Scottsdale bond oversight panel elects officers, approves bylaws and hears $319M bond program update

At its first meeting of 2025 in March, the Scottsdale Citizens Bond Oversight Committee elected a new chair and vice chair, approved its committee bylaws and annual report, and received detailed status and financial updates on the city’s 2019 bond program and a planned bond issuance.

The action items fronted routine governance matters but the bulk of the meeting focused on spending, schedules and constraints for the $319,000,000 voter-authorized 2019 bond program and on financing plans for a third bond issuance. City Budget Director Scott Celine summarized the city’s position: “the approved bond 2019 program is a $319,000,000 program.”

Why it matters: the committee provides citizen oversight of how voter-authorized bond proceeds are spent. Committee members were shown project-by-project statuses across the bond’s three ballot questions — parks, community spaces/infrastructure, and public safety/technology — and received the program’s financial snapshot ahead of a planned competitive bond sale in May.

Key financial figures and spending status presented by Scott Celine (city budget director) showed remaining budget authority and committed amounts as of Feb. 28, 2025: Question 1 (parks/recreation/senior services) has spent just over $53,000,000, with about $4,000,000 committed and roughly $15,000,000 remaining; Question 2 (community spaces/infrastructure) has spent about $40,500,000, with $6,700,000 committed and about $7,400,000 remaining; Question 3 (public safety/technology) has spent nearly $47,000,000, with just under $13,000,000 committed and about $20,000,000 remaining. The first bond issuance in February 2021 used $55,000,000 of authorization; a second issuance in February 2023 used about $77,800,000. The city is planning a third issuance targeting $107,000,000 later this year, with approximately $79,000,000 in remaining voter authorization projected for 2026–27.

Allison Lisonbee, the city engineer, reviewed project-level progress within the three questions, noting changes since the committee’s prior update and several schedule shifts driven by limited funding or outside approvals. Examples included: construction under way at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park (splash pad and walkway improvements), expansion design initiation for Via Linda Senior Center, evaluation of solar heating concepts for El Dorado Pool, construction nearing closeout on two sports-complex fields near Bell Road, and the February opening of a 17-acre neighborhood park at Asher Hills Drive. Lisonbee said one Question 2 project tied to Scottsdale Stadium was delayed because the stadium project required additional funding and “we will be bringing that forward through the budget process next fiscal year.”

On project eliminations and scope changes, Lisonbee told the committee that a planned update to the city’s digital terrain model was removed after staff confirmed U.S. Geological Survey data met the city’s current needs. On projects requiring state land (Pinnacle Peak Park expansion), staff said they are awaiting an Arizona State Land auction before moving to design and acquisition steps.

Finance staff outlined timing and structure for the proposed May bond sale. Erica (finance staff) explained tax-exempt bond call features: “Yes. Normally, a tax exempt bond has a 10 year par call, so we’re planning on a competitive sale,” and confirmed the city expects to structure the offering as callable debt. Finance Manager Bridal Coombs said the city is working with Piper Sandler (municipal advisor) and bond counsel Greenberg and expects credit rating meetings in April and a competitive sale the week of May 20, with funds available the week of May 19 (final dates to be set when bids are received).

Committee members pressed for reasons behind schedule shifts and clarifications on funding. Member Kamasu asked why the digital terrain model project was cut and was told USGS data sufficed; Member Coughlin asked about the Granite Reef Senior Center timeline and was told a staff workload pushed construction funding into FY 26–27; Member Holland confirmed the new fire training facility is located in the city of Tempe. Committee members also praised the recently opened Asher Hills Park for its playgrounds, courts and walking areas.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (motion: “Move to approve the minutes of the 08/22/2024 meeting.” Mover: Committee member Fisher; second: not specified) — Outcome: approved (recorded as all present voting aye). - Elect chair (motion: nominate Joe DuBois for chair; Mover: Committee member Fisher; Second: committee member Coughlin) — Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Elect vice chair (motion: nominate Brian Coughlin for vice chair; Mover: committee member [not specified]; Second: not specified) — Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve committee bylaws (motion: accept and approve bylaws as presented; Mover: not specified; Second: not specified) — Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Accept Citizens Bond Oversight Committee 2024 annual report (motion: accept presentation/annual report as presented; Mover: not specified; Second: committee member Coughlin) — Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Adjourn (motion: Member Holland moved to adjourn; Second: not specified) — Outcome: approved.

What’s next: staff will return with potential scope-change proposals and project re-prioritizations at the committee’s next meeting in May and will finalize financing details after rating meetings and the competitive sale. The city plans to post a preliminary official statement in April after rating meetings and to close the planned issuance in May if market conditions and bids follow the schedule presented to the committee.

All direct quotes in this article are attributed to speakers recorded in the meeting transcript.