Proposition 407: Parks + Connections Bond 2018

Answer: There is currently limited funding for Parks and Connections-related capital, maintenance, and staffing needs. Since the recession, due to a decline in sales tax revenue and rising costs, the City has been unable to invest in large capital needs, like parks and facility improvements.

Answer: No. The sale of $225 million in General Obligation (GO) bonds under the Parks and Connections program will not result in a secondary property tax increase. The City of Tucson will issue new GO bonds as older bonds are retired, with the intent to keep the tax rate constant.

Answer: No. The money generated through Proposition 407 can only be used for Parks and Connections projects. A citizens' oversight commission will examine the expenditures to ensure the funds are spent as directed by the voters. Bond money cannot be used for City employee salaries or pension costs.

Answer: The Parks projects included in Proposition 407 are capital improvement projects that respond to the community's call for reinvestment in existing facilities and investment in expanded connectivity among existing parks to neighborhoods. The Connections projects in the plan were carefully selected to improve safety and provide comfortable ways to travel to parks, recreation centers, libraries, schools, transit facilities, and access to The Loop.

Answer: The City of Tucson used the Tucson Parks and Recreation System Master Plan, as well as individual park master plans, to identify Parks projects for Proposition 407. The Connections projects make use of the City of Tucson Bicycle Boulevard Master Plan, the Pima County Regional Trail System Master Plan, and previously vetted Pedestrian Safety and Walkability Projects, to identify Connections projects. The development of the master plans used a variety of methods to gather extensive community and stakeholder input.

Answer: Because the City's goal is to maintain the current secondary tax at the existing rate, new bonds will be issued in July 2020 as old bond debt is retired. Prior to issuance, City staff will work with community members to design upcoming improvements.

Answer: A Parks and Connections Citizens' Bond Oversight Commission will examine the expenditures to ensure the funds are spent as directed by voters.

Answer: Mayor and Council have directed the City Manager and Staff to increase the Parks department maintenance budget now and over the life of the Bond both to restore and improve maintenance capabilities to meet the projected modest increase in maintenance requirements that will result from the completion of the Prop 407 Parks Bond projects in 2029. The direction included establishing a segregated fund / dedicated funding source for maintenance. Initial funding sources identified for this purpose include the annual Service Line Warranty revenues, restored HURF revenues for pathways and greenways, and conservation cost savings that will be realized from improved efficiencies in water and energy use.

The majority of the Prop 407 Capital projects proposed provide an initial benefit of reducing current maintenance requirements as they address the underlying infrastructure conditions creating the maintenance need. Additionally, much of the new work and the materials will be warrantied from at least one year to as long as 25 years and new/refurbished amenities require minor, lower cost maintenance to keep them up once completed. Examples of these projects include:

• Resurfacing of sports courts using the latest advanced materials - warranty
• Installation of shade structures at playgrounds – warranty and playground life extension
• Installation and/or conversion of field and area lighting systems to LED – warranty and energy cost reduction
• Installation and replacement of outdated irrigation systems with the latest technology including moisture monitoring – warranty, water cost reduction, energy cost reduction
• Pool filtration and treatment system replacement – warranty, energy cost reduction, reduced maintenance requirements
• Recreation center facility repairs including HVAC replacement – warranty, energy cost reduction, significantly reduced maintenance requirements

There are also Parks projects in Prop 407 that will help to generate revenue for the Parks system that can be used to help meet our maintenance requirements. Increased field availability through lighting improvements, improvements to arts and event venues like the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, and new and remodeled ramadas will generate additional rental fees that will augment the Parks budget. Expansions in the Lincoln Park Softball Complex will allow for more and larger collegiate, youth, and adult sports tournaments that generate additional General Fund revenues on a larger scale as players come in from around the country and make significant expenditures for lodging, dining, and activities in our city and region.