AUGUST 5, 2015
Back to Basics: New, Reduced Scottsdale Bond Campaign
SCOTTSDALE – Some 15 years after the city’s last bond election was approved, and years of recession-induced municipal budget cuts, Scottsdale voters will have a chance to enhance key community infrastructure through a series of modest yet needed bond issues that will come before voters November 3rd. The total spending plan is $95.9 million dollars and will make city-wide improve-ments for parks, trans-portation, technology, street pavement replacement, police, and fire stations.
Yes On Scottsdale Bonds 2015 was formed to spread the word on the effort. The group is led by private and public sector Scottsdale leaders. CPA Barry Graham is the chairman and currently serves on Scottsdale's Transportation Commission. The honorary chairs are Scottsdale City Councilmembers Linda Milhaven and David N Smith. Longtime Scottsdale resident Kevin Maxwell is the group’s Treasurer. He owns a business in Scottsdale and is also a Scottsdale Leadership alumnus. Also joining the leadership team is Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson.
The leadership team is committed to the belief that the improvements outlined in the bond package are what’s needed to keep Scottsdale moving in the right direction. The package will repave streets city wide, rebuild parks, improve intersections, and ensure first responders have the tools they need to keep us safe.
Among those supporting the effort is Scottsdale City Councilmember Kathy Littlefield who helped lead successful opposition to a $212 million bond package in 2013. Littlefield said, “To the best of my ability after 6 months of scrutinizing each issue, only those projects necessary for the well-being of Scottsdale and its citizens remain. I urge you to study the six questions and seriously consider voting FOR these bonds.”
Councilmember Smith, who previously served as Scottsdale’s Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer during three difficult financial years said it’s time for the City to rebuild after the Great Recession, “Unfortunately, the funding authorization which voters approved in 2000 has been exhausted and tax collections into the General Fund that might supplement that bond authorization have still not recovered to their pre-recession levels.”
Graham, who is a CPA added, “Taxes in Scottsdale are lower than nearly all other Valley cities and will remain so if these measures are approved.”
Councilmember Milhaven said these projects really can’t wait, “Great cities like Scottsdale do great things like preserve the McDowell Mountains and create the Indian Bend Wash, but we also must attend to basic infrastructure needs, something we haven’t done for 15 years.”
Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson was no less enthusiastic about his support. “Tourism is critical to the economy of Scottsdale. When visitors come here we must provide the basic government services needed to maintain our status as a desirable destination.”
If approved by voters the bond package will cost homeowners just 11 1/2 cents per $100 of net assessed valuation. For the average Scottsdale home, valued at $370,000, the cost would be less than $3.50 per month.
