SE Valley Times

The Mesa City Council has scheduled a General Election for November 5, 2024. Residents will vote on four ballot measures that could affect the city's growth and service quality.

Question 1 concerns a Permanent Base Adjustment. This measure involves adjusting a base limit set by the city’s 1979-80 fiscal-year expenditures, which determines the annual expenditure limitation. Voters will decide whether to increase this base limit by $148 million. The adjustment aims to help Mesa plan future budgets for essential municipal functions like public safety without raising taxes. According to city officials, "This adjustment won’t raise taxes and will help Mesa better predict and plan its future budgets for critical municipal functions such as public safety." The adjustment is projected to provide expenditure capacity for 30 years and would eliminate the need for voter approval of the home rule alternative every four years.

Question 2 seeks approval for a $90 million General Obligation Bond aimed at enhancing community safety. Projects under this bond may include fire and medical response stations, replacement and addition of fire apparatuses, improvements to the emergency 911 communications center, expansion of the city's fiber network, and design improvements to streets and intersections.

Question 3 proposes a $170 million General Obligation Bond focused on improving recreational facilities and expanding educational and cultural experiences in Mesa. Potential projects include constructing new parks, renovating existing recreational facilities, implementing water conservation measures at city parks, building new aquatic centers, renovating historic properties like Sirrine House, and improving the i.d.e.a Museum.

Question 4 addresses the adoption of the 2050 General Plan. This plan includes a vision statement, core values, guiding principles, and strategies intended to guide decision-making by city leaders over the next decade. Developed with input from residents and a citizen advisory committee along with existing plans and strategic initiatives from the Mesa City Council, it does not propose any tax increases or changes in property zoning.

The General Obligation Bonds (Questions 2 and 3) are funded through secondary property taxes.

Arguments supporting or opposing these ballot measures must be filed with the Mesa City Clerk’s Office by August 7, 2024. Submissions must include a sworn statement from those sponsoring an argument.

For additional information, contact the Mesa City Clerk's Office at 480-644-4868 or visit mesaaz.gov/elections.