Public Safety General Obligation Bond

At a glance

Built from the official City Commission minutes.

What: A proposed $450 million general obligation bond for new fire stations and a public safety headquarters, with debt millage not to exceed 0.5935 mills, sponsored by Mayor Higgins and Escalona. It would go to voters at an August 18, 2026 referendum.
Where it stands: Deferred twice. On April 23 it was deferred to May 14 on a 4-0 vote (Gabela absent). On May 14 it was deferred to May 28 by a 4-1 vote on King's motion, seconded by Gabela; Escalona voted no.
Open questions: The cost formula, whether the vote should be in November rather than August, a covenant on proceeds from selling the old police station, and whether special obligation bonds could cover part of the need.

Commission positions

Escalona secured a commitment from City Manager Reyes to publish a public bond-spending dashboard and quarterly reports, and asked that his six pages of questions be made public.
Rosado said less than 2 percent of the 2017 bond went to police and fire and asked for better maintenance budgeting.
Gabela asked for the cost formula and a November vote, wanted a covenant on proceeds from selling the old police station (he estimated $100 million to $150 million), and noted that $127 million of the 2017 bond was never issued.
Pardo asked for a defeasance option if that building is sold, special obligation bonds backed by Freedom Park revenue (about $10 million a year) and other non-ad-valorem revenues, and for $10 million of fire station repairs to be taken out of the bond.
King noted that only two public commenters spoke in favor.
Mayor Higgins argued the measure is about life safety and that the vote only asks the voters.

Fire-Rescue data

Fire-Rescue chief Hevia presented response-time data in support of new stations. Public commenters raised the size of the City's existing debt and the County's 287(g) agreement.

Log

2026-05-14 - City Commission

Item RE.4 deferred to May 28, 4-1 (King moved, Gabela seconded; Escalona no).
Hevia presented response-time data; Escalona, Rosado, Gabela, Pardo and Higgins spoke as summarized above.
Same meeting: items RE.13 and RE.14 set the August 18 ballot order (see Even-Year Elections Charter Amendment).

2026-04-23 - City Commission

RE.11 adopted: a declaration of intent to issue tax-exempt general obligation bonds under the 2017 referendum at 0.5935 mills.
RE.17, the $450 million bond for fire and police facilities, deferred to May 14, 4-0 with Gabela absent.