CHANDLER, Ariz. – The Chandler City Council held a recent work session to discuss a resident committee’s recommendations regarding the future use of general obligation bond financing to support the city’s Capital Improvement Program.
The Resident Bond Exploratory Committee, consisting of 31 residents, recommended a package of bond authorization requests for fire, police, streets and parks and recreation totaling $475 million. This recommendation would not increase the city’s property tax rates, but it allows for the continuation of the 10-year Capital Improvement Program. Chandler uses bonds to fund more than 70 percent of its capital projects.
Caring for existing streets, parks, facilities and equipment were identified as priorities by the resident committee. The recommendation includes $183 million for street improvements, $158 million for improvements to parks and recreation facilities, $88 million for fire equipment and facilities and $46 million for police equipment and facilities.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on April 24 whether to call a special election on Nov. 4 to seek voter authorization for general obligation bond financing. Arizona Revised Statute requires cities to obtain voter authorization prior to selling general obligation bonds since secondary property taxes are used to fund the bond interest and principal.
If the City Council calls a bond election, it would be the third general obligation bond authorization request in the past 20 years for Chandler voters to consider. Residents previously approved a $451 million bond package in 2007 and $272 million bond package in 2021. Inflation impacts on capital projects has required the city to request voter authorization sooner than expected.
The City Council also expressed future interest in examining the city’s charter after discussing an opportunity to update the process to adopt zoning and leasing ordinances. Amendments to the city charter require voter approval, but the City Council has elected not to proceed with any changes this year.
Links to Resident Bond Committee Recommendations and City Council Work Session Presentation.