As you can see, the “letters to the editor” are kind of down in number right now.

But I predict that in weeks leading up to Nov. 5 the number will increase “just a bit.” Or, better, yet, probably a “lot a bit.”

Why?

“Election Day” in Fountain Hills tends to do that…

There will be plenty to talk about as well, since the School Board decided earlier this month to add two questions to the ballot.

This on top of the Town of Fountain Hills’ question dealing with an $8.2 million road bond issue to reconstruct the full length of Saguaro Boulevard.

Not to be outdone, the School Board wants an $8 million construction bond authorization as well as seven-year extensions of two budget overrides.

Overrides are “temporary” property tax hikes that allow school districts to collect more money from their communities beyond what the state allocates in per-pupil funding.

The biggest question, however, is seeing what the election climate is like here.

Voters in the Cave Creek Unified School District rejected an override in 2011.

The Scottsdale district last year combined its overrides into one question (just like what FHUSD is doing), but voters rejected the proposition.

Scottsdale is bringing back the question this fall after having to cut about $9 million from next year’s budget.

In Fountain Hills, for the owner of a $250,000 home, the town road bond will cost an estimated $130 a year for five years (a rather quick bond payoff).

That same owner also will have to pay about $34 a year extra (on average) in property taxes if the school construction bond passes – although that one will take 20 years to pay off.

If the override passes, the existing tax extension will simply continue.

School proponents pledged to the School Board a few weeks ago that a citizens committee would be formed to lobby for passage of the bond and overrides.

And it was just announced this week – see story on Page 3A – that “Citizens for Saguaro” had been formed, a committee to push for passage of the town road bond.

No such committee was formed when voters rejected the giant $30 million road maintenance and reconstruction package just a couple of years ago. And it probably showed in the lopsided results.

The task this time around is a bit more manageable – the town road bond is just for Saguaro Blvd., while other maintenance issues in town are now being covered on a “pay as you go basis” by prioritizing the budget and making a few cuts here and there.

Phase one of that maintenance program was already initiated up in northwestern Fountain Hills – tons of crack filling and slurry sealing was done. A ton more remains throughout town on a rotating basis for years to come.

School officials didn’t want to wait another 18 months, so they authorized their own financial questions to be placed on the same ballot in November.

Can’t fault them for that. They feel ALL the issues are important and need to be funded.

Well, voters, that will be up to you….