During the May election, North Bend School District voters will be asked if they should subject themselves to a tax on property within the district to finance the capital costs of various improvements throughout the district. The total amount that would be issued under the bond is over $22 million. Funds collected are earmarked for various capital improvements on the district’s buildings.
The amount
If Measure 6-195 passes, the North Bend School District would be authorized to issue $22.695 million worth of bonds. The tax would be implemented as a property tax. Properties within the district will be subject to an (estimated) tax of $0.88 per $1,000 of assessed property value. As an example, a $200,000 home would be subject to an additional $176 in taxes per year. Per the measure, the bond would not mature in 20 years or less.
District improvements
Numerous capital improvements are mentioned in the measure, including:
- New entrances with intruder locks, and secure access systems
- Asbestos abatement, filtration, heating, and air quality improvements
- Roofing, plumbing, electrical and window repairs
- Americans with Disabilities Act-related improvements
- Addition costs such as equipment, furnishings, and bond issuance costs
Political considerations
This won’t be North Bend’s first attempt at raising money for district improvements. A similar measure was placed on the special election ballot last November. That measure asked voters for over $48 million, and it failed by a pretty wide margin, with 58% of voters casting votes against the bond. Bond measures are likely going to be facing an uphill battle, as the entire nation is facing high inflation, record-high gas prices, and a marked increase in the price of the area’s housing stock.
In short, it’s a pretty bad time to be asking voters for money, though, there’s nothing stopping the district from asking voters again during the next election.
The election and other measures
Election day is May 17, 2022. Other measures on the ballot include: Measure 6-194, a Coos County measure which would create a lodging tax in the Charleston area, and Measure 6-196, a Coos Bay measure which would create a tax bond to create a new library and 9/11 communications center.
