributing financially to support a town ballot measure.
Town officials can present the facts about the ballot issue but cannot urge its passage. Therefore, it falls to community residents who are in favor of the issue to argue for its passage.
