Education G.O. Bond worth $230 million-plus

New Mexico voters will be able to decide on four general obligation bond questions in November's general election, including a $230.2 million higher education bond package.

The bond questions include $30.7 million for senior centers; $19.3 million for libraries; $230.2 million for higher education; and $10 million for public safety.

Most years New Mexico voters approve general obligation bonds. The last time New Mexicans voted down a higher education bond package was in 2010. That year, the $155 million bond package would have increased some property taxes. This year, property taxes are continuations of previous taxes.

State property taxes are set at 1.36 mills. A mill is $1 for every $1,000 of the taxable value of a property. All of the state property taxes collected go toward the repayment of outstanding general obligation bonds. Typically, 10-year bonds are issued to fund general obligation projects. Using bond packages makes it easier to manage cash flow for large capital projects.

Senior centers

Voters will be able to decide on $30.7 million in bonds for senior centers across the state. The bond money would go through the New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department.

Locally the measure would specifically provide $175,000 to purchase and equip vehicles for Clovis’ senior center.

City Manager Justin Howalt said two vans would be purchased to transport seniors to programs in town and out of town.

Libraries

The second statewide bond question would authorize $19.3 million for library acquisitions at all kinds of public libraries, including at schools and universities.

Voters are being asked to authorize $6 million for the Cultural Affairs Department to be used for public libraries statewide; $6 million for the Higher Education Department to use for academic libraries; $6 million for the Public Education Department to spend on public school libraries; and $1 million for tribal libraries, which would also go through the Cultural Affairs Department.

Higher education

Bond question three is the highest dollar value bond question on the ballot and would authorize $230.2 million for capital improvements at higher education, special schools and tribal schools.

New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and the University of New Mexico would come away with the lion's share of bond dollars. NMSU would get $50.5 million for its main campus, branch campuses and agricultural science and experimentation stations, while UNM would get $94.5 million.

Eastern New Mexico University’s Portales campus and Clovis Community College would each receive $2 million if the measure passes.

CCC would use its money to plan, design, construct, renovate and equip improvements to the cosmetology and classroom south building, including parking lot improvements.

ENMU-Portales would use its money in part to construct an animal production and management facility.

Public safety

Bond question four asks voters to authorize $10 million for public safety radio communications improvements statewide, which would go through the state's Department of Information Technology.

The Eastern New Mexico News contributed to this report.