Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2012-30:  A resolution of the Council of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona, ordering and calling a special debt authorization election to be held on November 6, 2012, in and for the City of Flagstaff, Arizona, to submit to the qualified electors thereof questions with respect to the sale and issuance of various purpose bonds of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona.

The City Charter, Article XVI, Amendment No. 1 requires a vote for any bond issuance that will levy a bond that pledges City tax revenues as a guarantee for their payment, in whole or in part. 

Based on current and projected property assessment valuation, the City has $29 million in bonding capacity that can be supported at the current secondary property tax rate.
The City has budgeted $65,000 for elections in FY2013.

• A sustainable community through economic vitality, environmental protection and social inclusion.
• Effective governance.
• Maintain and deliver quality, reliable infrastructure.

Yes.
The Forest Health and Water Supply Protection Project was presented to Council at the June 26, 2012 work session.
The Core Services Maintenance Facility was presented to Council at the May 22, 2012 work session and the Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued immediately after.
The Public Safety Criminal Justice Center Request for Statement of Qualifications (RSOQ) was issued January 2012 and the Courthouse needs were discussed as part of the unfunded capital needs at the April 2012 Council budget meetings.

Options/Alternatives:

• Approve all  of the questions as written or amended for a total combined amount not to exceed $29,000,000
• Approve one or two of the questions as written or amended for an amount not to exceed $29,000,000
• Do not approve any bond questions to be placed on the November 6, 2012 general election

The City reviews it's ability is issue new general obligation debt  on an annual or bi-annual basis within the current secondary property tax millage rate of $0.8366 per $100 of valuation.  Based on current assessed valuations and assuming the City will issue previously authorized amounts, the City has capacity to issue $29 million dollars in new debt.

Three projects are proposed that may use some or all of this capacity.  The three projects include a Forest Health and Water Supply Protection Project, a Core Services Maintenance Facility, and a Public Safety Criminal Justice Facility.  Discussions on these projects have occurred at various work sessions and a formal resolution is needed to place these items on the November 6, 2012 ballot.

One key consideration is the council assessment of the  need for providing the facilities and forest treatments to improve the infrastructure and quality of life for the Flagstaff community.  In addition to the assessment of the need, the Council must consider how to fund these improvements.  The questions allow the City to issue general obligation debt for these questions which use the City secondary property tax to secure the debt and in most cases, to pay the debt.

• For the Forest Health and Water Supply Protection Project, the entire City as an asset is projected through proactive forest management techniques
• For the Core Services Maintenance Facility, community benefits include the  allowance for adequate space for maintenance, storage, and repair of the City fleet and equipment; material storage, administrative offices, and other ancillary space needed to better operate City functions.
• For the Public Safety Criminal Justice Center, community benefits include having a reliable, well-built facility that will meet anticipated community needs offering safety and security to both the community and the staff. The facility will allow for adequate court rooms, prisoner transport and holding areas, and zoning separation of the movement by the public and the jurors. In addition, this facility will be able to handle future growth.