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Troy council approves $137 million bond proposal, places 1.1‑mill, 20‑year ask on November ballot
Summary
After extended public comment and staff presentations, Troy City Council voted 6–1 to submit a $137 million capital bond to voters in November. The measure would fund a new library, major road work, parks and recreation projects and public‑safety equipment and is structured as a 20‑year, 1.1‑mill request.
Troy City Council on Monday voted to submit a $137 million capital bond proposal to voters in November, approving a 20‑year plan that would carry a 1.1‑mill levy if voters approve it.
City Manager Frank Nastasi summarized the package during the meeting, laying out a breakdown that totals about $137 million: roughly $75.9 million for a new library, $35 million for streets (including Coolidge and Wattles), $17 million for parks and recreation, and $10 million for public safety projects, including fire apparatus, body‑worn cameras and technology upgrades.
Why it matters: Council members and staff said the city’s capital fund has declined over time and that deferred maintenance across buildings, roads and parks has reached a level that requires a large, one‑time infusion of funds. Finance staff and council members repeatedly framed public safety as the first priority and said a new library building is “functionally obsolete.”
Nastasi and staff presented two repayment options during the meeting: a shorter 20‑year schedule and a longer 30‑year schedule. Staff’s cost slides showed a 20‑year scenario at roughly 1.13 mills and a 30‑year scenario at about 0.95 mills, but council members negotiated the final ballot structure and settled on a 20‑year, 1.1‑mill proposal.
Council debate centered on three themes: whether to use a 20‑ or 30‑year term, how much projects would cost and how the request would be received by voters. Several council members and the city manager said the city’s operating finances are in good shape but that the capital fund is “bare bones” (finance staff said the capital fund balance is about $2 million), leaving the city unable to cover major roof, building and roadway projects without a bond.
Opponents of the longer term argued a 30‑year bond would cost more in interest over time and could “shackle” future councils with long debt service. Mayor Pro Tem Gunn argued the library and the other capital needs should be presented to voters on separate questions so residents could choose which projects to support, but that approach did not receive council support.
Council members cited a preliminary survey commissioned by Friends of the Troy Public Library and conducted by MS City Market Research. The consultant, Carl Schmidt, told council that a 0.9‑mill option tested better than 1.1 in an early 400‑respondent poll (0.9 at about 47% likely yes with ±5% margin; 1.1 at about 35%), but multiple council members said they preferred the 20‑year, 1.1‑mill structure for fiscal and policy reasons.
The motion to place the 20‑year, 1.1‑mill bond on the ballot passed 6–1. Council Member Hodorick moved the resolution and Council Member Brooks seconded it. The roll call vote recorded: Council Member Brooks — yes; Council Member Chamberlain Kringa — yes; Council Member Chanda — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Gunn — no; Council Member Hamilton — yes; Council Member Hodorick — yes; Mayor Baker — yes.
The approved bond package will go before voters in November. If the measure fails, city officials said they will re‑prioritize capital projects and likely shift spending back toward public safety and urgent building repairs.
Provenance: City Manager Frank Nastasi introduced the bond package during the agenda item and multiple council members and staff discussed financing, term lengths, capital fund balances and public feedback before the motion and vote.
