Commitment to the Community
Truth in Bonding Code: Bonding Disclosure, Accountability and Implementation
The intent of this part of Pima County’s code is to provide voters with sufficient descriptions of the projects we are committing to build, provide easily accessible information on a regular basis regarding the status of completing such projects, and provide plenty of opportunities for the public to provide input on any substantial changes to projects that may become necessary over time. Click here to access the portion of County code referred to as the Truth in Bonding Code.
An Arizona Auditor General's office audit of Pima County's 1997, 2004 and 2006 general obligation bond programs found that: Pima County's bond programs represent a uniquely collaborative effort between the County and its cities, towns and tribes; the bond funds were used for the purposes the voters authorized and followed the approval process for any necessary changes; and the programs benefited residents all over Pima County in similar proportion to the taxes paid. Audit Report
Bond Implementation Plan Ordinances: What will be built, where, when and at what cost?
Bond Implementation Plan Ordinances provide detailed descriptions of each of the projects that will be built if voters approve a bond program in an election. The Bond Implementation Plan Ordinance must be completed, approved and available to voters before a bond election. Before early voting begins, the Bond Implementation Plan Ordinances must be:
- Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
- Noticed in the newspaper
- Placed on the County website
Bond Implementation Plan Ordinances for bond elections held in 1997, 2004, 2006 and 2014
Process for Changes and Opportunities for Public Input on Changes
As projects move from concept to design and bidding, changes to project scopes, benefits, costs or timing may be necessary. Before the plan can be changed, the following must occur:
- The 25-member Bond Advisory Committee must approve at a public meeting any substantial changes as amendments to the Bond Implementation Plan Ordinances.
- The Pima County Board of Supervisors must approve the amendments after a public hearing that is noticed in the newspaper.
- Additionally, if a city, town or tribe requested a project, that governing body must hold a public hearing and vote in favor of requesting the substantial change.
Citizen Advisory Community and Regular Reporting
Pima County code requires that a Bond Advisory Committee of 25 members representing each of the incorporated cities and towns, the two tribes, the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and the County Administrator oversee implementation of voter approved bond programs.
The Bond Advisory Committee and the Board of Supervisors meet at least twice a year at a public meeting to review and approve status reports on the bond programs and consider any substantial changes. Additional advisory committees actively meet to provide even more oversight of natural open space acquisitions, acquisition of open space to prevent encroachment on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, neighborhood reinvestment projects, affordable housing projects, and implementation of the Pima County Wireless Integrated Network (PCWIN). More information about these committees is available at Citizen Advisory Groups. Regular status reports are available under Progress and Reports, as well as by Bond Project type.