Bonds - philisley.us

PROPOSITION NO. 1

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE ANCHORAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT BONDS

For the purpose of providing educational capital improvements, construction, upgrades, planning,design, and renovation of school facilities and educational facility building life extension projects withinAnchorage, as provided in AO 2023-123, shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $62,370,000 inprincipal amount of general obligation bonds? The general obligation bond proceeds will be used to pay costs of constructing, renovating, installing, planning, designing, acquiring, and equipping educational capital improvement projects including, but not limited to, roof replacements, structural, and seismic upgrades at Alpenglow Elementary School, Central Middle School, and Chugiak High School construction of security vestibules and security improvements at Kasuun, Lake Hood, and Klatt Elementary Schools renovation design for Romig Middle School replacement of Inlet View Elementary School and planning and design for 2024/2025 projects. Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated 2024 assessed valuation) an annual increase in taxes of approximately $12.69 to retire the proposed bonds. 2/11/24 First Notice of Election 4. The debt will be paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected areawide in Anchorage. Anchorage will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the bonds.

The $12.69 per $100,000, increase in property tax is $45.55 per average Anchorage home for this year. The money can be used on anything, ASD gets to keep the change for what is not spent and the tax payer shoulders the long term debt. Renters think it does not affect them, but increased property tax is passed on through everything you purchase or rent. How much is the long term debt and when will we start paying it down? Remember when the ASD budget was $20 million short and they told us how they would be crippled without the increase? When they did not get the it, they found the $20 million in their budget. Then do you remember the same thing happened again the next year? For me, it is difficult to trust the ASD when they have a short fall and really need money. I think their total budget this year is over $700 million. I could live with this if we rated higher in education in the nation or even in the state, but our rating is not that great. The ASD really needs to focus on teachers teaching students and the students. It is said that 85% of children that can’t read by the fourth grade will end up on welfare or in jail. We are 49th out of 50 in the nation for fourth grade reading. Isn’t it time to require achievement standards for grades 1 thru 4? Some say it is too hard on a child’s self-esteem to hold them back a grade or tell them they are not doing well, but how do you think their self-esteem is when they are in jail or on welfare? It is time for standards.

PROPOSITION NO. 2

AMENDING THE ANCHORAGE MUNICIPAL CHARTER TO REQUIRE ASSEMBLY CONFIRMATION OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF THE MUNICIPALITY

This proposition would amend the Anchorage Municipal Charter to read as follows (underline andbolded words are proposed new words): Section 5.02. – Powers of the mayor.(a) The mayor shall appoint all heads of municipal departments and the chief medical officer of themunicipality, subject to confirmation by the assembly, on the basis of professional qualifications.Persons appointed by the mayor serve at the pleasure of the mayor. Shall the Anchorage Municipal Charter be amended as set forth above?

No, stop the assembly’s power grab. The charter was designed to balance power and the assembly is too powerful at this time. The assembly controls the clerk in charge of elections and the ombudsman, after their response to COVID, please don’t give them control of the chief medical officer.

PROPOSITION NO. 3

ANCHORAGE ROADS AND DRAINAGE SERVICE AREA ROADS AND STORM DRAINAGE BONDS

For the purpose of providing roads and storm drainage capital acquisition, construction, renovationand upgrades in the Anchorage Roads and Drainage Service Area, as provided in AO 2024-4, shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $47,110,000 in principal amount of general obligation bonds and increase the municipal tax cap by an annual amount not to exceed $48,000 to pay for associated annual operations and maintenance costs? Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated 2024 assessed valuation in the Anchorage Roads and Drainage Service Area):(i) an annual increase in taxes of approximately $12.43 to retire the proposed bonds, and (ii) an annual increase in the municipal tax cap (Charter 14.03(b)(2)) of approximately $0.17 to pay for annual operation and maintenance costs related to the proposed capital improvements. The debt shall be paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected within the Anchorage Roads and Drainage Service Area, without cost to properties in Chugiak, Eagle River, Girdwood and other areas outside the Service Area. The Municipality will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the debt.

This bond increases the tax cap and should require a 60% vote to pass. The question is will the election be certified with it passing at 50% plus 1? If it is, to whom can we complain? Do we really need to increase our liabilities when we are facing a budget deficit? I know it is only $12.43 per $100,000, for the life of the bond and $0.17 per $100,000 forever, but that is about $45 a year for the average Anchorage home and it adds up. When are going to start paying off the credit cards? Please vote no until we are financially solvent again.

PROPOSITION NO. 4

ANCHORAGE PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICE AREA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS

For the purpose of renovating and rehabilitating trails and parks, and making improvements at variousparks and recreational facilities in the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service Area, as provided inAO 2024-7, shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $4,350,000 in principal amount of generalobligation bonds and increase the municipal tax cap by an annual amount not to exceed $241,000 to pay for associated annual operations and maintenance costs? Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated 2024 assessed valuation in the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service Area):(i) an annual increase in taxes of approximately $1.04 to retire the proposed bonds, and (ii) an annual increase in the municipal tax cap (Charter 14.03(b)(2)) of approximately $0.75 to pay for annual operation and maintenance costs related to the proposed capital improvements. The debt shall be paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected within the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service Area, without cost to properties in Chugiak, Eagle River, Girdwood, and other areas outside the Service Area. The Municipality will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the bonds.

This bond raises the tax cap and also should require 60% to pass. I would like to see the homeless be given jobs. I think that some of the 3,700 homeless could work for parks and recreation to improve the parks and trails in return for the food, clothing, and shelter provided for them by tax payers. I hear lots of reasons why this can’t be done, but it hasn’t been tried. It is time for people to get involved and give back to our community. People need a reason to exist. People that live in the parks should know how to take care of the parks. I know there would be an initial adjustment, but if we put as much effort into making it happen and we do claiming it will fail, I believe it would be a breeze. Please vote no on this bond.

PROPOSITION NO. 5

ANCHORAGE METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE AREA BONDS

For the purpose of reconstructing the roof and renovating the heating delivery system at APD ElmoreStation in the Anchorage Metropolitan Police Service Area as provided in AO 2024-3, shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $1,500,000 in principal amount of general obligation bonds? Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated 2024 assessed valuation in the Anchorage Metropolitan Police Service Area)an annual increase in taxes of approximately $0.31 to retire the proposed bonds. The debt shall be paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected within the Anchorage Metropolitan Police Service Area, which consists of areas north of McHugh Creek (other than Fire Island), without cost to properties in Girdwood, Bird, Indian, Rainbow, Portage and other areas outside the Service Area. The Municipality will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the bonds.

I think we probably need this work done. However, we need to learn to maintain our facilities. The assembly should be able to find this money in the budget and do repairs with maintenance personnel. This is not a time to expand our debt so I ask you to please vote no on this bond.

PROPOSITION NO. 6

AREAWIDE PUBLIC SAFETY AND TRANSIT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS

For the purpose of acquiring new replacement ambulances acquiring and replacing transit vehicles and support equipment undertaking signal system, signage, traffic calming, and safety improvements and undertaking school zone safety improvements, bus stop improvements, and improvements to transit facilities and centers, in Anchorage as provided in AO 2024-8(S), As Amended, shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $4,560,000 in principal amount of general obligation bonds and increase the municipal tax cap by an annual amount not to exceed $125,000 to pay for associated annual operations and maintenance costs? Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated 2024 areawide assessed valuation in Anchorage): (i) an annual increase in 2/11/24 First Notice of Election 5 taxes of approximately $0.93 to retire the proposed bonds, and (ii) an annual increase in the municipal tax cap (Charter 14.03(b)(2)) of approximately $0.33 to pay for annual operation and maintenance costs related to the proposed capital improvements. The debt shall be paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected areawide within Anchorage. The Municipality will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the bonds.

This is another bond that increases the tax cap and should require 60% of the vote. The thing that really bothers me about these bonds is they combine parts of the operating budget with the capitol budget. We are actually bonding jobs. I thought this was illegal, but the muni seems to do it without a problem. It is nice that they put the ambulances up front to make you feel like it is a safety issue. It reminds me of the spice incident that was used to justify new ambulances with crews.

PROPOSITION NO. 7

AREAWIDE CEMETERY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BONDS

For the purpose of providing areawide cemetery equipment and areawide cemetery capital improvements within the Municipality of Anchorage, including Anchorage Memorial Park, Girdwood Cemetery and Eagle River Cemetery, as provided in AO 2024-5(S), shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $4,100,000 in principal amount of general obligation bonds and increase the municipal tax cap by an annual amount not to exceed $5,000 to pay for associated annual operations and maintenance costs? Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated 2024 areawide assessed valuation in Anchorage): (i) an annual increase in taxes of approximately $0.83 to retire the proposed bonds, and (ii) an annual increase in the municipal tax cap (Charter 14.03(b)(2)) of approximately $0.01 to pay for annual operation and maintenance costs related to the proposed equipment and capital improvements. The debt shall be paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected areawide within Anchorage. The Municipality will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the bonds.

This proposition also raises the tax cap and should require 60% to be approved. This is another place where we could put the 3,700 homeless to work to build their self-esteem and give them purpose in life. Faternal organizations could also volunteer to accomplish the improvements listed in this proposition. It is time for the people to give back to the community. Please vote no on this bond.

PROPOSITION NO. 8

Portland Loo type or similar, as provided in AO 2023-114(S-1), As Amended, shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $5,000,000 in principal amount of general obligation bonds and increase the municipal tax cap by an annual amount not to exceed $300,000 to pay for associated annual operations and maintenance costs? Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated 2024 areawide assessed valuation in Anchorage): (i) an annual increase in taxes of approximately $1.01 to retire the proposed bonds, and (ii) an annual increase in the municipal tax cap (Charter 14.03(b)(2)) of approximately $0.79 to pay for annual operation and maintenance costs related to the proposed capital improvements. The debt shall be paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected areawide within Anchorage. The Municipality will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the bonds. AREAWIDE PUBLIC RESTROOM BONDS For the purpose of providing areawide public restrooms within the Municipality of Anchorage, of The Municipality will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the bonds.

This is yet another increase of the tax cap to increase employees and the operating budget. It seems that everything that has been given to the homeless have been wrecked by the homeless leaving the tax payer to bring it back to standard. Apparently, the homeless wrecked some portapotties so some municipal employees feel a challenge to build an indestructible portapottie. We the tax payers are expected to fund this challenge. I feel it would be better to deal with the homeless problem then work around the issue. Please vote no on this bond.

PROPOSITION NO. 9

CHUGACH STATE PARK ACCESS SERVICE AREA BONDS

For the purpose of providing public access improvements to roads and for parking to trailheads of theChugach State Park and within the Chugach State Park Access Service Area, including Canyon Road, asprovided in AO 2023-132(S), shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $4,000,000 in principal amount of general obligation bonds? Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated 2024 assessed valuation in the Chugach State Park Access Service Area) an annual increase in taxes of approximately $0.95 to retire the proposed bonds. The debt shall be paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected within the Chugach State Park Access Service Area, without cost to properties outside the Service Area. The Municipality will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the debt.

This is a nice to have bond, but it is like buying flowers when you are worried about paying the rent. It is also another project the 3,700 homeless people could do for their cloths, food, and housing. Please vote no on this bond.