LWVCNM Voters’ Guide
Bernalillo County Bond Questions

(updated 10/2/2008)

 

Bernalillo County will ask the voters to authorize the issuance of General Obligation bonds for the 2008 bond cycle (years 2009-2010) totaling $ 20,750,000. The projects have been grouped according to their general purposes into six ballot questions. General Obligation Bonds are grouped by purpose so that voters have the option of approving one purpose and not another. Once approved, the funds must be used for the approved purpose only.

General Obligation Bonds and Taxes

A bond represents a debt of money borrowed by a government to finance capital improvement projects. The government promises to repay the amount borrowed, plus interest, over a period of time. The bonds are called "General Obligation" because payment of the debt service (principal plus interest) is a general obligation of the county and its property owners. That is, the bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the county.

General Obligation bonds require approval by the voters and are repaid from a portion of the property taxes. The current property tax for county bonds is equivalent to $27.66 per $100,000 assessed value. Because old bonds are being retired as the new bonds are requested, passage of the bonds will not result in a property tax increase.

BOND QUESTION NO. 1: LIBRARY BOOKS & MATERIALS

Shall Bernalillo County, New Mexico, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds, in one series or more, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $1,000,000.00, for the purpose of securing funds for the purchase of library books and library resources for the libraries within Bernalillo County, New Mexico, said bonds to be payable from general (ad valorem) taxes to be issued and sold at such time or times, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of County Commissioners may determine and as permitted by law?

BOND QUESTION NO. 2: PUBLIC SAFETY

Shall Bernalillo County, New Mexico, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds, in one series or more, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $4,750,000 for the purpose of planning, designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing County buildings used for public safety purposes, including but not limited to facilities construction and improvements required by ADA, said bonds to be payable from general (ad valorem) taxes and to be issued and sold at such time or times, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of County Commissioners may determine and as permitted by law?

BOND QUESTION NO. 3: PARKS & RECREATION

Shall Bernalillo County, New Mexico, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds, in one series or more, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $2,500,000 for the purpose of planning, designing, constructing, redeveloping, equipping and furnishing recreational facilities, including compliance with ADA, within the County, said bonds to be payable from general (ad valorem) taxes and to be issued and sold at such time or times, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of County Commissioners may determine and as permitted by law?

BOND QUESTION NO. 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES

Shall Bernalillo County, New Mexico, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds, in one series or more, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $2,000,000. for the purpose of purchasing, planning, designing, constructing, equipping and furnishing a medical clinic, within Bernalillo County, New Mexico, said bonds to be payable from general (ad valorem) taxes and to be issued and sold at such time or times, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of County Commissioners may determine and as permitted by law?

BOND QUESTION NO. 5: ROADS

Shall Bernalillo County, New Mexico, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds, in one series or more, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $7,000,000 for the purpose of securing funds for the design, construction and repair of roads and related non-motor vehicle pathways within Bernalillo County, New Mexico, said bonds to be payable from general (ad valorem) taxes and to be issued and sold at such time or times, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of County Commissioners may determine and as permitted by law?

BOND QUESTION NO. 6: STORM SEWER & WASTEWATER

Shall Bernalillo County, New Mexico, be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds, in one series or more, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $3,500,000 for the purpose of securing funds for the design, construction and repair of storm sewer and wastewater systems within Bernalillo County, New Mexico, said bonds to be payable from general (ad valorem) taxes and to be issued and sold at such time or times, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of County Commissioners may determine and as permitted by law?

Grand Total of All Bonds


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