Holtville Unified Schools: Vote Yes on Measure G Bonds - Imperial County - 2018 General Election
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Why didn't Holtville Unified tell you specifically what it will do with the $10,000,000 in Measure G?

We Could Really Use Your Help!

Real Grassroots Against Measure G

Visit our web page.

Send us a message.

Give us a call (or send a text) 909-378-5401.

  Commentary    Question    Analysis    Argument in Favor    Argument Against    Full Text    Tax Rate  

Commentary on Measure G

#HonestBallots Movement

Your Imperial County Registrar of Voters printed and circulated ballots for this measure that didn't conform to the law. The registrar ignored our Notice and Demand to follow the law. The legislature makes this a crime. (See: How 25 County Registrars Committed A Crime.)

If you want to get really steamed up about the collusion between your Registrar and Holtville Unified Schools to lie and cheat in order to steal your taxes, you can read the letter for yourself.

Do you want to give this district a Thanksgiving surprise? Please call or text me (with #HonestBalllots, Imperial, 0617430, and your name) at 909-378-5401 right now for details. It's urgent and very time-sensitive.

Are you sure you want vote to support this extravagant measure? It has no accountability.

This campaign was designed by Isom Advisors. We figured out just the right words to get you to you to open up your checkbook.

We'd also like to introduce you to our partners -- bond lawyers, brokers, wealthy investors, architects, management firms, construction companies, and trade unions. We all stand to make a ton of money on these bonds. Our profits come right off the top, before a penny is actually spent on improving the facilities.

We're not just doing it for the money. We like to show off our work in Architectural Digest and other places where the rich and famous congregate.

Remember, we've taken a lot of risk. We gave money to get your governing board members elected, so they'd be sure to remember us when we came around for a hand-out later.

It's just business-as-usual, here in sunny Corruptifornia.

Please don't read the fine print. That's just put in by the lawyers to make what we're going to do to for you legal.

When you see highlighting in the documents below, it to see the commentary.

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Measure G Question

APPENDIX B

ABBREVIATED FORM OF BOND MEASURE


To improve the quality of education; modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities; and construct a new gymnasium/multipurpose room for school and community use; shall Holtville Unified School District issue $10 million of bonds at legal interest rates, generating on average $617,000 annually as long as bonds are outstanding at a rate of approximately 4 cents per $100 assessed value, with annual audits, citizens' oversight committee, NO money for salaries and all money staying local?

Bonds-Yes Bonds-No


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Impartial Analysis for Measure G

COUNTY COUNSEL'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF BOND MEASURE G

Article XIIIA, Section 1, subdivision (b)(3) of the California Constitution authorizes school districts to issue bonded indebtedness through the imposition of ad valorem property taxes upon approval of fifty-five percent (55%) of voters of the district who vote on the measure.

The Holtville Unified School District ("the District") proposes to issue bonded indebtedness for construction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including furnishing and equipping school facilities, or acquisition or lease of real property for school facilities.

If fifty-five percent (55%) of the voters of the District who vote on the measure vote in favor of the measure, the District will be authorized to incur debt by issuing general obligation bonds to provide financing for projects listed in measure G. Proceeds may only be used for the stated purpose and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries, or other school operating expenses. If the measure is not approved by at least fifty-five percent (55%) of the voters of the District who vote on the measure, the measure will fail and the bonds will not be issued.

The maximum principal amount of the proposed bonds is not to exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00). The interest rate will be established at the time of sale and will depend on market rates at that time. If issued under the Government Code, the maximum duration of the bonds cannot exceed forty (40) years. If issued under the Education Code, the maximum duration of the bonds cannot exceed twenty-five (25) years. The exact effect on tax rates cannot be determined until after the bonds are sold. The bonds will bear interest at a rate not exceeding the legal limit.

An independent Citizens' Oversight Committee will actively review expenditure of bond revenues. An independent financial audit of the proceeds and an independent performance audit of the specific projects will be performed annually. An annual report will be prepared, indicating the amount of funds collected and expended, and the status of any projects listed in the measure.

A "yes" vote is a vote to authorize the issuance and sale of the general obligation bonds in an amount not-to-exceed the principal amount of ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00). A "no" vote is a vote not to authorize the District to issue and sell said bonds.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure G. If you desire a complete copy of the measure, please call the Election Official's Office at (442) 265-1060 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

s/KATHERINE TURNER
COUNTY COUNSEL

s/Geoffrey P. Holbrook
Assistant County Counsel

*13524*13-524

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Argument in Favor of Measure G

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF MEASURE G

HOLTVILLE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Holtville Unified School District was formed in 1911. Even though all our schools were built decades ago, the District has tried to maintain its facilities with previously passed school improvement measures and other resources. Our schools are some of the oldest in Imperial County and the next set of vital improvements can no longer wait. Now, our schools need our help. Vote YES on Measure G!

The longer we put off repairs, the more expensive it will become to fix these problems down the road. Now is the right time to make the necessary improvements to our schools. California does not provide schools with unmatched funds for most construction costs, so our schools need our support to make much needed repairs. Your YES vote on Measure G will ensure a safe, clean, and modern learning environment for children for decades to come.

If passed, Measure G will make critical facility improvements to our local schools, including; repairing or replacing outdated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, constructing a new gymnasium/multi-purpose room for school and community use; modernizing/renovating outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities, making health, safety and security improvements, constructing a kitchen facility to better serve students, and upgrading athletic fields and facilities for school and community use, including new lighting.

Measure G makes financial sense and protects taxpayers. All bond funds must be spent locally and cannot be taken by the State. By law, spending must be reviewed and annually audited by an independent citizens' oversight committee. In addition, funds can only be spent to improve our local schools, not for teacher or administrative salaries.

Measure G upgrades school facilities, improves the education of local students and maintains the quality of our community. That's something we can all support. Please join us and Vote Yes On Measure G!

s/Kevin Grizzle
Board Member/Parent

s/Ben Abatti, Jr
Board Member/Parent

s/Jared Garewal
Board Member/Parent

s/Matthew Hester
Board Member/Parent

s/John Hawk
Board Member

*13526*13-526

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Argument Against Measure G

No Argument Against Filed.

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Full Text of Measure G

APPENDIX A

FULL TEXT OF BOND MEASURE G

INTRODUCTION

To improve the quality of education; modernize outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities; and construct a new gymnasium/multipurpose room for school and community use; shall Holtville Unified School District issue $10 million of bonds at legal interest rates, generating on average $617,000 annually as long as bonds are outstanding at a rate of approximately 4 cents per $100 assessed value, with annual audits, citizens' oversight committee, NO money for salaries and all money staying local?

BOND AUTHORIZATION

By approval of this measure by at least 55 percent of the registered voters voting on the measure, the Holtville Unified School District will be authorized to issue and sell bonds of up to $10 million in aggregate principal amount at interest rates not to exceed legal limits and to provide financing for the specific types of school facilities projects listed in the Bond Project List described below, subject to all the accountability requirements specified below.

ACCOUNTABILITY REQUIREMENTS

The provisions in this section are specifically included in this measure in order that the voters and taxpayers in the District may be assured that their money will be spent wisely. Expenditures to address specific facilities needs of the District will be in compliance with the requirements of Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3) of the State Constitution and the Strict Accountability in Local School Construction Bonds Act of 2000 (codified at Education Code Sections 15264 and following.)

Evaluation of Needs. The School Board has identified detailed facilities needs of the District and has determined which projects to finance from a local bond. The School Board hereby certifies that it has evaluated safety, class size reduction, enrollment growth, and information technology needs in developing the Bond Project List shown below.

Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee. Following approval of this measure, the Board of Trustees will establish an Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee, under Education Code Sections 15278 and following, to ensure bond proceeds are expended only on the types of school facilities projects listed below. The committee will be established within 60 days of the date when the results of the election appear in the minutes of the School Board.

Performance Audits. The School Board will conduct annual, independent performance audits to ensure that the bond proceeds have been expended only on the school facilities projects listed below.

Financial Audits. The School Board will conduct annual, independent financial audits of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects listed below.

Government Code Accountability Requirements. As required by Section 53410 of the Government Code, (1) the specific purpose of the bonds is set forth In this Full Text of the Measure, (2) the proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used only for the purposes specified in this measure, and not for any other purpose, (3) the proceeds of the bonds, when and if issued, will be deposited into a building fund to be held by the Imperial County Treasurer, as required by the California Education Code, and (4) the Superintendent of the District shall cause an annual report to be filed with the Board of Trustees of the District not later than January 1 of each year, which report shall contain pertinent information regarding the amount of funds collected and expended, as well as the status of the projects listed in this measure, as required by Sections 53410 and 53411 of the Government Code.

NO TEACHER OR ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES

Proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by this measure shall be used only for the purposes specified in Article XIIIA, Section 1(b)(3), those being for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of school facilities, and the acquisition or lease of school facilities, and not for any other purpose, including teacher and administrator salaries and other school operating expenses.

STATE MATCHING FUNDS

The following statement is included in this measure pursuant to Education Code Section 15122.5: Approval of this measure does not guarantee that the proposed project or projects that are the subject of bonds under this measure will be funded beyond the local revenues generated by this measure. The District's proposal for the project or projects described below may assume the receipt of matching state funds, which, if available, could be subject to appropriation by the Legislature or approval of a statewide bond measure.

INFORMATION ABOUT ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS INCLUDED IN BALLOT

This measure authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance the types of projects set forth on the Bond Project List set forth below, to be repaid by tax collections for the years that bonds are outstanding. The measure presented to District voters on the Ballot, as set forth above under the heading "INTRODUCTION", includes information regarding the expected average amount of money to be raised annually to pay issued bonds, the estimated rate of the approved tax per $100 of assessed valuation, and the year through which it is approximated the proposed tax will be levied and collected. Each of these estimates and approximations are provided as informational only. Such amounts are estimates only, and are not maximum amounts or limitations on the terms of the bonds or the tax rate or duration supporting repayment of bonds. The approximations and estimates provided depend on numerous variables which are subject to variation and change over the term of the District's overall facilities and bond financing plan, including but not limited to the amount of bonds issued and outstanding at any one time, the interest rates applicable to issued bonds, market conditions at the time of sale of the bonds, when bonds mature, timing of project needs and changes in assessed valuations in the District. As such, while such estimates and approximations have been provided based on information currently available to the District and its current expectations, such estimates and approximations are not limitations and are not binding upon the District.

BOND PROJECT LIST

Scope of Projects. Bond proceeds will be expended on the modernization, renovation, expansion, acquisition, construction/reconstruction, rehabilitation, and/or replacement of school facilities of the Holtville Unified School District, including the furnishing and equipping of such school facilities. This measure authorizes bond projects to be undertaken at all District sites, including current and future sites.

School Facility Project List. The items presented on the following list are the types of projects authorized to be financed with voter-approved bond proceeds. Specific examples included on this list are not intended to limit the broad types of projects described and authorized by this measure. The types of projects authorized are:

Repair or replace outdated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

Make health, safety and security improvements.

Modernize/renovate outdated classrooms, restrooms and school facilities.

Construct a kitchen facility to better serve students.

Upgrade athletic fields and facilities for school and community use, including new lighting.

Construct a new gymnasium/multi-purpose room for school and community use.

Each of the bond projects described in this Bond Project List include the costs of furnishing and equipping such facilities, and all costs which are incidental but directly related to the types of projects described above. Examples of incidental costs include, but are not limited to: costs of design, engineering, architect and other professional services, facilities assessments, inspections, site preparation, utilities, landscaping, construction management and other planning and permitting, legal, accounting and similar costs; independent annual financial and performance audits; a customary construction contingency; demolition and disposal of existing structures; the costs of interim housing and storage during construction including relocation and construction costs incurred relating to interim facilities; rental or construction of storage facilities and other space on an interim basis for materials and other equipment and furnishings displaced during construction; costs of relocating facilities and equipment as needed in connection with the projects; interim classrooms and facilities for students, administrators, and school functions, including modular facilities; federal and state mandated safety upgrades; addressing unforeseen conditions revealed by construction/modernization and other necessary improvements required to comply with existing building codes, including the Field Act; access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; costs of the election; bond issuance costs; and project administration during the duration of such projects, as permitted by law.

The scope and nature of any of the specific projects described above may be altered by the District as required by unforeseen conditions that may arise during the course of design and construction. In the event that a modernization or renovation project is more economical for the District to be undertaken as new construction, this bond measure authorizes land acquisition, relocation and construction and/or reconstruction, and all costs relating thereto, for said reason or, alternatively, based on other considerations deemed in the best interest of the District by the Governing Board. In addition, this measure authorizes the acquisition of real property, including necessary rights of ways or other real property interests, required to expand District facilities, to provide access to school or other District facilities, or to provide additional school or related facilities. In addition, authorized projects include reimbursements for *13521*13-521 paid project costs and paying and/or prepaying interim or previously obtained financing for the types of projects included on the project list, such as bond anticipation notes, and including payment and prepayment of lease payments relating to projects and/or equipment previously financed.

Approval of the District's bond measure does not guarantee that all of the identified projects within this Bond Project List will be funded beyond what can be completed with local funds generated by the bond measure. The District plans to pursue funds from the State of California, if available, to complete certain of the identified facilities projects.

The order in which school facilities projects are listed in the foregoing Bond Project List does not suggest an order of priority. Project priorities will be determined by the Board of Trustees. The District is unable to anticipate all unforeseen circumstances which may prevent some of the projects listed above from being undertaken or completed.

*13523*13-523

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Measure G Tax Rate Statement

APPENDIX C

TAX RATE STATEMENT
REGARDING PROPOSED
$10 MILLION
HOLTVILLE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS

An election will be held in the Holtville Unified School District (the "District") on November 6, 2018, to authorize the sale of up to $10 million in bonds of the District to finance school facilities as described in the measure. If such bonds are authorized and sold, principal and interest on the bonds will be payable only from the proceeds of ad valorem tax levies made upon the taxable property in the District. The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the Elections Code of the State of California. Such information is based upon the best estimates and projections presently available from official sources, upon experience within the District, and other demonstrable factors.

Based upon the foregoing and projections of the District's assessed valuation, the following information is provided:

  1. 1. The best estimate of the average annual tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue over the entire duration of the bond debt service, based on a projection of assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.04 per $100 of assessed valuation (or $40 per $100,000 of assessed value). The final fiscal year in which it is anticipated that the tax will be collected is 2050-51.
  2. 2. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on a projection of assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is $0.04 per $100 of assessed valuation (or $40 per $100,000 of assessed value). It is estimated that such rate would be levied starting in fiscal year 2019-20 and following.
  3. 3. The best estimate of the total debt service, including the principal and interest, that would be required to be repaid if all the bonds are issued and sold is approximately $20.4 million.

Voters should note the estimated tax rate is based on the assessed value (not market value) of taxable property on the County's official tax rolls. In addition, taxpayers eligible for a property tax exemption, such as the homeowner's exemption, will be taxed at a lower effective tax rate than described above. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills and tax advisors to determine their property's assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

The attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon projections and estimates only, which amounts are not maximum amounts and are not binding upon the District. The actual debt service, tax rates and the years in which they will apply may vary from those used to provide the estimates set forth above, due to factors such as variations in the timing of bond sales, the par amount of bonds sold and market interest rates available at the time of each sale, actual assessed valuations over the term of the bonds, and other factors. The date and amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the District based on the need for project funds and other considerations. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on conditions in the bond market at the time of sale. Actual future assessed valuations will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

s/ Celso Ruiz
Superintendent
Holtville Unified School District

*13525*13-525

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