Havre de Grace Special Election 2020 Ballot Question

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — A special election in the city of Havre de Grace in February will focus on water and sewer infrastructure. At issue is whether citizens will authorize the city's request to seek up to $15 million in bond financing toward capital projects for water distribution and waste water collection systems over the next five years.

The special election will be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 711 Pennington Avenue.

Related: HdG Water Problems: 3 Work Sessions To Discuss Plans

Here is the ballot question:

"The City of Havre de Grace, upon the recommendation of the Water and Sewer Commission, has proposed a plan for the financing of improvements to the City of Havre de Grace’s water and wastewater systems.

"This plan includes the improvement and replacement of distribution and collection systems that are obsolescent and/or failing.

"Under this plan, the City may issue bonds upon the full faith, credit and unlimited taxing power of the City of Havre de Grace with a face value not to exceed $15,000,000.00 over the next five years.

"The City may pay back the bonds plus interest at a rate not to exceed 4.0% over the term of up to 25 years from issuance of the bond proceeds.

"Do you give the City permission to solicit proposals and ascertain options to issue bonds, whether by public or private sale, and to issue bonds (and obtain any necessary interim financing) on the terms and conditions stated above?"

Citizens must answer "yes" or "no."

A copy of the ballot is below.