Much of the controversy affecting the bond referendum debate comes from confusion and suspicion; products it seems of misunderstanding more than evidence of real disagreement. The Vice Mayor attempted this week to dispel confusion and drill-down on the specific and limited question to be put to the voters. That is, whether the next Council should have general obligation bond financing as an option pre-authorized by the voters. The purpose behind this is to enable Council, acting in real time as necessary based on real project needs, to select GOB financing over other financing options to pay for resiliency projects as the projects come up for approval, if GOB financing is found to be more favorable than other options.
The Vice Mayor rightly pointed out that the ultimate decision is up to the voters. Analyses in favor or in opposition have begun to be circulated and will doubtless be in plentiful supply between now and November. For now, the sole decision is whether to put the referendum on the ballot so the voters can choose. That decision is easy. Helping to inform the voters will be less so…