Act 1 Discussion: Debt Act Referendum Upper Dublins Experience - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 16
About This Presentation
Title:

Act 1 Discussion: Debt Act Referendum Upper Dublins Experience

Description:

Have History Under Control. Things to Consider. The vote was based on a ... the building the way you want as opposed to avoiding 'Taj Mahal') 2) No Hearing ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:86
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 17
Provided by: Wcol
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Act 1 Discussion: Debt Act Referendum Upper Dublins Experience


1
Act 1 Discussion Debt Act Referendum - Upper
Dublins Experience
2
Act 1 Discussion Debt Act Referendum
  • On March 20 The Upper Dublin Community approved a
    119.2 Million of Debt to fund a new High School
    with a vote of 4,275 yes and 2,562 no.

3
Our Background
  • A 25 member community Task Force reviewed all
    District Facilities for a period of over a year
    led by Vitetta Architects
  • The Product was a District Wide Feasibility
    Study, a recommendation that the HS was the first
    priority, and very detailed HS Educational Model

4
Our Background cont.
  • Our HS building is 2, 50 year old buildings
    which were later connected. The result was a
    large footprint and not particularly attractive
    or well master planned building.
  • The architects cost estimate for major renovation
    and addition was 95 million and new
    construction 105 million
  • We had a 70 mill parameters resolution

5
Background and Process
  • Based on the small cost diff, for credibility
    purposes we hired two additional arch firms to
    review our situation and create 1) a 70 mill
    renovation 2) a renovation and addition project
    and 3) a new construction option Design
    Competition
  • Hire a CM to review Arch costs to insure fair and
    reasonable Arch estimates

6
Process to Referendum
  • New architect selected
  • Cost differential of new and renovation still
    small 10 mill 10
  • Based on costs and the limit of the parameters
    resolution, Board supported the Referendum
    Decision

7
Rules of a Debt Act Referendum
  • Adopt a resolution 45 days before the referendum.
  • Referendum Date selected is guided by specific
    criteria. Either general, municipal, primary, or
    special election or more than 90 days away from
    other election dates
  • Get Solicitor (Wisler Pearlstine), Bond Counsel
    (Saul Ewing), and Financial Advisor (PFM)
    Involved
  • Public Relations or other Advisory Involved ?????

8
Referendum
  • Based on the perceived confusion of the May
    Primary Act 1 EIT/PIT vote and construction
    cost delay of waiting, Board decided to hold a
    separate referendum
  • Contact your County Election Board (they will
    likely not be to happy)
  • Referendum Question 53 Pa CS Section 8042(5) for
    wording. You can only ask 1 question no either
    or

9
Referendum
  • Our Superintendent and Board got the word out.
    Lots of Tours of HS. Involve Pro-Ed groups,
    Athletic, Arts, and Music Orgs
  • Lots of Community Meetings
  • Lots of Milestone Meetings
  • Lots of Information Meetings
  • Helpful to Have Pro Organizations prior to
    Referendum being Scheduled

10
Referendum
  • The District pays the cost of the referendum
    for us 14 voting locations cost 25K
  • Talk to your solicitor about what position you
    can take
  • If a no vote on the referendum you have to wait
    155 days

11
Roll Of Bus. Mgr.
  • Talk Real Numbers
  • Keep Others Grounded
  • Keep Process Honest
  • Time Talking To Citizens

12
Bus. Mgr. Strategy
  • Do not shy away from the numbers
  • Have History Under Control

13
Things to Consider
  • The vote was based on a schematic design. Plus
    you dont spend lots of on arch fees that if
    there is a no vote, is wasted. Minus the
    design is very likely to change - you will be
    accused of misleading and costs can change a lot.
    Implication build in a large contingency (we
    used 12.5)
  • Commit to decisions early Arch Fees CM or not
    to some extent quality of construction
  • District-wide Building such as HS easier

14
This Is GreatBut Our Community Will Never Vote
For a Tax Increase
  • Discussion

15
Electoral Debt Positives
  • Does not count against Borrowing Base
    Calculations
  • Certain ACT 34 rules appear to go away including
    1) capacity (you can design the building the
    way you want as opposed to avoiding Taj Mahal)
    2) No Hearing

16
After All This
  • Call with questions Wade Coleman and Mike
    Paston Pres. of Board - 215 643 8811
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com