Education Bond
Issue B to Go the Polls on November 2nd
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:10-01-04
CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION
OFFICE
SILVER CITY--On November 2, 2004, every voter in Grant County is going to be faced with a choice: whether to support the much needed capital improvements of Western New Mexico University, or sit back idly and watch the facilities and infrastructure of our local institution(s) of higher education crumble due to lack of funding.
It’s time again for citizens to cast their vote on the General Obligation Bond for Education, also known as Bond B. The bond issue is placed on the ballot by the New Mexico State Legislature every two years. The 2004 cycle proposes allocating $94 million for capital improvements to New Mexico Higher Education Institutions and Constitutional Special Schools. WNMU will receive $1,740,000 if voters pass this bond for projects such as the addition of classrooms at Harlan Hall, the natural sciences department, and for infrastructure improvements.
“There are times when you must take a stand and do what’s right, times when you find a cause that’s worth fighting for. That time is now! On November 2nd vote for Education Bond B, because better education means a better tomorrow,” says former New Mexico Governor Garrey Carruthers, honorary statewide chair of the 2004 G.O. Bond for Education Campaign Committee.
As a result of voters passing Bond B in 2002, WNMU received $1.6 million for the renovation of the Phelps Dodge and Martinez-Fall Buildings. The renovation project began in May of this year. The anticipated project completion is January of 2005.
The approximately 6600 square foot addition will feature four new classrooms, one of which is set up as a computer lab; a small conference room, accessible restrooms, stairs, and accessible elevator. The addition will provide enclosed vertical and horizontal connectivity between the two buildings. Silver City-based Tatsch Construction, Inc. is the general contractor for the project. Architect for the project is Jim Redford of Redford
Associates also of Silver City.
What is the cost to tax payers? The general obligation bond is funded by property taxes collected by The State of New Mexico. The cost will equal approximately $.31 per thousand dollars
(more)
-2-
of the taxable value of property – down from $.34 during the 2002 bond cycle. For example, citizens will pay $10.17 per year on property with an assessed value of $100,000. Those with properties assessed at $250,000 will pay only $25.44 per year.
The 2004 G.O. Bond for Education
Campaign Committee is a consortium of representatives from New Mexico
institutions of higher education. The Committee’s primary objective is to
advocate, through a statewide public education campaign, for the passage of
Bond B and continued funding of capital improvements at New Mexico schools.
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