Campbell zeroes in on proposed $50 million bond measure

A proposed ballot measure to pay for a new Campbell, Calif., police building and an almost-new library moved ahead Tuesday night, but the city council continued to struggle with the precise language that will go on the November ballot.

They have until Aug. 10 to act, which is the deadline set by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters for ballot measures to be submitted.

Campbell's police and library buildings were built in the 1970s and are considered outdated.

 Little Free Library

It seems clear city leaders will ask voters to approve a $50 million bond measure that would increase commercial and residential property owners' bills by $19 for every $100,000 of assessed value. In other words, a property assessed at $1 million would see a tax increase of $190 annually.

If approved by two-thirds of the voters, the bonds would raise just over $3 million annually and be paid back over 30 years.

Bonds are used to pay for facilities, and this one would pay to significantly upgrade the library, and construct new police emergency operations and 911 centers, among other things.

A site for a new police building hasn't been finalized, but Chief Dave Carmichael wants to stay at the civic center.

"It's centrally located, so we're able to respond to all areas of the city, it has good freeway access and it's next door to downtown," Carmichael said.

The city council is set to resume discussions July 17.

Tribune Content Agency
Infrastructure California
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