District finance advisor outlines $50M–$75M bond scenarios as final bond payments near zero; board to form facilities committee and survey voters

Mike LaValle, a public finance adviser with Stifel, told the Casa Grande Union High School District Governing Board on Monday that the district has roughly $145 million in statutory bonding capacity and presented two example bond packages — $50 million and $75 million — that would fund capital projects while keeping near current tax-rate levels.

LaValle walked the board through the district’s 10‑year assessed‑value history, the mechanics of Arizona’s statutory bonding calculation and how remaining principal on older debt affects capacity. “For the record, I’m Mike LaValle. I’m with Stifel,” he said as he began his presentation. He noted the district has only two remaining debt payments and that those payments end on July 1, 2026 — an event that creates an opportunity to maintain a steady bond tax rate if the board pursues new voter authorization now.

LaValle said the district’s current bond tax rate is about $0.31 per $100 of assessed value and that, under a scenario sized at $50 million and structured over 20 years, the district could “structure those bonds in such a way where we keep it at or below 31¢ going forward.” Under a larger $75 million scenario he projected…