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Union County adopts $37.8 million bond ordinance to fund capital projects
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved Bond Ordinance 850-2024, authorizing $37,783,130 in appropriations and up to $23,805,044 in bonds and bond anticipation notes to finance capital improvements and equipment purchases.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 18 adopted Bond Ordinance 850-2024, authorizing $37,783,130 in appropriations and the issuance of up to $23,805,044 in bonds and an equal amount in bond anticipation notes to finance public improvements, equipment, furnishings and vehicles.
The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote after the board opened the meeting for public comment. Chairwoman Palmeri Mudett called for final reading and adoption; Commissioner Rebecca Williams moved the ordinance and Commissioner Bodak seconded the motion. The clerk recorded six affirmative votes and the ordinance was declared adopted.
Bruce Patterson of Garwood questioned the ordinance during the public comment period, asking why the amount in the bond ordinance differed from figures he recalled in the county's capital budget. Director Taylor replied that “a capital budget is not an authorization” and explained that the capital budget appended to the operating budget is a working document; funds are only appropriated—and projects made “real”—when a bond ordinance is adopted. Taylor also said the county is paying down more debt this year than it is authorizing, noting the county is reducing net debt over the past decade.
The bond ordinance text read into the record lists specific appropriation and financing figures and authorizes the issuance of bonds and bond anticipation notes. County officials did not enumerate individual projects in the ordinance reading; they said the ordinance consolidates departmental needs into the appropriation.
The board followed statutory notice and public hearing procedures under the Open Public Meetings Act before voting.
The ordinance's immediate effect is to permit staff to proceed with project planning and procurement steps that require appropriated funds. County officials noted the county is both authorizing new borrowing and continuing a multi-year trend of reducing overall debt.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 850-2024 — Motion: move for final reading and advertise; Mover: Commissioner Rebecca Williams; Second: Commissioner Bodak; Vote: 6–0 in favor; Outcome: adopted.
Clerk and department staff said project-level details and timelines will be provided as procurement steps and grant match determinations proceed.
