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PRAB hears staff presentation on $400M bond and ballot timeline; members debate specificity for South Boulder Rec Center
Summary
Staff previewed a proposed $400 million recreation and safety bond and the ballot timeline; board members debated whether to seek more specific language to guarantee South Boulder Rec Center core amenities, while staff warned about legal limits on city employee advocacy.
City staff presented PRAB with the long‑term financial strategy and the timeline for proposed 2026 ballot measures, including a recreation and safety bond that city council advanced for further study and which would require a charter amendment to change the city’s debt limit.
Jackson Hyatt (business services manager) summarized community engagement and a statistically valid poll used to shape ballot priorities and said one possible measure under review is "a recreation and safety bond for $400,000,000," which would include replacement of South Boulder Recreation Center and renovation of North Boulder Recreation Center among other projects.
Board members heard strong public testimony from Reimagine South Boulder and discussed whether to press city council for more specific ballot language guaranteeing core amenities at South Boulder Rec Center. Yvonne Bennett, speaking for Reimagine South Boulder, said the group would support a bond only if the ballot language "clearly guarantees and states that South Boulder Recreation Center will be rebuilt with its core amenities, including a 6 lane lap pool...".
Staff and the director reminded the board of legal constraints: staff cannot use city resources to advocate for or against ballot measures. Jackson and Allie Rhodes reiterated that public employees can provide information but must be neutral once ballot language is final. The board agreed to draft possible language and revisit the question at the August meeting after the second reading of ballot language at city council on Aug. 6.
No formal board endorsement was taken Wednesday; PRAB members expressed interest in preparing a draft op‑ed or letter for consideration once language is final and after they consult city attorney guidance on permissible actions.
