Council considers role, structure of ad hoc bond election committee; staff to reform group and return with changes as needed
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Summary
Council discussed the makeup and purpose of an ad hoc bond-election committee tied to a possible fall bond; council members generally favored retaining a seven-member citizen committee, and staff said terms have expired and they will re-form the committee and return with any ordinance changes.
Council and staff held an extended discussion March 20 about forming an ad hoc citizen bond-election committee ahead of a potential fall bond election. Assistant City Manager Vicky Rios and fiscal staff reviewed the 2023 bond process, community surveying and prior outreach and said a completed community-survey instrument will be reported to council at the April 8 meeting.
Levi Gibson and Rios told council the previous bond committee (created by ordinance Sept. 24, 2019) consisted of seven resident members whose terms expired Jan. 31 and that staff’s role is to "educate and inform" the committee and the public but not to advocate for or against ballot measures. Gibson said staff had presented draft ballot language tied to the council-adopted 10-year capital improvement plan in 2023 and that committee members must file as a political-action committee if they raise more than $1,500 for a campaign.
Council members debated whether the committee should only educate voters and review ballot language or have a formal role making prioritization recommendations about CIP projects. Council Member Thomas Schof (name as spoken) and others advocated that citizen input on prioritization is valuable, while other members cautioned that the council itself adopts the 10-year CIP and ultimately decides project priorities.
City attorney and finance staff clarified legal mechanics: ballot language can be written broadly to preserve council flexibility or can name specific projects (which narrows future use of bond proceeds). City staff said the deadline to notify Maricopa County of intent to hold an election is May 7, and ballot language is normally due in June; staff said they would confirm exact dates with the City Clerk.
Outcome/direction: Council agreed there should be a citizen bond committee and directed staff to re-form the seven-member committee with current appointments and to return with any recommended ordinance changes if council wants the committee to take on a larger role. Staff said they will bring the survey results to council in April and noted that council could decide not to pursue an election once the survey is reviewed.
Why it matters: A bond measure would authorize long-term general-obligation financing for capital projects and would require voter approval; committee structure, ballot language and public education materially affect voter understanding and campaign timelines.
Ending: Staff will bring the community-survey results to the April meeting, re-form the bond committee with expired terms replaced, and return with any draft language changes or timelines required to proceed toward a November bond election.