The City of Buckeye hosted a town hall meeting last week at Desert Sunset Elementary School. Mayor Eric Orsborn and several city government leaders and administrators led the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, which focused on upcoming ballot measures, traffic infrastructure, and commercial and residential growth and expansion.
The meeting covered a lot of ground. One of the topics of discussion was the general obligation bonds Prop 494, Prop 495 information.
What are they?
If approved in the November election, the general obligation bonds will provide funds for infrastructure and public safety projects in the city. This is the Buckeye’s first bond election in nearly 40 years. In December 2023, the City Council formed the 2024 Buckeye General Obligation Bond Exploratory Committee, which met through April and approved the bond election with two questions for voter consideration: Proposition 494 for public safety and Proposition 495 for streets and transportation.
“We are, no kidding, in rapid growth. I think that’s an understatement,” Orsborn said. “It’s crucial to have a plan to invest in infrastructure. … What we need to do is have money available where we can build out some of that stuff that is needed for growth right now, that is happening right now, and into the future.”
How are they funded?
The bond is funded through a secondary property tax combined with the existing primary property tax rate, not to exceed $2.25 million. The current primary property tax is $1.60; the GO bond would increase that by $0.65.
How will they affect your wallet?
You can do the math: Divide your limited property value by 1,000 x 0.65. That number is your annual cost impact.
You can find your property’s value at www.mcassessor.maricopa.gov.
The formula: Limited Property Value / 1,000 x 0.65
Example provided by city: $226,597 / 1,000 x 0.65 = $148 per year
You can also use the city’s calculator here.
Proposition 494: Public safety
Proposition 494 general obligation bond request the approval of $137 million for projects including a $97 million centralized operations public safety headquarters, $30 million for public safety personnel training facilities, $21 million for the Westpark Fire Station and $19 million for the Victory Fire Station.
Proposition 495: Streets and Transportation
Proposition 495 general obligation bond request the approval of $145 million for street infrastructure that aims to improve traffic and increase safety for drivers. This includes $48 million to widen Indian School Rd. from Jackrabbit to Perryville, increasing 303 access. It also includes $11 million to for lighting improvements along Sun Valley Parkway. The proposition will seek to eliminate "pinch-points” throughout the city, according to the city’s website.
