This November 2, 2004 is election day. Aside from the presidential campaigns, there are many other serious issues on the ballot. The more we are educated on these issues, the better our great Miami-Dade County will be. One of these issues is the General Obligation Bond 2004 (GOB), which will divide almost 3 billion dollars among a wide variety of programs over the next 30 years. Here’s what you need to know about the GOB, and how it will affect you.
A general obligation bond is one that is issued on the county’s ability to tax; no assets are used as collateral, and the county will provide payment to the bond from taxes collected specifically for this purpose. Plainly speaking, your tax dollars are going to pay for the entire $2.925 billion dollars. But before you fall off of your chair laughing at the incredible gumption of the county to expect you to cough up three billion dollars, look at the math. The bond, to be paid off by every tax-paying citizen in Miami-Dade County over the next 30 years, works out to an amazing average of only $20 per person, per year. Not bad math, huh?
An early issue with the GOB was that the projects covered were too broad in scope. In one question on the ballot, you were supposed to decide if the park system, the Head Start program and the Miami Art Museum should all get money from the bond. Fortunately, these issues have now been broken up and will show up on the ballot as eight different questions. Here is an overview of what each question will entail.
- Question 1: Construct and Improve Water, Sewer and Flood Control Systems. This would include improving distribution of clean water, safe sewage and waste disposal, improved flood control and drainage, and the preservation of endangered lands. Cost: $479 million.
- Question 2: Construct and Improve Parks and Recreational Facilities. This includes improving neighborhood and regional parks and other recreational areas to include athletic fields and gymnasiums, courts, pools, playgrounds, marinas and restoring beaches. Cost: $591 million.
- Question 3: Construct and Improve Bridges, Public Infrastructure and Neighborhood Improvements. This includes improve walkways, bikeways, bridges and access to the Seaport, and other municipal and neighborhood infrastructure improvements to enhance quality of life. The neighborhood improvements will be divided between the incorporated areas and unincorporated Miami-Dade based on population and tax revenue. Cost: $328 million.
- Question 4: Construct and Improve Public Safety Facilities. This includes promoting public safety by constructing and improving detention centers, justice centers, courthouses, police, fire and lifeguard stations, and new animal care and control facilities. Cost: $325 million.
- Question 5: Construct and Improve Emergency and Healthcare Facilities. This includes constructing and improving emergency and primary healthcare facilities at Jackson Memorial Hospital and promote accessibility to quality healthcare services. Cost: 138 million.
- Question 6: Construct and Improve Public Outreach Facilities. This includes constructing and improving public service outreach facilities to meet code and service requirements and to increase neighborhood and community access to services. Cost: $242 million.
- Question 7: Construct and Improve Housing for the Elderly and Families. This includes constructing and improving affordable housing for the elderly and working families to encourage home ownership through the acquisition, construction and renovation of residential units. Cost: $138 million.
- Question 8: Construct and Improve Cultural, Library and Multicultural Educational Facilities. This includes constructing and improving libraries, cultural facilities, and Head Start learning centers for pre-school children to offer multicultural educational opportunities and activities. Cost: $510 million.
It’s easy to see how much is incorporated into this GOB, and why there was a need to divide it into eight separate issues on the ballot. Marlene Preston, of the General Obligation Bond 2004 Committee, wants the public to realize that although it is eight separate questions, the issues were carefully thought out to complement each other. Taken together, she believes it will maximize the effects on growth management, cultural advancements and fiscal growth with the growing needs of our county. Be sure you know about the issues that will be on the ballot, and be an informed voter.
