By Rich Pollack
Highland Beach residents will once again be voting at the Highland Beach Public Library when they go to the polls March 12.
In addition to selecting a town commissioner, voters will be asked to authorize the Town Commission to issue bonds for three projects that would be done in conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation’s proposed improvements on State Road A1A within the next four to six years.
The three questions are on the ballot because Highland Beach’s Town Charter requires that any project over $350,000 in any given fiscal year be approved by a majority of voters.
One of the ballot referendum questions will ask voters to allow the town to issue bonds of up to $16.55 million for a stormwater improvement project. Voters will also be asked to approve a bond issue not to exceed $11.25 million for improvements to the town’s multiuse walking path but with the caveat that the bonds will be issued only if the stormwater improvements receive voter approval.
Voters will also be asked to greenlight the issuing of up to $17.2 million in bonds for the installation of underground utilities.
All of the bond issues, if approved, would mature within 30 years of their issuance.
Official Ballot Language Town of Highland Beach: General obligation bonds for
STORMWATER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Shall the Town be authorized to issue bonds, in one or more series, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $16,550,000, bearing interest rates not exceeding the maximum legal rate, maturing within 30 years from their respective issuance, payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes and/or other revenues to finance stormwater improvements, including drainage, removal/conversion of ditches, pipes, water quality treatment, a multiuse path, roadway improvements, and landscaped infiltration areas.
OCEAN WALK MULTIUSE CORRIDOR PROJECT
Shall the Town be authorized to issue bonds, in one or more series, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $11,250,000, bearing interest rates not exceeding the maximum legal rate, maturing within 30 years from their respective issuance, payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes and/or other revenues to finance roadway improvements, complete streets elements, park and recreational improvements, and gateway monuments; such bonds shall be issued only if the stormwater improvements are voter approved.
UNDERGROUNDING UTILITIES PROJECT
Shall the Town be authorized to issue bonds, in one or more series, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $17,200,000, bearing interest rates not exceeding the maximum legal rate, maturing within 30 years from their respective issuance, payable from unlimited ad valorem taxes and/or other revenues to finance undergrounding of electrical, cable, and communications utilities, and street lighting improvements along all public streets in the Town.
Comments
Results are in - all 3 referundums failed at the polls. That's the power of the public! Thanks to all who worked hard to make sure the public was informed and able to cast educated votes!