Eye on Buckeye | January 2024 | GO Bond

on Buckeye January 2024

on Buckeye the official publication of the city of Buckeye

January 2024

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Council Update

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City Council District Boundary

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How Bonds Work Potential Projects to Get Excited About

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

COUNCIL UPDATE District 6 Representative Clay Goodman

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his issue of Eye on Buckeye focuses on the city’s capital program.

The program works to construct important facilities and amenities in our fast-growing community. As Buckeye moves forward, City Council is committed to supporting the public infrastructure needed to improve the quality of life in Buckeye. These are significant but important investments, as large streets, public safety and recreational opportunities will all make a meaningful difference to Buckeye residents.

To fund capital projects, the city explores a host of funding opportunities. For some of the largest projects, we consider bond financing. Bonds allow the city to put facilities in sooner, and to spread the costs among both current and future users. For example, voter authorized General Obligation bonds could be used to extend Watson Road through to MC-85, support the planned Victory Fire Station, offer park and library amenities near the Festival Foothills community, and develop important training and support facilities for Police and Fire services.

To explore this more closely, the City Council has appointed citizen volunteers to form a Citizen Bond Exploratory Committee.

This committee will be tasked with determining the need for a bond program, confirming priority projects and presenting their recommendations to the Buckeye City Council next spring.

This is an exciting time to be a resident of Buckeye. As our city continues to grow and evolve, this bond exploratory process offers residents a chance to shape their future. I invite you to learn more about bonds and how you can be involved in the process in the pages ahead.

Eric Orsborn, Mayor Michelle Hess, Vice Mayor, District 3 Tony Youngker, District 1 Jeanine Guy, District 2 Patrick HagEstad, District 4 Craig Heustis, District 5 Clay Goodman, District 6

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eye on buckeye

City Council District Boundaries The Buckeye City Council and Mayor are committed to serving the people of Buckeye.

The Mayor is elected at large for four-year terms, and the council is elected by district for fouryear terms. The next municipal election will be conducted Fall of 2024.

Eric Orsborn Mayor

623.349.6950 623.687.6304 cell eorsborn@buckeyeaz.gov

Get to know your district and your representative at buckeyeaz.gov/citycouncil.

Term expires November 2024

Clay Goodman District 6

623.349.6946 623.695.5530 cell cgoodman@buckeyeaz.gov Term expires November 2026

Patrick HagEstad District 4

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Sun Valley Pkwy

623.349.6944 623.745.6308 cell phagestad@buckeyeaz.gov Term expires November 2026

W. Yuma Rd.

Broadway MC 85

e Ave. Monro

District 5

623.349.6945 623.238.4078 cell cheustis@buckeyeaz.gov Term expires November 2026

SR 85

623.349.6941 623.300.8492 cell tyoungker@buckeyeaz.gov

N. Verrado Way

District 1

Craig Heustis

5 S. Watson Rd.

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1 Miller Rd.

Tony Youngker

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Term expires November 2024

2 Jeanine Guy District 2

623.349.6942 623.300.6063 cell jguy@buckeyeaz.gov

Term expires November 2024

eye on buckeye

Michelle Hess District 3

623.349.6943 623.252.8339 cell mhess@buckeyeaz.gov

Term expires November 2024

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Bond Basics G

eneral Obligation Bonds (bonds) go beyond dollars and cents; they signify an investment in a city’s future and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life. Local governments commonly employ bonds as a tool to finance substantial capital improvement projects that directly benefit our community.

These projects encompass essential areas such as transportation, public safety initiatives and the development of parks and library facilities.

It’s important to note that bonds require the voter approval and can only be utilized for the specific purpose outlined on the ballot. In the coming months, a dedicated Citizen Bond Exploratory Committee, comprised of voluntary community members, will evaluate and prioritize the projects essential to our city’s growth. Their assessment will determine whether a bond program is necessary for financing these crucial projects.

Should the City Council recommend seeking voter authority to issue bonds, the power would lie in your hands. Residents would then cast a vote during a General Election, possibly in November 2024. Stay tuned for updates on this significant initiative as we work together to create a better tomorrow for Buckeye.

How Bonds Work

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he debt from bonds would be backed by the city’s secondary property tax. Because of this backing, these are the most secure bonds offered by cities and interest rates are usually the lowest available. Buckeye is one of the few cities in the Valley that does not currently have a secondary property tax. Authorizing bonding authority in the November 2024 General Election, will allow the City Council to issue bonds and establish a secondary property tax for all taxable properties in Buckeye, not just homeowners. This

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pivotal decision will pave the way for essential citywide improvements, ensuring the lowest funding necessary for Buckeye’s continued growth and development.

Other Funding Sources

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uckeye’s capital program uses a host of funding sources. For example, significant cash reserves from our General Fund are used for a host of improvements.

Development impact fees are collected to help ensure that growth pays for itself. The city has worked hard to use state and federal funding through grants and allocations. Water and wastewater fee revenue is used to pay for improvements in those systems. That said, bonds are another tool that can ensure that the needs of the city are met.

Bond Committee

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arlier this year we announced a search for dedicated residents and community members to join the 2024 Bond Exploratory Committee. After an extensive application and interview process, 13 individuals and two alternates were selected to make up the Committee.

The 2024 Bond Exploratory Committee will be tasked with thoroughly evaluating the potential uses of bonds as a means of financing various city programs and projects. This includes a comprehensive review of current and future community needs, financial implications and potential benefits.

The Committee will start meeting weekly in January and run through May of 2024. These meetings will be streamed live on the city’s Facebook page and YouTube channel so you can follow along with the process. eye on buckeye

Bond Process Timeline As part of Buckeye’s financial strategy, when seeking to fund major capital investments like street improvements, city facilities and parks, City Council will call for an election asking voters if they approve funding those projects by issuing debt in the form of municipal bonds.

Below is a timeline leading up to Buckeye Bond 2024.

AUGUST - OCTOBER 2023

DECEMBER 2023

MARCH - APRIL 2024

NOVEMBER 2024

PREPARE MATERIALS AND RECRUIT CITIZEN BOND COMMITTEE

ANNOUNCE THE COMMITTEE, UPCOMING MEETING DATES AND TOPICS

COMMUNITY OUTREACH, PROJECT PRIORITIZATION, DRAFT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE BOND ELECTION ON YOUR NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT

CALL FOR COMMITTEE

APPOINT COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

BOND ELECTION

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024

MAY 2024

SOLICIT RESIDENT FEEDBACK ON PROJECTS AND IDENTIFY VOTING BLOCS

BOND COMITTEE MEETINGS, PRESENT CAPITAL PLANS, COUNCIL GUIDANCE, RESIDENT FEEDBACK

FINALIZE PROJECTS AND CALL FOR ELECTION BOND COMMITTEE SUNSETS

FEEDBACK

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PARTICIPATION

CONSIDERATON

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Potential Projects

Artist rendering of potential Fire Station 708

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ith Buckeye nearly doubling its population in the last decade, bonds will allow the city to complete multiple large projects to meet the needs of residents old and new. Your concerns and feedback have not gone unnoticed; we recognize the necessity for improved roadways, enhanced public safety measures and upgraded parks and library facilities.

Here are just some of the projects that City Council is working on funding in the years ahead:

Artist rendering of Sun Valley Parkway Lighting project

Transportation Indian School Road - This project would finish Indian School Road between Jackrabbit Trail and Perryville Road. The enhancement includes widening the roadway to accommodate three lanes in each direction. This development aims not only to expedite commute times but also link Buckeye to the Loop 303.

Sun Valley Parkway Lighting - This project will add streetlights to Sun Valley Parkway near Tartesso and Sun City Festival. This improvement initiative aims to enhance visibility on the road and ensure safer nighttime driving experiences for all drivers.

Watson Road Expansion - Watson Road would become a 5-lane road from Durango Street down to MC-85. This includes a 7-lane bridge over the railroad tracks, Buckeye Irrigation District Canal and the Roosevelt Irrigation District Canal. The city would also install traffic lights at Durango Street, Lower Buckeye Road, Broadway Road, Southern Avenue and MC-85.

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eye on buckeye

Public Safety Since 2015, when the last Public Safety joint faciltiy was opened, the City’s population has increased by 54%.

Public Safety Headquarters - Establishing a 60,000 square foot Public Safety Headquarters is essential for the safety and wellbeing for the residents of Buckeye. This concept will combine Fire and Police into one centralized location for faster response times and collaboration between the two departments.

Victory Fire Station - The Verrado community requires a second fire station for effective response. This new fire station will be a threeapparatus, 12,000 square foot station located in Victory at Verrado.

Community Services North Zone Library - The North Zone Library would be built in the Sun City Festival Community. This library could span 10,000 square feet, with elements seen in state-of-the-art libraries.

Westpark Community Park - A 17-acre community park in the Westpark community which will help meet the growing demand for park space. Amenities could include versatile sport fields, a vibrant playground, a splash pad, a dog park and more.

Splash pad at Sundance Park

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530 E. Monroe Ave. Buckeye, AZ 85326

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uthorizing bond authority in Buckeye is a crucial step toward securing a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. By supporting these initiatives, residents empower the city to invest in essential public infrastructure, public safety and community services.

Improved roads, modern facilities and enhanced public spaces not only elevate our quality of life but also attract businesses, create jobs and stimulate economic growth. With bonding authority, Buckeye can plan for the long term, ensuring our city is well-prepared to meet the needs of our growing population. For more information visit and to stay up to date on the bond process, please visit buckeyeaz.gov/buckeyebond.

For more information and to give your input on the projects you would like to see completed, please visit buckeyeaz.gov/buckeyebond.