Tucson residents who want to put in their two cents worth on the Arizona city’s $100 million general obligation bond referendum must pay $240 to have their opinions printed in the official voter pamphlet.
The statements cannot be longer than 300 words and must be submitted to the city clerk by Aug. 8, along with the $240 fee.
State law requires cities to provide a public forum for citizens to express their views on bond elections.
The pamphlet also will include the city’s reasons for seeking the bond authorization, and information on polling locations and times.
The referendum going to voters Nov. 6 would finance a five-year program to upgrade city streets.
The proposed sales schedule calls for five annual GO bond issues of $20 million, with $18 million a year earmarked for major arterial projects and $2 million for residential streets.
Passage would increase Tucson’s secondary property tax on a $100,000 residence by $18 a year, city officials said.
Tucson voters in 2010 rejected a 0.5% increase in the city’s sales tax rate.
Tucson’s $222 million of outstanding GO debt is rated AA-minus by Standard & Poor’s, Aa2 by Moody’s Investors Service, and AA by Fitch Ratings.
