Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA)
Signpost article, November 2022 Edition
Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) Report
By Virginia Jordan, ESCA Board of Directors
There are two bond issues on the ballot this election that will affect Sandoval County residents. The first one is a general obligation bond in an amount not exceeding $1,885,000 for the purpose of planning, designing, upgrading, constructing, remodeling, furnishing, equipping, repairing and otherwise improving library facilities. It will also include purchasing books and other library resources for libraries within Sandoval County.
The second bond issue is for the purpose of making additions required by law and other necessary additions to the County Courthouse. It will entail acquisition of property, planning, designing, upgrading, constructing, remodeling, furnishing, equipping, and any other activities needed to complete those additions, in an amount not to exceed $41,000,000.
Library bonds are issued every two years and will result in a small tax increase. The County Courthouse expansion bond will result in a tax increase that will subside in a few years as other bonds are paid.
Sandoval County currently has five district court judges, with another to be added next year and has only three courtrooms available. The impact of not having additional courtrooms may potentially result in the release of criminals who are awaiting trial. This second bond issue will provide additional courtrooms.
An election of five At-Large Directors was held recently by the Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association (ESCA) via email. The successful At-Large candidates, confirmed by 76 voting members, are George Franzen, Wayne Gaede, Virginia Jordan, Jacques Ramey, and Richard Reif. The term for the At-Large Directors is two years.