/ Modified jul 31, 2013 2:44 p.m.

Pima County Asks for Resident Input on Borrowing Plan

Bond issue intended for 2014 election ballot; 140 proposals must be culled to get figure to $600M or less.

Pima County officials are asking residents to weigh in on projects for which the county should borrow money.

The county amassed a long list of proposals for a planned 2014 ballot measure, and wants to narrow down the list, an official said. It created an online survey to allow the public to offer priorities.

"At this point, we have (more than) 140 projects proposed, totaling $1.2-$1.3-billion," said Nicole Fyffe, assistant to the county administrator. "We think we can handle about $600 million."

If the county Board of Supervisors approves, the borrowing proposals would go on the November 2014 election ballot as a bond issue package.

The long list of proposed projects has been broken down into eight categories: flood control improvements; transportation; job growth, education and workforce training facilities; public health facilities; parks and recreation facilities; neighborhood reinvestment and affordable housing; historic, cultural and natural area conservation; and libraries and community facilities.

The proposals include $3 million to restore the east tower of Mission San Xavier del Bac, $6.5 million for a new horse-racing facility at the county fairgrounds, $5 million for a county small-business incubator, and $90 million for a truck-traffic short-cut from Interstate 19 at Sahuarita to Interstate 10 at the UA's Science and Technology Park on Rita Road.

Under state law, the county is allowed to borrow up to $1.2 billion. Its current bond indebtedness is $457 million.

To participate in the county bond survey, go to www.pima.gov/bondsurvey.

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