Peterson: ask voters on large bonds; voted against Alpine tax increase

Emily Peterson said she opposed Alpine School District’s recent tax increase and would prefer to put large capital projects before voters. “I voted no to the tax hike,” she said, adding the board vote was 5–2.

Peterson said voters should decide on expensive projects such as replacing multiple elementary schools and described a hypothetical ‘‘plan A’’ of a bond on the ballot and a ‘‘plan B’’ contingency if voters reject the measure. She warned that projects such as seismic upgrades and full rebuilds are expensive — referencing an approximate $120,000,000 price tag for replacing three elementary schools — and said taxpayers should have a voice before the district takes on such costs.

She said lease‑revenue or mortgage‑style financing is less desirable than asking voters directly on a bond, and that the district should be transparent with the public about tradeoffs (for example, closing schools vs. using portables) if a bond fails.