City of Salem
Ballot Title:
City Of Salem, 0regon Public Safety General Obligation Bond Authorization
Question:
Summary: A “Yes” vote on this measure is a vote to increase taxes. Total cost of the Bonds is estimated as: principal payments $30,840,000; interest payments $15,428,740; and costs of issuance and bond administration $2,207,947 (primarily to be paid from bonds). On average the measure is estimated to raise annual tax revenues of $3,098,017. This amount represents the estimated amount collected to pay principal and interest on the bonds.
This measure would finance the costs of capital construction and capital improvements for public safety, including, but not limited to, providing funds to:
* construct, equip and furnish a 911 center;
* construct, equip and furnish new fire stations;
* renovate, relocate, rebuild, improve and upgrade existing fire stations;
* purchase fire and rescue vehicles;
* acquire, construct and install emergency radio system;
* pay bond issuance costs; and
* any unused proceeds of the bonds could finance other capital construction and capital improvements for public safety purposes or pay the bonds, including prepayment or defeasance of the bonds.
Each series of Bonds will mature in 15 years or less from their closing date.
Explanatory Statement:
Ballot Measure 24-46 would permit the City of Salem to sell up to $30,840,000 of general obligation bonds to finance fire, police, and other public safety capital construction and improvement projects including, but not limited to:
• relocating, rebuilding, renovating, and upgrading fire
• adding new fire stations
• acquiring fire and rescue vehicles and related public safety equipment
• acquiring land and making site improvements for public safety facilities
• relocating and expanding the 9-1-1 communication and emergency operations center
• developing an integrated 800 megahertz emergency radio communications system
• bond issuance costs
Salem fire stations house firefighters, firefighting equipment and ambulances. This measure would correct deficiencies identified in a 1996 engineering study indicating that these stations would not be useable after a major earthquake. This measure would allow improvements to the fire stations to enable them to better withstand an earthquake.
Additionally, the measure would provide funds to build a 9-1-1 Communications and Emergency Operations Center. The new Center would be better able to withstand an earthquake, as well as address space and operational inadequacies.
This measure would allow for the relocation of existing stations and the construction of new stations to serve the enlarged city. It would enable the Fire Department to better meet the City Council’s adopted emergency response time standard.
If passed, the measure would allow for the completion of the City’s existing 800 megahertz radio system. It would correct the radio communication dead spots throughout the City where emergency radio communications between public safety personnel are impaired. It would also allow police personnel to communicate more effectively and efficiently with each other, 9-1-1 dispatchers, fire department and ambulance personnel and other city operations personnel.
Any remaining bond funds may be used for additional capital construction and capital improvements for public safety or to pay bond debt.
Each series of bonds would mature within 15 years of its issue. The estimated tax rate impact is 52 cents per $1000 of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2001/2002 and less thereafter. In fiscal year 2001/2002, it is estimated that a taxpayer owning property with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay an additional $52 in taxes per year. The estimated tax rate impact is based on the information available at the time this measure was filed.
Submitted by:
Mike Swaim, Mayor
On behalf of the Salem City Council
No arguments opposed to this measure were filed.MEASURE NO. 24-46
stations
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