VOTE411 Voter Guide

Ballot Language:Shall the City of Temple Terrace issue General Obligation Bonds, in one or more series, not exceeding $50,000,000, bearing interest not exceeding the maximum legal rate, maturing not more than 30 years from the issuance date of each series, pledging the City's full faith, credit and unlimited ad valorem taxing power to finance the construction and equipping of a public safety complex including a new police station, a new fire station, and related facilities?Synopsis:The purpose of this referendum is to approve issuing bonds to finance up to $50 million for the development of a modern public safety complex to include a new police station and a new fire station. These projects are intended to address long-standing facility limitations, reduce emergency response time gaps, maintain accreditation standards, and prepare for continued population growth.What is a General Obligation Bond and how does it work?A General Obligation (GO) Bond is a financing mechanism used by cities and other municipalities to borrow an upfront lump sum to fund specific public improvements. Unlike revenue bonds backed by utility fees, GO bonds are backed by the City's "full faith and credit." This means property taxes can be used to repay the debt. This makes them lower risk to the investors who lend the money, which results in lower interest rates. For the proposed $50 million General Obligation bond, the estimated interest rate is 4.50% over 30 years, issued in multiple bond series from 2027 to 2030.The estimated cost to property owners is approximately $185 annually for assessed property valued of $200,000. Approximately 69% of Temple Terrace homeowners own property with a taxable value of $200,000 or less. This repayment amount is projected to decrease as new development is introduced to the City and the principal is repaid annually, reducing the outstanding balance and subsequent interest payments.There are no other active GO Bonds for the City of Temple Terrace.Background InformationThe City of Temple Terrace states that existing public safety facilities were designed for prior staffing levels, equipment needs, and service demands. As operations have evolved, space limitations, building age, and infrastructure constraints have presented operational and maintenance considerations. The City acquired a five‑acre site in 2024 for $1.6 million to build a new police station in a joint Public Safety Complex that could include an additional fire station to improve emergency coverage citywide. The police department has grown 108% since it moved into its current facility. The City population has grown by 154%. The City has identified several facility-related considerations affecting current police operations:No secure indoor intake area. Individuals must remain in patrol vehicles in the City Hall parking lot during processingEvidence storage and processing areas have been outgrownUnable to process impounded vehicles in an enclosed environmentFormer training room converted into office space due to overcrowdingPolice operations share a building with City Hall, creating operational and security limitationsModern law enforcement standards require secure, controlled environments for processing, evidence handling, and investigative operations. Continued facility constraints could impact long-term compliance with evolving accreditation standards.The City of Temple Terrace currently has two fire stations. The City has more than doubled in population since the last station opened in 1986, including annexed areas to the southeast. Call volume has increased by 53% in ten years. The Department’s goal is to have first arriving unit within 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Current response time in the proposed Fire Station 3 area is 8 minutes and 29 seconds. Extended travel times in the eastern area also affect the rest of the City since units are traveling farther or tied up on scene and are unavailable for simultaneous calls. Without a third fire station, response time is estimated to reach 10–12 minutes by 2035. The additional fire station is proposed in order to reduce response times, improve survival outcomes, and protect property and lives across Temple Terrace.More information is available from the City of Temple Terrace here: https://templeterrace.gov/884/General-Obligation-Bond-2026