Chandler residents have a vital opportunity to shape the future of our city. A Special Bond Election on Nov. 4 invites voters to decide whether to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for future improvements in the city for parks and recreation, public safety and streets.
Chandler has earned the highest possible bond ratings from all three major national rating agencies for over a decade, a distinction few cities can claim. Because of Chandler’s excellent bond ratings, the city has the ability to borrow at lower interest rates, which benefits taxpayers.
Our long-standing practice of aligning new bond sales as existing debt is paid off ensures that bond funded projects would come with no projected increase to the current property tax rate. It’s a statement made possible by decades of fiscal discipline.
This approach also has enabled the Chandler City Council to reduce primary property taxes for 10 consecutive years while maintaining secondary rates. That demonstrates our commitment to affordability even as we invest in the future.
The bond program targets four areas critical to our community’s future:
- Fire Services: Opening a new station near Chandler Airport, modernizing existing fire facilities and replacing aging trucks and equipment.
- Parks and Recreation: Upgrading parks, sports fields, playgrounds, aquatic centers, and recreation venues we all enjoy.
- Police Services: Renovating police headquarters, improving technology and communications systems and replacing patrol vehicles.
- Streets: Repaving roads, repairing infrastructure and updating traffic signals and intersections for safer, smoother travel.
All this matters because our bond program directly impacts the lives of Chandler residents and the city has a demonstrated record of sound financial stewardship in connection with managing its debt.
With no projected increase to current property tax rates, this November voters can choose to authorize city bonds that positively impact our quality of life and provide for investment in city services and infrastructure.
I urge every resident to learn more at Bond Election and participate in the bond election on November 4.
Editor’s Note: Chandler projects no increase to the current property tax rate. The estimated average tax rate for the proposed bond authorization is $0.4795 per $100 of assessed valuation. The city intends to time the issuance of new bonds when existing debt is paid off, which will maintain the current secondary property tax rate at $0.87 per $100 of assessed valuation.