What is the upcoming election about?

3 Bonds 

QUESTION 1: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $135,000,000. 

QUESTION 2: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $80,000,000. 

QUESTION 3: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $17,000,000.

What are the significant dates for the election?

- If you aren't already registered to vote, the last day to register in order to be eligible to vote in this election is Tuesday, October 10th, 2023.

• Check your voter registration status at ezaz.org/vote

- Ballots will be mailed on October 11, 2023. The last day to request early ballot October 27 

- VOTED BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 7 p.m., November 7th. MAIL ballots by October 31st.

Who can vote in this election?

All registered voters that reside in the City of Goodyear will receive a ballot by mail with voting instructions in the envelope.

What policies has the City of Goodyear implement with my tax dollars?

- Implemented City-Wide Covid Lockdown - SOURCE 

- Closed playgrounds, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and fitness areas because of Covid - SOURCE 

- Implemented Mask Mandates - SOURCE 

- Goodyear is dedicated "to reduce vehicle trips and miles whenever possible," implementing Road Diets through Complete Streets, implementing 15-Minute Cities through Complete Neighborhoods Projects, and promoting the equitable distribution of housing types throughout the City. Complete Streets reduces the amount of traffic to slow traffic, alter driving experiences, implement bike lanes, Bus Rapid Transit, and/or Light Rail. The information is found in the City's 10 Year General Plan adopted in 2014. They are working on releasing a new one in the fall of 2024. SOURCE 

- 15 Minute Cities will restrict our ability to drive. - SOURCE 

- Equity teaches people and has policies based on the belief that there is systemic racism, they are entitled to reparations and more because of the color of their skin. - SOURCE

Isn't the City of Goodyear doing a good job?

The citizens of Goodyear completed a survey with multiple measures demonstrating decline in Overall Economic Health, Transportation System, Layout of Residential and Commercial Areas, As a Place to Live, Overall Quality of Life, Confidence in Goodyear Government, Government Generally Acting in the Best Interest of the Community, Being Open and Transparent to the Public, Traffic Flow on Major Streets, Ease of Public Parking, Ease of Travel by Car, Ease of Travel by Bicycle, Ease of Walking, and more. - SOURCE

Don't these services need more money?

-Last year's 2023 proposed budget was $480.4 million. Outside of the Bonds, the recommended budget for fiscal year 2024 is $581.9 million, excluding carryovers. 

- Police department positions will increase by 12. The city also will add five fire professionals, including one investigator and one public information officer. In total, 408 public safety positions will be active in 2024, which accounts for 43% of the city's total staff. 

- The parks division accounts for the next biggest segment at 17%. 

- For capital improvement projects, there will be $159.4 million in spending. Projects will include the Rainbow Valley Water Reclamation Facility Plant design and expansion. The project focuses on expanding capacity from 750,000 gallons daily to 1.5 million. Additionally, projects will include a fire station renovation, an Estrella Bridge expansion, the development of a municipal operations complex, a second parking garage at GSQ, and an agreement to extend Goodyear Way and Monte Vista Road. The bridge expansion will include scence art sculputres, overhangs and installations by Barbara Grygutis, which will cost upwards of $590,000 to install. 

- The fire station (fire station 182) also will see an artistic installation with a mosaic costing around $69,000. 

- SOURCE

What are taxpayers in the City of Goodyear being asked?

Voters will be asked to say yes or no on Three Measures: 

QUESTION 1: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $135,000,000. 

QUESTION 2: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $80,000,000. 

QUESTION 3: 

Seeks voter authorization to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the principal amount of up to $17,000,000.

What are the current tax rates for the the bonds?

- The GO Bond program is designed to maintain the overall property tax rate equal to the current $1.735/per $100 assessed value. 

- Shows up on your tax bill as secondary property tax. - Property taxes combined add up to thousands of dollars! 

- To view your current property tax liability, visit https://treasurer.maricopa.gov/Parcel/ParcelSearch.aspx

Is the City of Goodyear underfunded?

Last year's 2023 proposed budget was $480.4 million. Outside of the Bonds, the recommended budget for fiscal year 2024 is $581.9 million, excluding carryovers.

If the bonds fail, how will my taxes be affected?

- Once any outstanding Bonds and Overrides are repaid, you won't have to continue paying Secondary property taxes related to the bond. 

How has more funding impacted the City of Goodyear?

The citizens of Goodyear completed a survey with multiple measures demonstrating decline in Overall Economic Health, Transportation System, Layout of Residential and Commercial Areas, As a Place to Live, Overall Quality of Life, Confidence in Goodyear Government, Government Generally Acting in the Best Interest of the Community, Being Open and Transparent to the Public, Traffic Flow on Major Streets, Ease of Public Parking, Ease of Travel by Car, Ease of Travel by Bicycle, Ease of Walking, and more. - SOURCE

Officials claim this is a just a continuation and there will be no new taxes. Is this accurate?

- Once any outstanding Bonds and Overrides are repaid, you won't have to continue paying Secondary property taxes related to the bond. 

- If the measures pass, the current Secondary tax rates will remain the same; however; 

- If the measures pass, the total amount of taxes paid will likely go higher if there is continued inflation related to property values.

What is a bond election?

It is a vote by the public to allow the City to issue more debt for projects. The Bonds are NOT a continuation and is a separate item on the property tax statement.

What does the City of Goodyear intend to use the additional funds for?

QUESTION 1: 

Streets and transportation. The funds would be used to address city streets, transportation, traffic flow and safety by widening streets, upgrading the traffic control system and underground utilities, installing new streets lights and shared use paths for cyclists. These improvements would be citywide and specific projects along with timeline will be determined based on the city’s Transportation Master Plan, which is in the process of being updated and prioritizes street and transportation projects. 

QUESTION 2: 

Public safety projects. The funds would be used to address public safety by building a public safety training facility for the police and fire departments and a fire resource management facility. A city’s full-service training facility would allow firefighters and officers to be trained locally on the industry's newest technology, techniques and best practices. It’s for continual development and to provide specialized training. Currently training is done utilizing facilities throughout the Valley. The current fire resource building is a re-purposed fire station, the new facility would be intentionally designed to protect firefighters from dangerous carcinogens and provide a climate-controlled environment to store equipment. 

QUESTION 3: 

Parks and recreation projects. The funds would be used to address city parks and trails by extending the Bullard Wash Trail system. The pedestrian and bicycle path currently ends at McDowell Road and 150th Avenue. The extension would continue it south to connect to Goodyear Ballpark.

I’m renting. Why should I care about this election?

- If the bond measures are defeated, your landlord’s taxes will go down and could mitigate future rent increases. 

- Irrespective of being a property owner, we all want to see the kids receive a quality education. 

- To view your current property tax liability, visit https://treasurer.maricopa.gov/Parcel/ParcelSearch.aspx