The Ranch Report - Sept. 20, 2015

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COMMUNITY

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community spotlight By Ken Abramczyk comm. spotlight

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Nov. 3 special election focuses on bonds law talk

Voters will decide whether to approve all or part of nearly $96 million in bonds for capital projects throughout Scottsdale in a special election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The projects include rebuilding parks, repaving streets, improving intersections, renovating buildings and upping the energy efficiency of facilities. If all of the bonds are approved, the estimated yearly property tax increase for the owner of a home of $371,000— the city’s average value—would be $42.63. Scottsdale hasn’t had a bond approved in 15 years for such improvements. There is a need to try again. “We have difficulty keeping up (the facilities),” said Dan Worth, public works director. “The sales tax (revenue) classifieds

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goes to day-to-day services.” Gridiron

The ballot includes: Question 1: Parks and Community Facilities, $31.9 million—Vista Del Camino Park/Indian Bend Wash Park renovations and lake rehabilitation; pool chemical safety improvements; energy-efficient lighting upgrades at ballfields; aging park building replacement and water conservation irrigation upgrades. Question 2: Transportation, $16.5 million—Hayden and Chaparral Road intersection improvements; Happy Valley Road improvements from Pima to Alma School Road; Highland Avenue improvements from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Road; downtown pedestrian improvements and McDowell Road

bicycle lane improvements. Question 3: Citywide Technology, $6.8 million—public building energy efficiency upgrades; public building wireless improvements and disaster recovery infrastructure. Question 4: Street Pavement Replacement, $12.5 million— Citywide deteriorated pavement replacement. Question 5: Public Safety-Fire, $16.3 million—Funds to design, acquire, construct, reconstruct, improve, furnish and equip three fire stations and relocate another fire station. Question 6: Public Safety-Police, $11.8 million—Police Civic Center Jail and Station renovation, and police vehicle training track resurfacing. Scottsdale went through a lengthy process to decide on the projects, all of which are high priority, Worth said. “Indian Bend Wash is one of the crown jewels,” Worth said. “We have visitors who come to it and look forward to it, and it’s 40-plus years old.” The City of Scottsdale’s website includes information about the ballot questions, including the language, a question-and-answer

informational piece about the bonds and a list of proposed projects with descriptions. For information, visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/elections. For the informational pamphlet, visit bit. ly/1KqRt1m. “We’re trying to get this information out to the public through the City’s website, public meetings and meetings with groups like the Realtors association and the Chamber of Commerce to explain what the projects are,” Worth said. City Clerk Carolyn Jagger said turnout varies from election to election, but that a “good portion” of the turnout is comprised of voters who mail their ballots. Scottsdale has 149,484 registered voters with 100,316 on the permanent early voting list. “It doesn’t cost anything, and you can vote in the privacy of your own home,” Jagger said. The deadline to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 5. Early ballots will be mailed on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Friday, Oct. 23, is the last day to request an early ballot by mail, and Friday, Oct. 30, is the last day to cast an early ballot at an early voting site.

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