SE Valley Times

The Resident Bond Exploratory Committee in Chandler, Arizona, led by former Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, has submitted its recommendations to the City Council concerning future general obligation bond financing. The committee suggests a total of $475 million in authorization requests aimed at enhancing the city's capital improvement program.

The proposed allocations include $183 million for street improvements, $158 million for parks and recreation facilities, $88 million for fire equipment and facilities, and $46 million for police equipment and facilities.

The City Council is tasked with evaluating these recommendations to decide on holding an election to seek voter approval for the bond financing. According to Arizona Revised Statute, cities must obtain voter consent before selling general obligation bonds and using secondary property taxes to fund them.

Chandler relies on bonds for nearly 70 percent of its 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. The city can request up to $620 million in bond authorization without altering the current secondary property tax rate.

In September, a committee of 31 residents was established by the Chandler City Council to assess programs needing funding. They examined city facilities and parks and reviewed potential uses of bond authorization totaling $728 million. After thorough evaluation since September, they recommended the $475 million package.

If a bond election is called by the City Council, it will mark the third such request in two decades for Chandler voters. Previous approvals included a $451 million package in 2007 and a $272 million package in 2021.