Wright City placing $1.5 million bond issue on ballot
Posted 5/6/15
By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor Wright City is placing a $1.5 million bond issue on the Aug. 4 ballot to fund the purchase of property for a new city hall, make renovations to the existing …
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Wright City placing $1.5 million bond issue on ballot
Posted
By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWright City is placing a $1.5 million bond issue on the Aug. 4 ballot to fund the purchase of property for a new city hall, make renovations to the existing facility and provide more space for the parks department.City officials for some time have discussed the need to have more room for city hall, as well as more ball fields to accommodate the growing number of people participating in summer baseball and softball leagues.As part of the proposed plan, the city will purchase approximately 4 1/2 acres at 636 Westwoods Road, just east of the Lions Club, for $322,000. Officials will renovate the former church facility into a new city hall, with an undetermined amount of ball fields to be built also on the property.The police department would take over the entire existing city hall, at 203 Veterans Memorial Parkway, with municipal court hearings also returning to the facility.Currently, court hearings are held at the Wil Heiliger Activity Building at Diekroeger Park. However, city officials are concerned about the appearance of having hearings held in a park near local youth.The proposed bond measure would take care of the city’s immediate and future needs.“Nobody likes tax increases,” Mayor David Heiliger toldThe Record. “With this board, our records show we are fiscally responsible. We’re at a point where we are blowing up in the parks. Everybody benefits from this. It’s a win-win.”A two-thirds majority from voters is needed to pass the bond issue. The bonds would be paid off in 20 years, according to city officials.“Everything is contingent on voter approval,” Heiliger said. “If this does not get approved, it’s done.”The bond measure, if passed, will increase personal property and real estate taxes by 19 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Most property owners would see their taxes go up between $40 and $70, officials said.For a home worth $100,000, the monthly increase would cost an additional $3.17 per month; a $150,000 home would be $4.75; and a $200,000 home would be $6.33.Officials also noted that those figures are based on the 2014 assessed valuation. If the valuation would increase, a property owner’s tax bill would decrease.The last time the city passed a similar bond issue was 1994, according to Girondo. At the time, the $500,000 measure was used for the existing city hall and for water, sewer and street improvements, according to officials.Heiliger said the city will form a committee to help inform residents about the need for the increase and to promote the bond measure. He anticipates open houses being held to show how cramped space is at the existing city hall and at to review plans at the proposed future site of the new city hall. A door-to-door campaign will also be made.“We will be communicating with the residents,” Heiliger said.Several years ago, the city purchased the former Big Boy’s property along Veterans Memorial Parkway as a possible future site to house city hall and the police department. However, once the site was cleaned up, officials agreed the property would be best suited for a commercial development that would bring more businesses and jobs to the city.At a Glance• $1.5 million bond issue is funded through a 19-cent tax increase on personal property and real estate.• City would purchase former St. Charles Assembly of God property on Westwoods Road for $322,000 and renovate facility into new city hall.• Former church property would also provide space to add an undetermined amount of ball fields to be used by the parks department.• Existing city hall would be renovated and house the police department. Municipal court hearings also would return to facility.
Wright City has signed a contract to purchase the former St. Charles Assembly of God Church on Westwoods Road, contingent on voters approving a tax increase Aug. 4.
