No bond election in 2008?

Supervisors say voters in no mood for borrowing

TUCSON—Barring some kind of economic miracle in Pima County in the next four months, plans for a new bond election to fund up to $1 billion in new and expanded projects are apparently dead.

The verdict was unanimous opposition in an individual survey of Pima County supervisors Tuesday.

Supervisor Ann Day, District 1, said there’s no chance for the bonds to be on the November general election.

In the minutes after Tuesday’s meeting ended, the other supervisors were queried by the Green Valley News. “Will there be a bond election.”

Supervisor Ram—n Valadez, District 2: “No.”

Supervisor Ray Carroll, District 4: “No.”

Supervisor Sharon Bronson, District 3: “No.”

Supervisor Board Chairman Richard El’as, District 5, sounding a bit weary: “No.”

All, in one way or another, said the economic downturn would probably spell doom for a bond election, so it was best to put it off.

Scores of Pima County residents have worked months on studying proposals and requests, trimming a wish $3 billion wish list to about $750 million to $1 billion.

Bond Committee members spent hours at hearings where residents told what they wanted, or urging that no new projects be added.

Green Valley’s Tom Six was a member of the Bond Committee.

He was somewhat disappointed Tuesday, but philosophical:

“The committee has done its work, but the timing is out of our control.

He said much of the study and research will continue to accrue until the county tries again.

In the county’s proposed budget there’s $100,561,623 for debt service, the amount the county already owes on bonds or similar instruments.

Bronson asked if she was ready to vote for the bond package, said “Probably not. Given the economy and the concerns it’s having for people.”

Carroll, who several months ago at the local library, said then, “It’s not going to happen.”

Tuesday, he said, “How do I feel? I feel its a very bad time for the voting public.”

El’as said board members are taking into account “the economy.”

He said the board may try again in 2009.

Nicole Fyffe, executive secretary to County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry, said it will need to be another year before an election can be held.

“It can be on the ballot only in elections in November,” she said, not part of a minor election.

Valadez said “Right now, people are hurting.”

Local supporters had hoped some kind of bond funding would pay for improvements or land acquisitions for a sports park on Green Valley’s southeast side, acquisition of land from the West Desert Preserve, continued work on the performing arts center, enlargement and improvements to the Joyner-Green Valley Library and government complex, improvements to the county’s Canoa Ranch park and possible library construction for Sahuarita.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749