Jun 26 2016

Large School Bond Measure Seeks Voter Approval at November Election

After assessing Piedmont Unified School District needs and the ability by law to further indebt the residents of Piedmont, the Piedmont School Board on June 22, 2016 voted to place a $66,000,000 bond measure on the November 2016 ballot.  Actual cost of the bonds including interest is estimated at $118,729,017 with a term not to exceed 30 years.

Unlike the recently approved City parcel tax ballot measure, school bonds require 55% by approving voters rather than 66.6% required for the City tax measure.

A survey conducted by the District showed 70% support of a bond measure indicating the bonds will likely be approved by Piedmont voters.

Piedmont Unified School District Measure

(Information provided by the School District)

2016 General Obligation Bond

November 8, 2016

Tax Rate Statement

An election will be held within the boundaries of Piedmont Unified School District (the “School District”) on November 8, 2016 to authorize the sale of up to $66,000,000 in bonds to finance facilities as described in the proposition. If the bonds are approved, the School District expects to sell the bonds in multiple series. Principal and interest on the bonds will be payable from the proceeds of tax levies made upon the taxable property located within the School District. The following information is provided in compliance with Sections 9400-9404 of the California Elections Code.

1. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the first series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 6.0 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2017-18.

2. The best estimate of the tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue during the first fiscal year after the sale of the last series of bonds, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 6.0 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2021-22.

3. The best estimate of the highest tax rate which would be required to be levied to fund this bond issue, based on estimated assessed valuations available at the time of filing of this statement, is 6.0 cents per $100 ($60 per $100,000) of assessed valuation in fiscal year 2021-22.

4. The best estimate of total debt service, including principal and interest, which would be required to be repaid if all the bonds are issued and sold is $118,729,017. This estimate is based on the assumption there will be no bonds issued with a term over 30 years.

Voters should note that the estimated tax rate is based on the ASSESSED VALUE of taxable property on the County of Alameda official tax rolls, not on the property’s market value. Property owners should consult their own property tax bills to determine their property’s assessed value and any applicable tax exemptions.

Attention of all voters is directed to the fact that the foregoing information is based upon the School District’s projections and estimates only, which are not binding upon the School District. The actual tax rates, debt service and the years in which they will apply may vary from those presently estimated, due to variations from these estimates in the timing of bond sales, the amount of bonds sold and market interest rates at the time of each sale, and actual assessed valuations over the term of repayment of the bonds. The dates of sale and the amount of bonds sold at any given time will be determined by the School District based on need for construction funds and other factors. The actual interest rates at which the bonds will be sold will depend on the bond market at the time of each sale. Actual future assessed valuation will depend upon the amount and value of taxable property within the School District as determined by the County Assessor in the annual assessment and the equalization process.

Read the School Board Resolution authorizing the ballot measure and further information  > here.

Read the Bond authorization information > here. 

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