State Bond Commission approves May 3 ballot propositions, schedules ad hoc election subcommittee

The State Bond Commission on Feb. 20 approved placing a package of local tax and bond propositions on the May 3 ballot, covering ad valorem taxes, sales taxes, parcel fees, home-rule charter amendments and general-obligation bond propositions.

Commission staff told members that items 3 through 43, excluding item 30 (withdrawn), had been reviewed by the staffs of the bond commission, the attorney general's office and the secretary of state's office and that the propositions meet technical requirements and are being recommended for presentation to voters. The secretary of state's filing deadline for the May 3 ballot was stated as March 10.

The commission voted to approve the packet as presented. Representative Johnson moved approval; President Henry seconded. No objection was recorded and the items were approved.

Why it matters: The propositions, if approved by voters, would authorize revenues that commission staff said could be used for hospitals, public infrastructure, public safety, district attorneys, schools, garbage and recycling, libraries, recreation and crime prevention. The commission said it has scheduled an ad hoc election subcommittee meeting; one application had been received for that meeting at the time of the Feb. 20 session.

Supporting details: Commission staff noted the materials include a legal review and that staff recommendation was based on that review. Municipal adviser Wendell Gertner was noted as participating by phone. The motion to approve the grouped items covered items 3'through 43 (excluding item 30), and members were told the propositions would be presented to voters only after meeting the stated technical and legal review.

The commission also approved the minutes of its Jan. 16 meeting earlier in the session; Representative Johnson moved approval and Senator Womack seconded. No objection was recorded.