ABOUT BOND ISSUE 3A

A Strong Community Needs
Quality Educational Facilities

Proposed Bond Measure Would Fund Multi-Purpose Football,
Track and Physical Education Complex

Vote Yes on Measure 3

PDF File Downloads (Click Images Below)

Tiger Field Brochure (710 Kb PDF)

Tiger Stadium Design (480 Kb PDF)

A Case For High School Activities (106 Kb PDF)

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Measure 3A Overview

Measure 3A calls for a $4.3 million bond that funds the replacement of a deteriorating community asset. This bond can be accomplished by extending the district’s existing bond fund levy. Below is a list of what the $4.3 million bond would fund.

The new outdoor facility will use existing La Junta High School parking and team locker rooms, adding a substantial cost savings to the project.

The new facility, with its location adjacent to the high school, can provide for improved physical education classes, band practice, and other educational activities. It will also provide additional revenue streams to the district and the community because of the ability to hold regional and state sports competitions and state band competitions. The community will also reap benefits as recreational joggers/walkers will have access to the track. Youth sports can hold competitions and camps at the facility. Improved school facilities will provide incentives for industries to relocate to La Junta. Economic benefits could arise with increased visitors to the area, to say nothing of the increased safety factor for current and future students. Our students deserve safe, state-of-the-art facilities. Our community deserves to feel proud of what it provides for its children.

 

Cost Comparison

Cost to renovate existing facility	$5.6 million
Cost to demolish existing facility and build a brand new complex	$4.3 million
Cost to maintain grass field & cinder track	40 cents/square foot
Cost to maintain synthetic field & rubberized track	9 cents/square foot

 

Argument for the Measure (as appears in the official ballot packet)

La Junta School District has the opportunity to replace a deteriorating community asset (built in 1939) at no additional cost to the taxpayer by simply extending the district's existing bond fund levy for another 20 years.

• The new Tiger Field will allow our students, bands and sports teams to use a modern, safe, state-of-the-art facility;
  
  
• The new Tiger Field will allow La Junta to again host Tiger Relays (the longest, continuous state track meet) in La Junta and, thus, provide economic benefits for our community;
  
• A modern sports facility will help our community attract employers who are thinking of locating in La Junta;
  
• Because of our narrow, six-lane track with its slower cinder surface, La Junta may lose its ability to attract quality teams to future meets;
  
• A new, all-weather, rubberized surface will reduce injuries to our athletes;
  
• Our current stadium, track, concession stand, restrooms and locker rooms are outdated and in poor condition, and our students and community deserve better;
  
• By building the football field with state-of-the-art synthetic turf, we can actually save taxpayers money for decades by eliminating the cost of watering, mowing and maintaining a grass surface, which does not make sense in arid Southeastern Colorado;
  
• By relocating the facility behind the existing high school, it allows for much better utilization of the facility, i.e., physical classes, band practice and other activities.

Explanation about the Bond Measure Language
Below you will find the official wording of the actual ballot measure as well as the East Otero School District Board of Education’s Resolution authorizing the ballot measure.

As has been explained previously in the web site, Measure 3A will fund the demolition of the existing Tiger Field and construction of a new multi-purpose football, track and physical education complex. The current mill levy for the property owners in East Otero School District will remain the same with this new bond measure and there will be NO TAX INCREASE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS. With the new bond, however, the term of the current mill levy will be extended.

The wording in the ballot measure is misleading. There will be no property tax increase for property owners. The current mill levy rate (10.801) will remain the same. Even though the election question must read “shall taxes be increased”, there is no new tax impact from the new bonds. The new debt service, along with the District’s existing debt service (from the middle school bond), can be serviced by the existing bond fund mill levy of 10.801 mills plus the existing balances in the bond fund this year and in future years as well.

 

2008 BOND QUESTION to be Placed on the November 4, 2008 Ballot.

[Bond Issue in Spanish]

SHALL EAST OTERO SCHOOL DISTRICT R-1 (LA JUNTA) DEBT BE INCREASED $4,300,000, WITH A REPAYMENT COST OF $7,840,000, AND SHALL DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $423,000 ANNUALLY TO PAY SUCH DEBT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF:

• CONSTRUCTING, IMPROVING AND EQUIPPING NEW FOOTBALL, TRACK AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION FACILITIES TO BE LOCATED BEHIND TIGER GYM;
  
  

AND SHALL THE MILL LEVY BE INCREASED IN ANY YEAR, WITHOUT LIMITATION OF RATE AND IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON SUCH DEBT OR ANY REFUNDING DEBT (OR TO CREATE A RESERVE FOR SUCH PAYMENT), SUCH DEBT TO BE EVIDENCED BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS BEARING INTEREST AT A MAXIMUM NET EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE NOT TO EXCEED 6.00%, SUCH BONDS TO BE SOLD IN ONE SERIES OR MORE, FOR A PRICE ABOVE OR BELOW THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH SERIES, ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND WITH SUCH MATURITIES AS PERMITTED BY LAW AND AS THE DISTRICT MAY DETERMINE, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR REDEMPTION OF THE BONDS PRIOR TO MATURITY WITH OR WITHOUT PAYMENT OF THE PREMIUM OF NOT TO EXCEED THREE PERCENT; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE DEBT TO REFUND THE DEBT AUTHORIZED IN THIS QUESTION, PROVIDED THAT AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH REFUNDING DEBT THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ALL DEBT ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS QUESTION DOES NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT SET FORTH ABOVE, AND PROVIDED FURTHER THAT ALL DEBT ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THIS QUESTION IS ISSUED ON TERMS THAT DO NOT EXCEED THE REPAYMENT COSTS AUTHORIZED IN THIS QUESTION; AND SHALL SUCH TAX REVENUES AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH BOND PROCEEDS AND TAX REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

 

East Otero School District Board of Education Resolution

(adopted August 11, 2008)

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, East Otero School District R-1 (the “District”), in the County of Otero and the State of Colorado, is a public corporation duly organized and existing under the Constitution and the laws of the State of Colorado; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Education of the District (the “Board”) have been duly elected, chosen and qualified; and

WHEREAS, Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (“TABOR”) requires voter approval for any new tax, the creation of any debt and for spending certain moneys above limits established by TABOR; and

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the interest of the District and the public interest and necessity demand and require construction, improving, and equipping new football, track and physical education facilities to be located behind Tiger Gym, all at a cost estimated at approximately $4,300,000 (the “Project”); and

WHEREAS, TABOR requires the District to submit ballot issues (as defined in TABOR) to the District’s electors on limited election days before action can be taken on such ballot issues; and

WHEREAS, November 4, 2008, is one of the election dates at which ballot issues may be submitted to the eligible electors of the District pursuant to TABOR; and

WHEREAS, the County Clerk and Recorder (the “County Clerk”) of Otero County (the “County”) will conduct the election on November 4, 2008, as a coordinated election (the “election”); and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to submit to the eligible electors of the District, at the election, the proposition of creating general obligation indebtedness in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $4,300,000 to finance the Project and increasing taxes to pay such debt; and

WHEREAS, the District will not have held more than one other election on the question of contracting a bonded indebtedness for any purpose within the twelve months immediately preceding the election herein called.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF EAST OTERO SCHOOL DISTRICT R-1, IN THE COUNTY OF OTERO AND THE STATE OF COLORADO:

Section 1.   All action heretofore taken (not inconsistent with the provisions of this resolution) by the District and the officers thereof, directed towards the election, the Project and the objects and purposes herein stated are, ratified, approved and confirmed. Unless otherwise defined herein, all terms used herein shall have the meanings specified in Section 22-42-101, C.R.S. or Section 1-1-104, C.R.S.

Section 2.   The election shall be conducted as a coordinated election pursuant to TABOR, Article 42 of Title 22, C.R.S., and the Uniform Election Code of 1992, and all laws amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto. The election shall be conducted by the County Clerk. The District hereby determines that the election shall be held on November 4, 2008, and that there shall be submitted to the eligible electors of the District the question set forth herein. Because the election will be held as part of the coordinated election, the Board hereby determines that the County Clerk shall conduct the election on behalf of the District pursuant to the Uniform Election Code of 1992.

Section 3.   The total aggregate principal amount of the indebtedness to be incurred from time to time for the portion of the Project to be acquired pursuant to this resolution shall not exceed the sum of $4,300,000, and the maximum net effective interest rate to be paid on such indebtedness shall not exceed 6.0%.

Section 4.   The Board hereby authorizes and directs the officers of the District to certify on or before September 5, 2008, the following question in substantially the form hereinafter set forth to the County Clerk. Such question shall be submitted to the eligible electors of the District at the election.

2008 BOND QUESTION (see above)

Section 5.   If a majority of the votes cast on the question to authorize general obligation indebtedness submitted at the election shall be in favor of incurring general obligation indebtedness as provided in such question, the District acting through the Board shall be authorized to proceed with the necessary action to incur general obligation indebtedness in accordance with such question.

Section 6.   Any authority to contract general obligation indebtedness, if conferred by the results of the election, shall be deemed and considered a continuing authority to contract the general obligation indebtedness so authorized at any one time, or from time to time, and neither the partial exercise of the authority so conferred, nor any lapse of time, shall be considered as exhausting or limiting the full authority so conferred.

Section 7.   If a majority of the votes cast on the question authorize the issuance of bonds as described in the bond question set forth above, the District intends to issue such bonds in the approximate aggregate principal amount of $4,300,000 to pay the costs of the Project, including the reimbursement of certain costs incurred by the District prior to the execution and delivery of such bonds, upon terms acceptable to the District, as authorized in a resolution to be hereafter adopted and to take all further action which is necessary or desirable in connection therewith. The officers, employees and agents of the District shall take all action necessary or reasonably required to carry out, give effect to and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and shall take all action necessary or desirable to finance the Project and to otherwise carry out the transactions contemplated by the resolution. The District shall not use reimbursed moneys for purposes prohibited by Treasury Regulation §1.150-2(h). This resolution is intended to be a declaration of “official intent” to reimburse expenditures within the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.150-2.

Section 8.   Pursuant to Section 1-11-203.5, C.R.S., any election contest arising out of a ballot issue or ballot question election concerning the order of the ballot or the form or content of the ballot title shall be commenced by petition filed with the proper court within five days after the title of the ballot issue or ballot question is set.

Section 9.   The officers of the District are authorized and directed to take all action necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of this resolution.

Section 10.   All orders, bylaws and resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict with this resolution, are hereby repealed.

Section 11.   If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this resolution shall for any reason be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability of such section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this resolution.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this August 11, 2008.

 

 

 

2008 Bond Question (in Spanish)

Distrito Escolar R-1 de East Otero

ASUNTO DE BONOS DEL 2008

¿DEBE AUMENTARSE LA DEUDA DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR R-1 DE EAST OTERO (LA JUNTA) POR LA SUMA DE $4,300,000, CON UN COSTO DE AMORTIZACIÓN DE $7,840,000, Y DEBEN AUMENTARSE LOS IMPUESTOS DEL DISTRITO POR LA SUMA $423,000 ANUALMENTE PARA AMORTIZAR DICHA DEUDA, CON EL FIN DE:

• CONSTRUIR, MEJORAR Y EQUIPAR NUEVAS INSTALACIONES DE FÚTBOL AMERICANO, ATLETISMO Y EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA A INSTALARSE DETRÁS DEL GIMNASIO TIGER;
  
  

Y DEBE AUMENTARSE EL GRAVAMEN DE MILÉSIMO EN CUALQUIER AÑO, SIN LIMITACIÓN DE TIPO Y POR UN IMPORTE SUFICIENTE PARA AMORTIZAR EL CAPITAL, LA PRIMA EN SU CASO Y EL INTERÉS SOBRE DICHO ENDEUDAMIENTO O CUALQUIER ENDEUDAMIENTO DE AMORTIZACIÓN (O PARA CREAR UNA RESERVA PARA DICHA AMORTIZACIÓN), HACIÉNDOSE CONSTAR DICHO ENDEUDAMIENTO MEDIANTE LA EMISIÓN DE BONOS DE OBLIGACIÓN GENERAL QUE DEVENGAN INTERÉS A UN TIPO DE INTERÉS EFECTIVO NETO MÁXIMO QUE NO EXCEDERÁ EL 6.00%, CUYOS BONOS SERÁN VENDIDOS EN UNA SERIE O MÁS, A UN PRECIO POR ARRIBA O POR DEBAJO DEL IMPORTE DEL CAPITAL DE DICHA SERIE, BAJO LOS TÉRMINOS Y CONDICIONES, Y CON LOS VENCIMIENTOS PERMITIDOS POR LEY, Y SEGÚN DETERMINASE EL DISTRITO, INCLUSIVE ESTIPULACIONES PARA LA REDENCIÓN DE LOS BONOS ANTES DEL VENCIMIENTO, CON O SIN EL PAGO DE LA PRIMA, QUE NO EXCEDERÁ EL TRES POR CIENTO; Y DEBE EL DISTRITO ESTAR AUTORIZADO A EMITIR ENDEUDAMIENTO PARA LA AMORTIZACIÓN DEL ENDEUDAMIENTO AUTORIZADO EN ESTE ASUNTO, SIEMPRE QUE DESPUÉS DE LA EMISIÓN DE DICHO ENDEUDAMIENTO DE AMORTIZACIÓN, EL IMPORTE TOTAL PENDIENTE DEL CAPITAL DE TODO EL ENDEUDAMIENTO EMITIDO CONFORME A ESTE ASUNTO NO EXCEDA EL IMPORTE MÁXIMO DEL CAPITAL ARRIBA ESTIPULADO, Y SIEMPRE QUE, ADICIONALMENTE, TODO EL ENDEUDAMIENTO EMITIDO POR EL DISTRITO CONFORME AL PRESENTE ASUNTO SEA EMITIDO EN BASE A TÉRMINOS QUE NO EXCEDEN LOS COSTOS DE AMORTIZACIÓN AUTORIZADOS EN EL PRESENTE ASUNTO; Y DEBEN RECAUDARSE, RETENERSE Y DESEMBOLSARSE DICHOS INGRESOS TRIBUTARIOS Y LOS INGRESOS DEVENGADOS DE LA INVERSIÓN DEL PRODUCTO DE DICHOS BONOS E INGRESOS TRIBUTARIOS COMO CAMBIO DE INGRESOS APROBADO POR LOS VOTANTES BAJO EL ARTÍCULO X, SECCIÓN 20 DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN DE COLORADO O CUALQUIER OTRA LEY?