Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Bond Feasibility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board moves forward with feasibility research on possible bond-extension that could raise ~ $210M without increasing current tax bills
Summary
Trustees voted 3–2 to authorize voter research and feasibility work on a potential Prop 39 facilities bond tax-rate extension; consultants said continuing the district's current tax rate could raise about $210 million and that initial polling would cost roughly $50,000.
The Vallejo City Unified School District board voted to start feasibility work and community outreach for a possible Prop 39 facilities bond on Jan. 14, approving an initial exploratory phase by a 3–2 margin.
Consultants from Team Civics and ISM Advisors told the board that a Prop 39 measure (55% approval threshold) could be structured as a tax-rate extension that maintains the district’s existing local tax rate (roughly $75 per $100,000 of assessed value) rather than increasing what current property owners pay. Jeff Pickett of ISM Advisors said that continuing the current tax rate could raise roughly $210 million; asking up to the Prop 39 maximum tax rate (the $60 per $100,000 statutory cap for new authorizations) across the district could generate between about $250 million and $315 million, depending on assumptions.
Jeremy Houser of Team Civics summarized the work required before deciding whether to place a measure on the ballot: “A lot of that work happens long before election day,” he said, noting the need for community outreach and scientifically valid voter opinion research. The consultants recommended voter research to test whether taxpayers would accept a tax-rate extension and which projects the community would support.
Trustees debated timing and optics. Trustee Doctor Young said he had concerns about conducting paid polling and asking voters to support a measure while the district is implementing staff reductions and school closures. Vice President Flores also voiced concern about timing and said she could not support moving forward now. The consultant estimated the first phase of voter research would cost about $50,000.
After discussion, the board authorized the exploratory work and research (motion passed 3 yes, 2 no). Trustees Fox, Hodges and President Amboy voted in favor; Trustees Doctor Young and Vice President Flores voted no.
Consultants said the next steps would include voter research, community engagement, and developing a project list and accountability provisions; if the board later chooses to place a bond on the ballot, the board would need a two-thirds vote to call a Prop 39 bond election and to adopt the full measure, including a detailed project list and oversight provisions.
