Board debates 10- versus 15-year radio-system bond options, defers final decision to staff/Heidi
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Summary
Supervisors reviewed multiple amortization options for planned radio-system bonds; a 10-year payoff was shown to save about $3 million in total interest versus long-term options, but members asked for staff clarification and will finalize next week.
Iowa County supervisors spent a substantial portion of the meeting reviewing bond-financing options for the county radio system and associated radios and infrastructure.
Speaker 2 led a numerical comparison of proposals that ranged from 10-year level payments to staggered 15-year schedules. He said a 10-year payoff produces lower total interest costs and stated, “So we're saving $3,000,000 by paying it off in 10,” while noting tradeoffs for future boards and debt-service flexibility.
Board members discussed whether to choose a level-payment schedule or a tapered schedule that leaves room in later years for future projects. Several supervisors said a shorter amortization saves the county millions in interest but reduces future flexibility; others favored a 15-year approach to preserve capacity for potential projects. One supervisor suggested calling Heidi (the county’s finance contact) for clarification of the numbers and agreed the board should make a final decision next week after staff confirmation.
No bond action or final vote was taken at the meeting; the board instructed staff to contact the finance advisor and return with clarified figures at the next meeting.