Support the School Bond Renewal

In the November elections, we will have an opportunity to support our school district.  Every ten years the district needs a yes vote to continue their bond system.  The district uses bonds to fund new capital projects and major improvement projects.

The following information is from fliers supporting the initiative:

School Bonding Information

 A bond is essentially taking out a loan for a SPECIFIC project.  All money that is bonded has to be used on the specified project.

Prior to 2006 all projects that needed bonding money went to the voters to decide before the money was bonded. After 2006 the voters passed that within a 10 year period the school district could issue bonds as needed.

In order for the school district to have enough funds to do any projects requiring large sums of money, it must issue bonds.  There are other ways to fund capital projects but they are limited in their uses and vary in funds available.  For example, Governmental Services Tax Fund (motor vehicle privilege tax) and the Residential Construction Tax (must be used in the area where residential construction is taking place),

Large projects are called Capital Projects.  Capital Projects are the following:

            New construction, expansion, renovation, or replacement projects for and existing facility or facilities.  The project must have a total cost of at least $10,000 over the life of the project.  Project costs can include the cost of land, engineering, architectural planning, and contract services needed to complete the project.

                                                -or-

            It is a purchase of a major equipment (assets) costing $50,000 or more with a useful life of at least 10 years.

                                                -or-

            It is a major maintenance or rehabilitation project for existing facilities with a cost of $10,000 or more and an economic life of more than 10 years.

What is the bond rate in Lyon County?

            It is 58.67 cents per $100 of assessed property value. Voting Yes on the bond question will not increase the 58.67 cents.

Examples of projects that could be funded with bond money are the following, but not limited to:

Roof Replacements     Boiler & heating/air condition unit replacements

Gymnasium & stadium bleacher replacements         new school buses

            Technology infrastructure      Security measures      Fire sprinklers

 and...

Lyon County should be a place where families and businesses aspire to live and thrive.  One of the key aspects for strong communities and businesses are schools where children are taught to compete in today's world - a balance of inspiration, innovation, and responsibility.  Simple, clean well-working schools is the goal of this bond renewal.  It is important that schools reflect our responsible commitment to the youth and families in this county.  Lyon County School District (LCSD) aspires to help lead this county to a place where people and businesses thrive and efficient schools are needed to do this. A YES vote will allow the LCSD to continue the current 10 year rollover bond with a "pay as you go" component. In addition, the existing tax rate of 58.67 cents per $100 of assessed property value will be maintained, as it exists today. With a YES vote, LCSD has the ability to issue additional bonds as current bonds are continually repaid.  Due to current laws, bonding is the only method for LCSD to obtain the funds necessary to complete major capital projects.  Potential bond projects include, but are not limited to:

•    School safety measures such as single point entrance, cameras, intercoms and fire sprinkler systems 

•    New construction to meet the needs of a growing community 

•    Replacement of roofs, boilers, HVAC systems, stadium/gymnasium bleachers, gym floors, parking lots, school buses, etc. 

•    Technology infrastructure improvements  

It should be noted that the LCSD has saved tax payers approximately 3 million dollars by refinancing current bonds, and will continue to exercise fiscal responsibility with the passing of this bond renewal. "Building better schools for thriving communities"