on Buckeye
COUNCIL UPDATE
on Buckeye
the official publication of the city of Buckeye
October 2024
3 5 7 8
Public Safety: Question 1 / Proposition 494
Streets and Transportation: Question 2 / Proposition 495
Tax Implications
Important Dates
CITY OF BUCKEYE
530 E. Monroe Ave. Buckeye, AZ 85326
623.349.6000
For more information on this publication, contact John O’Halloran at johalloran@buckeyeaz.gov or call 623.349.6976
BUCKEYE CITY COUNCIL
Eric Orsborn, Mayor
Clay Goodman, Vice Mayor, District 6
Tony Youngker, District 1
Jeanine Guy, District 2
Michelle Hess, District 3
Patrick HagEstad, District 4
Craig Heustis, District 5
District 6 Representative Vice Mayor Clay Goodman
B UCKEY E
Earlier this year, 13 Buckeye residents got together to form a Bond Exploratory Committee and tackle a big challenge: Is a bond election necessary to keep our city thriving with all the growth we’ve seen? After months of brainstorming and prioritizing, they recommended a multi-year bond program that focuses on public safety facilities and traffic infrastructure.
Now, for the first time in 40 years, Buckeye voters will have the opportunity to vote on a bond program. These bonds will help fund projects like new fire stations, public safety training facilities, wider roads and new traffic signals.
In the next few pages, we’ll break down each bond question and explain the tax impact, so you can be fully informed on how this bond election will impact you and your city.
On the Ballot
On November 5, 2024, Buckeye residents will vote on two ballot questions—$137 million for public safety projects and $145 million for street and transportation projects.
Public Safety: Question 1 / Proposition 494
Shall Buckeye be authorized to issue and sell $137,000,000 of general obligation bonds for public safety improvements?
1. New Fire Stations in Westpark and Victory Neighborhoods
• A new fire station near the Westpark neighborhood would replace the temporary station that was built in 2008. The Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department has also identified the need for a station in the Victory area of Verrado.
• New fire stations are designed with firefighter safety in mind, providing them with the tools and environment to perform their duties.
Buckeye Fire Chief Jake Rhoades:
“We coordinate daily with the Buckeye Police Department on both management and operational decisions. Currently, we work out of multiple facilities. Having a joint Public Safety Headquarters would bring us together under one roof.”
Artist Rendering
2. New Public Safety Headquarters and Training Facilities
• As Buckeye continues to grow, so do the demands on our public safety services. A new Public Safety Headquarters will provide the space and resources needed for the growth of our police and fire departments.
• The bond would include funds for new training facilities, this includes specialized areas for defensive tactics, scenario-based training and a dedicated communications center.
Buckeye Police Chief Bob Sanders:
“One of the biggest challenges we face without a new public safety facility is recruitment and retention. Communities with new facilities are better equipped to attract and retain public safety employees.”
Streets and Transportation: Question 2 / Proposition 495
Shall Buckeye be authorized to issue and sell $145,000,000 of general obligation bonds for street and transportation improvements?
1. Widening Roads
Miller Road (Broadway to Warner): Adding a lane in each direction with a dedicated middle turn lane on Miller from Broadway to Warner. The city would also add a permanent traffic signal at the Warner intersection.
Watson Road (Lower Buckeye to Durango): Adding two northbound lanes on Watson to from Lower Buckeye to Durango would create three lanes in each direction all the way to I-10. The city would also construct a permanent traffic signal at the Durango intersection near Inca Elementary School.
Jackrabbit Trail (Thomas to Indian School): Adding a lane in each direction on JRT from Thomas to Indian School would eliminate pinch points in that area. The city would also construct a permanent traffic signal at the Thomas intersection.
The city would construct new traffic signals at several intersections, including:
• Rainbow and Sundance Parkway
• Sun Valley Parkway and I-10
• Jackrabbit Trail and Thomas
Artist rendering of what a wider Indian School Road could look like from
Trail to Perryville.
Artist rendering of what new lighting along parts of Sun Valley Parkway near
John Willett, Buckeye City Traffic Engineer:
“Dedicated local funding gives the city control over projects and timelines. Currently, we have to compete with other cities for regional and state funding for many of our roadwork projects, which can be a slow process and often limits what we’re able to accomplish.”
Jackrabbit
Tartesso and Festival could look like.
3. Widening Indian School Road
4. Lighting Up Sun Valley Parkway
Artist Rendering
Artist Rendering
Tax Implications
I f approved, the bond will be funded through a secondary property tax. The City Council has stated that the Total Tax Rate will be planned to not exceed $2.25. Buckeye’s current primary property tax rate is $1.60, if the bond were in place this year, that would have been a secondary rate increase of $0.65 and an annual cost impact for this year of $115 based upon the median Limited Property Value in Buckeye.
You can check your limited property value anytime at mcassessor.maricopa.gov. Once you know your valuation you can use our online calculator at buckeyeaz.gov/bond to find your estimated cost impact, should the bond be approved in November.
It’s important to note that the Limited Property Value is used to calculate property taxes and differs from the Full Cash Value or Market Value of your property. It is also important to know that the bond election only authorizes the City to issue bonds, until the City actually issues bonds there is no impact on your tax rate.
530 E. Monroe Ave.
Buckeye, AZ 85326
Important Dates
Buckeye voters will decide on this bond package with these important dates to keep in mind:
• October 7 – Voter registration deadline
• October 9 – Early ballots mailed and drop boxes available
• October 16 - 6 p.m. Community Meeting
Desert Sunset Elementary School 30919 W White Tank Vista Dr. Buckeye, AZ 85396
• October 21 - 6 p.m. Community Meeting Verrado Center on Main
4239 N Village St. Buckeye, AZ 85396
• October 22 - 6 p.m. Community Meeting
Festival Fire Station 27360 W Wagner Complex Dr. Buckeye, AZ 85396
• October 25 – Last day to request an early ballot
• October 29 – Last day to mail back your ballot
• November 5 – Election Day