Use of $35M up to county voters in November

Ballot questions will address funding for various projects

Santa Fe County voters will have a chance Nov. 8 to approve up to $35 million in general obligation bonds to help pay for roadwork, wastewater projects, park improvements and community health facilities.

Meanwhile, a public works official on Tuesday warned the County Commission of possible cost increases to renovate the county administrative complex and build a new county office space nearby — capital projects getting underway in downtown Santa Fe that will be financed with the help of bond money.

The five ballot questions approved unanimously by commissioners Tuesday will ask voters to allow Santa Fe County to issue general obligation bonds for the following projects:

$13.6 million to build and improve roads;

$4.8 million for water and wastewater projects;

$7 million for fire and other public safety facilities;

$4.6 million to create and restore open space, trails and parks; and

$5 million to construct and improve community health facilities.

County Finance Director Carole Jaramillo said in an interview that the county will release a more specific project list to inform the public about the proposed bonds.

The county would have to pay the debt off within 20 years of issuing the bonds, according to the notice of the bond election. Property tax money would repay the debt. Jaramillo told the commissioners that the county’s practice of asking voters to approve bonds every four years helps the county to maintain a fairly flat property tax rate.

Separately, Santa Fe County commissioners and County Clerk Geraldine Salazar clashed about the design of the proposed new administrative complex on Catron Street, the site of the old district courthouse, and the redesign of the current one on Grant Avenue. Salazar insisted that the County Clerk’s Office should be located near the probate judge and commission chambers, but commissioners weren’t certain such a plan would work.

Mark Hogan, projects director in the Santa Fe County Public Works Department, also told commissioners that the total project cost of $31 million for both buildings has grown by $3.7 million from 2013 projections. The square footage has increased by 7 percent, or 7,300 square feet, from 2013 projections, he said.

Hogan said that while the county staff

is confident the new building could accommodate public parking, $1.4 million might have to be added to the project to accommodate county fleet vehicles and employee parking. The county is still seeking public input on the project, he added. Commissioners agreed to consider more specific design plans to avoid confusion during the planning phase.