City of Mesa calls general election on bonds, general plan and more

The Mesa City Council called a general election for Nov. 5 for Mesa voters on four ballot measures related to bonds and the 2050 general plan.

Question 1 on the ballot is related to a permanent base adjustment to the base limit established by the city in the 1979-80 fiscal-year expenditures, which is used to calculate Mesa’s annual expenditure limitation.

The question asks Mesa voters to decide whether to increase the base limit by $148 million. The city states the adjustment would not raise taxes and would help Mesa better plan and predict future budgets for critical municipal functions.

Question 2 on the ballot asks for Mesa residents to vote on approving a $90 million bond for projects to enhance community safety. According to the city, this could include fire and medical response stations, construction and improvement of the 911 communications center, expansion of the city’s fiber network and more.

Question 3 has Mesa voters deciding on whether to approve a $170 million general obligation bond to enhance recreational facilities and expand educational and cultural experiences. This bond would be directed toward improving recreation, education and cultural facilities in the city.

Examples include construction of new aquatic centers, renovation and construction of parks and playgrounds, water conservation improvements at city parks and more.

The general obligation bonds from questions 2 and 3 would be paid for through a secondary property tax.

Question 4 asks Mesa voters to vote on the 2050 general plan, which provides guiding principles and strategies for decision-making by the city for the next 10 years. The general plan is updated every 10 years.