September 27, 2017
Murphy sets pair of Town Hall meetings to talk bonds
MURPHY (September 27, 2017) Two Town Hall-style meetings, that mirror those held last summer, are scheduled for October, designed to allow residents the opportunity to receive information regarding the upcoming Capital Improvement Project bond election.
To be held in Council Chambers, 206 North Murphy Road, on Saturday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 10, the two open sessions are billed as educational and informative in nature, says City Manager Mike Castro, PhD.
“State law prevents us from either advocating or discouraging support for these items,” he said. “We are, however, dutybound to ensure that voters are fully aware of the implications of their vote. These two meetings help us do that.”
The City of Murphy is asking voters to decide on the sale of long-term bonds to finance almost $23 million in mostly maintenance, upkeep, repair and equipment protection items. Election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 7, with Early Voting set for about two weeks in advance of Election Day.
The Saturday Town Hall meeting starts at 9 a.m. and the Tuesday session is set for a 6:30 p.m. start. As presented last summer, when the Capital Projects Advisory Committee (CPAC) held its two open sessions, the October meetings will begin with an informal information-sharing display and exhibit in the foyer of City Hall 30 minutes prior to the start of the presentations.
Informational booths and photo boards will be set up along the four major bond election categories. These include: Proposition A - The Issuance of $15,510,000 General Obligation Bonds for Street Improvements; Proposition B - The Issuance of $1,735,000 General Obligation Bonds for Public Safety Facilities; Proposition C - The Issuance of $1,315,000 General Obligation Bonds for Improvements to Existing Municipal Buildings; and Proposition D - The Issuance of $4,400,000 General Obligation Bonds for Park and Recreational Facilities.
Subject matter experts will be available at these booths to answer questions and provide information.
The CPAC, a citizens group composed of seven City Council appointees, met for several months earlier this year to review the City’s CIP needs, and develop a recommendation to the Council on which, if any, large-scale projects merited inclusion in a bond election.
The committee met repeatedly with staff in coming up with their recommended list, reporting twice to the Council, at the mid-point and at the conclusion of their deliberations, on their findings.
The Council accepted the recommendations, conducted their own deliberations, and finalized the list of proposed items for the ballot. They then officially called for the election in November.
If approved, the bonds will be marketed in two sales separated by about two years, accommodating the schedule of contract required for the work.
The final day to register to vote and be eligible for the November election is Oct. 10.
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