On November 7th, the citizens of Wendell will not only be casting votes for the Board of Commissioners, there will also be the question of our first bond referendum on the ballot. This referendum is seeking public approval for the issuance of $50 million in general obligation bonds, $38 million for parks and recreation projects and $12 million for transportation improvements. While $50 million is a lot of money, the issuance of municipal bonds is the lowest cost option for towns such as Wendell to finance significant capital projects. For more information on the projects that this bond will target, I refer you to the Town page at https://www.townofwendell.com/2023bond

So, what will this new debt mean to the citizens of Wendell? It will result in an increase in the property tax rate to make the payments on the new debt. How much will that increase be? There are some estimates within the link above, but it is essential that the Board keeps the increases within manageable levels for all citizens. A prudent Board will review each proposal to be charged towards the bonds to ensure they clearly work towards achieving the stated goals and do so in a fiscally responsible manner. I support the bond referendum as it represents a sound policy to address vital needs within our community and maintain the quality of life we enjoy.

As I discussed in a previous post, taxes paid by citizens should be seen as a financial investment in their community. It is the responsibility of the elected board to clearly illustrate to the citizens what they will see as the return on their investment. Likewise, it is the responsibility of the citizens to elect Commissioners that have the leadership skills to engage and excel with this responsibility, have the experience required to understand this important process, and have the vision to move the community forward in a socially and financially sound manner. Elections are not popularity contests – they are job interviews. The citizens of Wendell deserve the most qualified, engaged, and genuine representatives to lead this town and not just participate on the Board. I’m fully ready to embrace that responsibility should you choose to hire me on November 7th. Thank you for your support.