The School District “special” bond election proposes to incur 20-year indebtedness for purposes which have a life cycle much less than the term of the bond. This practice leads to financial burdens in future years when the bond obligation is still on the books and the buses again need to be replaced, the air conditioning again needs major maintenance, the interior again needs repainting, and the driveways again need repair.

There is already $8.5 million in general obligation debt outstanding! The special bond election is estimated to add $12.1 million. If approved we can expect to see another “special” bond election long before the original bond obligations are satisfied.

A 20-year bond term is appealing to the School District because it reduces the annual burden on residents, and is therefore easier to obtain voter approval.

I encourage Fountain Hills not to start down this path. A bond used to address recurring maintenance needs should have a term no longer than the expected life of the maintenance. That way it can be off the books by the time the next “special” bond election becomes necessary.

Please vote “no” on this election and encourage the School District to propose a shorter term bond.