Bunkham County sets $30M open-space and $40M housing bonds for Nov. ballot

Bunkham County commissioners voted June 18 to place two general-obligation bond referenda on the Nov. 3 ballot: a $30 million open-space bond and a $40 million housing bond aimed at building affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents.

Melissa Moore, who presented the measures, said Trust for Public Land polling of 410 local voters found 65% support for the open-space question on an initial ballot-language draft and 70% support once the average homeowner cost was included. She told the board the open-space bond is framed to fund land protection, parks, greenways and related infrastructure and estimated the 20-year principal-and-interest cost at about $47,615,115, with an approximate tax increase of $410 per $100,000 of assessed value per year.

Moore said the housing bond asking for $40 million showed 54% support in the same survey and that the estimated 20-year principal-and-interest cost is $63,486,820; the projected tax impact to pay debt service is about $5.50 per $100,000 of assessed value per year.

The public hearing included statements of support from local advocates. David Nutter of Connect Bunkham said the open-space scope ‘‘fits our program perfectly’’ for trails and greenways. Susan Bean, housing and transportation director at Mountain True, urged the board to ‘‘vote yes on these bond referenda’’ to address housing and climate goals simultaneously, saying protecting farms and forests while creating homes near infrastructure will reduce vehicle miles and protect carbon sinks.

Commissioners tied the bond proposals to prior planning work and recovery efforts. One commissioner noted the county’s 2022 bonds had already produced projects such as a 120-unit affordable development and referenced a forthcoming 340-acre park as evidence of prior success. Commissioner Wells moved to authorize the open-space bond order; Drew Ball seconded the motion and it carried by voice vote. The board later adopted the housing-bond order and passed a resolution forwarding the special bond referendum to the board of elections for placement on the Nov. 3 ballot.

What’s next: The board’s adoption of bond orders and the resolution sends the exact ballot language and timing to the elections office. If voters approve either measure in November, the county will proceed with project selection and financing as described in the ballot language; staff told commissioners the ballot will specify that open-space bond proceeds may be used for land preservation, park and greenway development and related infrastructure.