By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Streets, roads and other projects in the City of Piedmont have never been funded with voter-approved general obligation bonds before.
But the city council voted Monday night to ask voters to approve a bond program with three propositions for $16.7 million to fund a list of projects in three areas, roads, sports and city buildings.
A special election will be Tuesday, August 27, and Piedmont residents will decide the fate of the issues.
Voting yes to call for the special election were council members Ryan Aller, Ron Cardwell and Rob Jones. Councilmen Jonathan Hisey and Byron Schlomach voted no.
The 20-year bonds sold at a 3.5% interest rate would increase property taxes in Piedmont.
The bond program would fund improvements to streets, roads, and intersections as well as projects to include sidewalks, bicycle paths, landscaping, driveway construction, sports and recreational facilities and more.
City Manager Josh Williams told council members there are three propositions falling under roads, sports facilities, and municipal buildings. He said residents have expressed their desires to improve their quality of life, from soccer fields for tournaments to sidewalk improvements.
Work would be done on other city buildings including the fire and police departments.
Piedmont has not passed a general obligation bond issue to fund capital improvements before.
If approved an annual property tax would be collected from Piedmont residents.
Williams said people want to see improvements in the downtown area. Priority roads include Edmond Road and Piedmont Road.
If approved by voters, a homeowner would see an increase of their monthly property tax.
The first proposition will be for about $10.1 million for streets and roads, the second proposition for sports facilities and site development would be for about $4.6 million. Planning for the projects and land acquisition would be needed for a sports complex. An aquatic park and pickleball courts could be part of the plan. It would take at least 35-40 acres for such a sports park.
The third proposition for municipal buildings and facilities would be about $1.8 million. Work would be done to expand the fire station and police department building.
Piedmont City Council Member Ron Cardwell asked about the plan for the public works building.
“I know we set aside some money for the public works building,” Cardwell said.
Williams said the city had budgeted $750,000 for the building.
Councilman Rob Jones of Ward asked how the city planned to promote passage of the bond issue questions. Williams said “there is a whole host of things we can do to get it out. We are starting from ground zero.”
Cardwell of Ward 2 said he supported the plan. “I think we need to step up and do this.” However, Schlomach also said he felt rushed and wanted more time to study the propositions such as a sports complex.
Councilman Byron Schlomach of Ward 5 said, “I know we need something to drive people to Piedmont.”
“We need more businesses coming in here,” Schlomach said.
Voters in Piedmont defeated a road tax proposal in 2021 with 81.4% against it. That proposal three years ago would have added a $28 a month charge on utility bills for road improvements. Meanwhile, the city is said to be growing at about 5% a year with a population nearing 10,000 with an increase in residential homes.
The proposed increase would be seen on 2025 ad valorem tax, or property tax based on the taxable market value assessed by the Canadian County Assessor’s office.
A 15 mill levy rate would be established to pay off the bonds if approved by voters. A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of value of a property. If approved by voters the tax on a $250,000 house would go up about $36 a month.
Read The Piedmont-Surrey Gazette for coverage of local news and developments to this story.
