The question of Saguaro Blvd. needing a complete rebuild seems to be overwhelmingly accepted. The time for short-term fixes has run out. Trying to re-pave just the traffic lanes means continued repairs on curbs and does not solve the major drainage issues that will cause the road to once again deteriorate. Some major Saguaro intersections also need improvements.

That leads to the question of cost. At Town Council direction, town staff studied similar major arterial construction projects in other areas of Maricopa County. Before voting unanimously to put the $8.2 million bond issues on the November mail-in ballot, the Town Council looked carefully at projected costs.

Some important facts about that estimated cost. It is an estimate. If, in fact, the project can be done for less, the dollar amount of bonds sold will be lowered. No matter what, that is the maximum dollar amount of bonds that can be sold. Voters know exactly the most they are approving.

Time is of the essence. Construction costs are going up, not down. Bond interest rates will only go up from here in the future, not down. This projects needs to be approved now.

The cost of the Saguaro bonds for the average Fountain Hills homeowner will be less than 36 cents a day for five years. That seems to me to be a reasonable price to pay to redo one of our town’s front doors.

Please vote “yes” for the Saguaro bonds.