Special Bonds Election in Chandler

Midterm election season isn’t here quite yet, but there are still a few smaller elections occurring throughout the valley. Including a Chandler-specific Special Bond Election. But no need to race the polls, this election is mail-in only, and if you are a qualified registered voter in Chandler your ballots were sent out on October 6th. The election will conclude Tuesday, November 2nd.

The Special Bond Election is not based on individuals and is not affiliated with any political parties. Registered voters in the city of chandler have the chance to dictate how special bonds are distributed to fund large capital improvement programs and projects, setting forth action on the 10-year budget plan.

“In a phrase, this election is a check and balance for the bonds that are issued to city-wide projects, so that we can keep Chandler’s infrastructures and public assets intact and well-kept.” Said Dana Delong, Chandler City Clerk, “Certain public programs request a chunk of a bond with a fiscal proposal and the people of chandler authorize those amounts with their votes.”

The residents vote yes or in opposition to initiatives, and if the amount is authorized by the consensus of Chandler then it will be granted in the form of a tax-exempt bond to that program’s comprehensive cost and plan.

In total, the city is requesting a bond authorization of $272,685,000, which is significantly less than a 2007 bond request and approval of $451,435,000. Residents are voting on five specific initiatives--Two Public safety plans, one for the Chandler Police Department requesting an amount of $55.1 million, and the other for, Chandler Fire Department for $25.1 million. Both departments are requesting bond authorization for similar objectives, funding projects to construct, improve, renovate and remodel police stations and other police-related facilities.

Public Works are requesting the bulk of the sum, with $85.7 million going toward street and transit improvements. Their project plan includes the rehabilitation of streets, avenues, alleyways, and highways integrated into the city grid. It also looks toward the installation or construction of traffic regulating systems and structures and landscape improvements. Parks and Recreations have landscape improvements in their $72.9 million plan as well, with the hope of refining various recreational spaces and parks with the addition of new parks and buildings.

“On the surface, Chandler may seem far from any dire need of Parks and Rec improvements, but there are some particular things the committee would like to do for upgrades and modernizing throughout the city,” said Chandler Community Services Manager Toni Smith, “Acquiring more land to have for open spaces and parks, improving our more dated ones, and the constructing or reconstructing of neighborhoods and communities are just a few foundational projects we hope to tackle with this plan.”

Municipal Facilities are looking to receive an authorizing vote for their $33.5 million projects to renovate and remodel several community resources and facilities like the libraries, office buildings, senior centers, and performing arts center. They will also improve their internal systems such as plumbing, HVAC, roofing, and electrical.

If the bonds are proven to be successful and approved, the estimated amount of the authorization, with interest and principal, will be $355,607,433. It will be paid from secondary property tax collections. There will be fixed payback plans over a span of 15 years, exceeding no more than 25 years. You can get a look at all the programs in-depth at chandleraz.gov/Budget.