ARIZONA DAILY STAR: Thurs., Nov. 1, 2007
Bond Vote May Be Put Off
By Erica Meltzer
Concerns over voter confidence in government and wrath over rising property-tax bills could delay 2008 election
Pima County may call off a planned 2008 bond election amid concerns over voter confidence in local government and taxpayer outrage at rising property values.
Top county officials are questioning whether the county should postpone the bond election until 2009 or later, even as the county's Bond Advisory Committee prepares to sort through nearly $2 billion in recommended projects. The recommendations are the result of nearly a year of meetings by various subcommittees, which pared down a $3.5 billion bond "wish list" prepared by county departments, other jurisdictions and community groups.
The Bond Advisory Committee, the citizen group overseeing the county's bond program, will meet Friday to begin the process of slashing the list even further, to around $1 billion. But in a memo to the committee, County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry laid out several concerns about going to the voters in 2008.
Among them: If the slowdown in the housing market continues, Pima County will see an end to the rapid rise in assessed values that allowed it to raise more revenue while lowering tax rates.
FULL STORY: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/209340