Pssst! Didja hear? There's an election coming up in Scottsdale...

Two of them, actually...but they'll be on the same day...

Earlier today, I spotted two signs for an upcoming bond election in Scottsdale.  Not surprised by this, as I've been vaguely aware this has been on the horizon.

What *was* surprising was the fact that a closer look at the two signs reveal that one wasn't related to the Scottsdale bond questions.  Nope, one is related to a school district override election.

I don't have much information on either issue right now.

Information on the Scottsdale bonds election, from the City of Scottsdale -

The City of Scottsdale, Arizona (the “City”), will hold a Special Election, on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 for the purposes of:

1. Seeking approval of bonds for park improvements/community facilities, public safety, flood control and transportation and street upgrades in the principal amount not to exceed $212,100,000 (the estimated average tax rate for the proposed bond authorization is $0.2174 per $100 of secondary assessed valuation); and
2. Submitting to the voters as Question 5 the proposed potable water utility distribution franchise agreement, deemed beneficial to the City by the Scottsdale City Council in Resolution No. 9405.

Bond Question 1 seeks voter authorization to sell $50,400,000 general obligation bonds for parks, libraries and community facilities.

Bond Question 2 seeks voter authorization to sell $43,700,000 general obligation bonds for public safety.


Bond Question 3 seeks voter authorization to sell $19,000,000 general obligation bonds for neighborhood flood protection and storm sewers.


Bond Question 4 seeks voter authorization to sell $99,000,000 general obligation bonds for transportation, streets and trails.

Ballot Language for Questions 1 through 4

Questions 1 through 4 will be presented to the qualified voters of the City of Scottsdale in an informational pamphlet.  The pamphlet will be mailed to the households of all registered voters prior to the start of early voting.  Bonds issued pursuant to Questions 1 through 4 will result in a property tax increase sufficient to pay annual debt service on the bonds.


Arguments supporting or opposing one or more of the bond questions (Questions 1 through 4) may be submitted for publication in the informational pamphlet.  Each argument cannot exceed 300 words in length and must contain the original, notarized signature of each person sponsoring it.  The residence or post office address and phone number of each signer must be on the argument, but will not be printed in the informational pamphlet.  If an argument is sponsored by an organization, the original, notarized signatures of two executive officers of the organization are required.  If an argument is sponsored by a political committee, the original, notarized signature of the committee’s chair or treasurer is required.  A payment of $100.00, to offset a portion of the cost of paper and printing the argument, must accompany the filing of each argument.


Arguments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at the following location:

Scottsdale City Clerk’s Office,
3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

Question 5 asks voters to consider whether a franchise shall be granted to EPCOR Water Arizona Inc. and Chaparral City Water Company to maintain and operate a potable water distribution system in the City of Scottsdale, and future additions thereto, in accordance with the agreement submitted by the Mayor and City Council in Resolution No. 9405.
 

Ballot Language for Question 5

Proposed Franchise Agreement

For more information, please call the Scottsdale City Clerk at (480) 312-2411.

The City of Scottsdale will publish an informational pamphlet with pro and con arguments; when available, it should be on their Elections webpage, linked above.


Information on the school district override election from the Scottsdale Unified School District -

They have a full presentation on the override here, but one of the slides is a perfect illustration of where the lege's attitude toward public education has brought Arizona -

SUSD will host a series of informational sessions on the override -

	September 12 – Coronado Learning Community Coronado High School - from 6-8 p.m. 7501 E. Virginia Ave. Scottsdale 85257		September 30 – Arcadia Learning Community Arcadia High School - from 6-8 p.m. 4703 E. Indian School Road Phoenix 85018

September 17 – Chaparral Learning Community Chaparral High School - from 6-8 p.m. 6935 E. Gold Dust Ave. Scottsdale 85253

Full disclosure time:

Scottsdale election: I don't have a position on any of the bond questions as yet, and am leaning toward a "no" vote on the franchise agreement, out of general cynicism, but will find out more before actually casting my vote on any of the questions.

School district override:  Yes.  Duh.