Voter Services
Proposed City General Obligation Bonds and LWVSFC Positions
Three bond issues will be on the ballot for the municipal election on March 6. Property taxes will be assessed to pay for any bonds that are passed.
The League does not support or oppose any of these bond issues. However, for our members, a committee has prepared an overview of the proposed bond issues in light of LWVSFC positions. (A summary of the LWV positions is available in the 2011-12 LWV Handbook.)
In addition, we include the projected tax impact of each bond proposal for a residential property with an appraised value of $300,000 and an assessed value of $100,000, based on responses from Dr. Mel Morgan, the City’s Finance Director. Please note that the LWV does not yet have a position on how the financial aspects of bond issues should be evaluated, although a study group is working on this now.
Members of this League have studied City and County uses and needs for open space, parks, land conservation and sustainability various times since its inception 60 years ago. Early conclusions and positions have been reached on a variety of land use issues. These have been restudied, modified and supported almost every decade.
How do the proposed bond issues meet LWV positions?
Bond Proposal #1, Public Safety Bonds - $5 million to acquire, design, construct and improve buildings and equipment for police and fire protection and public safety purposes. (This proposal is expected to raise the property tax on a residence with an appraised value of $300,000 by approximately $11.82 per year for 30 years.)
Bond Proposal #2, Parks and Trails - $14 million. (This proposal is expected to raise the property tax on a residence with an appraised value of $300,000 by approximately $33.08 per year for 30 years.)
· $6 million is to improve and extend the city’s bikeways and trails system.
- $2 million will be used to construct an underpass at St. Francis and West Alameda
- $4 million to continue implementing the 5 year Bicycle Master Plan such as lane striping, signage and bike racks.
· $5 million to build Phase 1 of a park in Tierra Contenta for playing fields, picnic areas, basketball court and play grounds. There will be a need for an access road and parking.
· $3 million to continue improvement of parks not completed by the 2008 $30 million General Obligation Bonds.
The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County supports green belts, open spaces, parks and trails in developing areas. The LWV believes there should be long-range planning and adequate funding for acquisition, development, management and the provision for public safety on public lands. The primary concerns of members expressed during discussions has been the need for developing long-range plans that include community involvement, outlining priorities, and providing for on-going maintenance, operations and security.
Provisions for security and the privacy of citizens living near parks and open spaces to prevent parties late into the night, tagging, transients setting up camp, and the use of dirt bikes and ATVs are lacking.
Bond Proposal #3, - Sustainable Environment - $3.8 million. (This proposal is expected to raise the property tax on a residence with an appraised value of $300,000 by approximately $8.96 per year for 30 years.)
The League supports terrain management techniques to control drainage and prevent erosion primarily by the use of native plants. Planning for land use and management must be transparent and include maximum participation of all interested citizens, not be limited to a chosen few.
The content of this article was prepared by a committee of LWVSFC members chaired by Rebecca Frenkel.
Details about these bonds are at the City of Santa Fe website, www.santafenm.gov. On the left sidebar, click on "March 6 Opportunity Bond Questions".
The League does not support or oppose any of these bond issues. However, for our members, a committee has prepared an overview of the proposed bond issues in light of LWVSFC positions. (A summary of the LWV positions is available in the 2011-12 LWV Handbook.)
In addition, we include the projected tax impact of each bond proposal for a residential property with an appraised value of $300,000 and an assessed value of $100,000, based on responses from Dr. Mel Morgan, the City’s Finance Director. Please note that the LWV does not yet have a position on how the financial aspects of bond issues should be evaluated, although a study group is working on this now.
Members of this League have studied City and County uses and needs for open space, parks, land conservation and sustainability various times since its inception 60 years ago. Early conclusions and positions have been reached on a variety of land use issues. These have been restudied, modified and supported almost every decade.
How do the proposed bond issues meet LWV positions?
Bond Proposal #1, Public Safety Bonds - $5 million to acquire, design, construct and improve buildings and equipment for police and fire protection and public safety purposes. (This proposal is expected to raise the property tax on a residence with an appraised value of $300,000 by approximately $11.82 per year for 30 years.)
- $1.5 million is to fund the completion of renovation and expansion of the Police Department facility by adding 5 thousand sq. ft. of office space. This is in anticipation of annexation expanding city limits south to I-25 and the need for more officers.
- $3.5 million is for a new fire station in the southern part of the city in anticipation of annexation.
Bond Proposal #2, Parks and Trails - $14 million. (This proposal is expected to raise the property tax on a residence with an appraised value of $300,000 by approximately $33.08 per year for 30 years.)
· $6 million is to improve and extend the city’s bikeways and trails system.
- $2 million will be used to construct an underpass at St. Francis and West Alameda
- $4 million to continue implementing the 5 year Bicycle Master Plan such as lane striping, signage and bike racks.
· $5 million to build Phase 1 of a park in Tierra Contenta for playing fields, picnic areas, basketball court and play grounds. There will be a need for an access road and parking.
· $3 million to continue improvement of parks not completed by the 2008 $30 million General Obligation Bonds.
The League of Women Voters of Santa Fe County supports green belts, open spaces, parks and trails in developing areas. The LWV believes there should be long-range planning and adequate funding for acquisition, development, management and the provision for public safety on public lands. The primary concerns of members expressed during discussions has been the need for developing long-range plans that include community involvement, outlining priorities, and providing for on-going maintenance, operations and security.
Provisions for security and the privacy of citizens living near parks and open spaces to prevent parties late into the night, tagging, transients setting up camp, and the use of dirt bikes and ATVs are lacking.
Bond Proposal #3, - Sustainable Environment - $3.8 million. (This proposal is expected to raise the property tax on a residence with an appraised value of $300,000 by approximately $8.96 per year for 30 years.)
- $1.8 million would be for a photovoltaic solar energy system at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center to provide for a portion of the center’s energy needs, thereby reducing electrical costs.
- $2 million is for watershed and arroyo projects. Included would be correcting for substandard drainage through some arroyos by replacing culverts, and changes to prevent sediment buildup and erosion.
The League supports terrain management techniques to control drainage and prevent erosion primarily by the use of native plants. Planning for land use and management must be transparent and include maximum participation of all interested citizens, not be limited to a chosen few.
The content of this article was prepared by a committee of LWVSFC members chaired by Rebecca Frenkel.
Details about these bonds are at the City of Santa Fe website, www.santafenm.gov. On the left sidebar, click on "March 6 Opportunity Bond Questions".
2012 Youth Voter Registration Project
We’re conducting a Youth Voter Registration Project to engage high school and community college students in the electoral process. More than half of all 18 year old citizens in the U.S. were not registered to vote as of 2008. Our project will target underrepresented communities to support voter registration in the coming winter and spring.
We will recruit and train students to coordinate voter education and registration in schools. League volunteers will work with the students to plan and schedule presentations and help register students on site. The Voter Services Committee is working on this project, supported in part by grants from the League of Women Voters Education Fund and other donors. We welcome volunteers to help with it.
Candidate Forums
The League sponsors candidate forums. They are independent and do not represent any group or party. The first one for the 2012 municipal election will be scheduled early in the year.
Voter Guides
The Voter Guides provide information on the candidates and their views, bonds and other voting issues.
Key Voting Dates
City of Santa Fe Municipal Election:
3/6/12 Election
2012 Primary /General Elections:
6/5/12 Primary Election Day
11/6/12 Election Day
Follow these links for information on voting from the Santa Fe County Clerk
We’re conducting a Youth Voter Registration Project to engage high school and community college students in the electoral process. More than half of all 18 year old citizens in the U.S. were not registered to vote as of 2008. Our project will target underrepresented communities to support voter registration in the coming winter and spring.
We will recruit and train students to coordinate voter education and registration in schools. League volunteers will work with the students to plan and schedule presentations and help register students on site. The Voter Services Committee is working on this project, supported in part by grants from the League of Women Voters Education Fund and other donors. We welcome volunteers to help with it.
Candidate Forums
The League sponsors candidate forums. They are independent and do not represent any group or party. The first one for the 2012 municipal election will be scheduled early in the year.
Voter Guides
The Voter Guides provide information on the candidates and their views, bonds and other voting issues.
Key Voting Dates
City of Santa Fe Municipal Election:
3/6/12 Election
2012 Primary /General Elections:
6/5/12 Primary Election Day
11/6/12 Election Day
Follow these links for information on voting from the Santa Fe County Clerk
