T
he United Chamber of Commerce has passed a resolution in support of ALL six of the City Bond
propositions on the November ballot. This endorsement comes after long discussions and work with
the City, in addition to careful consideration of the pocketbooks of business owners and residents.
Our view is that improving our basic infrastructure – streets and certain primary city facilities – is vital to the
economic development of our community. Poor infrastructure sends a bad message to potential investors and
diminishes the value of our businesses and homes.
Our work on these bond elections really began some years ago when we endorsed the 2016 bond ballot
referendum and supported the concept of regular bond elections every two years to get us ahead, particularly
on our street issues, Regular bond elections would create stability and continuity for contractors bidding on
projects, increase competition to lower costs and normalize the work flow for the City’s engineering department.
We have watched as the city has moved forward expeditiously with previously approved bond projects and the
visible acceleration of street maintenance and spot repairs. All but a very few of the previously approved bond
projects will be complete in 2019 weather permitting. These remaining projects were delayed due to external
factors. For example, Morgan has been delayed pending completion of the Spohn Shoreline construction.
A Chamber Committee, formed at the behest of Mayor McComb and led by Alan Wilson, looked closely at street
issues focusing on residential streets. The proposed bonds (Proposition A) reflect part of this committee’s
recommendations.
25
BUSINESS MATTERS | FALL 2018