Site work and new construction of a clubhouse / community center in Payson, Arizona. Completed plans call for the construction of a clubhouse / community center; and for site work for a clubhouse / community center.

https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/payson-council-huddles-with-lawyer-about-bond-sale/article_9baf5f2e-8b4b-11ef-bf0f-bb25e1fd674f.html Payson council huddles with lawyer about bond sale The Payson Town Council met in executive session on Wednesday, Oct. 16 to discuss the latest challenge to its decision to sell an estimated $70 million in bonds for major infrastructure projects. The Goldwater Institute and Payson Realtor Deb Rose on Tuesday filed its official appeal of Gila County Judge Bryan Chambers’ dismissal of its original lawsuit. The appeal claims that the judge erred in dismissing the claim that the council improperly used an emergency clause to authorize the sale of the bonds. As of this writing, the town’s bond consultants had still not sold the bonds. Payson’s contract town attorney Jon Paladini told the Roundup that the executive session on Wednesday would give him a chance to update the council on the lawsuit and the bond sale generally. However, he did not expect the council to take any action following the session. Town Manager Troy Smith has previously said that the town will proceed with the bond sale, despite the threat of an appeal of the dismissal of the lawsuit. The sale of the bonds would lock this council — and future councils — into raising the projected $70 million. Future councils would pay a heavy price for trying to reverse the sale. Moreover, future councils can only spend the money raised on the list of projects included with the bond sale. However, the project list will likely exceed the anticipated $70 million. It includes reviving and expanding the Payson Area Trails System, covering and upgrading the Payson Event Center, major improvements on the Main Street commercial district, improvements to Rumsey Park, improving streets, improvements to police and fire stations and a new combination swim center and community center. The town spent more than a year doing surveys, town halls and seeking the advice of a citizen’s committee to come up with the project list. The town is also currently seeking online comments on big plans to improve Rumsey Park, including more ball fields, drainage improvements, areas for vendors and food sales and improved facilities. The town hopes the park will both serve residents and draw sports tournaments during the summer, with a resulting influx of visitors and sales tax. However, the price tag for the community center and swim center alone could run to $50 million, accounting for most of the money from the bond sale. The town has already raised the sales tax by one cent, which should raise $6 million annually. The plan calls for spending $4.5 million on repaying the bonds over the next 20 or 30 years and $1.5 million to cover the operating costs of the new facilities. However, the council election in July upended town politics after the town has spent two years preparing for the bond sale. Bond supporters Jolynn Schinstock and Barbara Underwood lost their seats to bond skeptics Jim Ferris and Charlie Bell. Bond supporter Mayor Chris Higgins lost his seat to Stephen Otto. Otto, Bell and Ferris have supported some projects on the bond list – but not the new swim center and community center. Instead, they suggested the town should simply refurbish the shuttered Taylor Pool, which is an outdoor pool that operates only during the summer. Some of the projects that would likely generate additional sales tax revenues by drawing more visitors have drawn support from both existing and new council members. That includes partnering with the Forest Service to upgrade the Payson Area Trails System and add trailheads to relieve parking problems in residential neighborhoods. It also includes covering and upgrading the event center, which would then support year-round convention business. Goldwater spokesperson Joe Setyon told the Roundup it will likely take months for the appeals court to decide whether to hear the case. The issue at the trial court level turned on whether the council could declare the bond sale an emergency measure, which required a supermajority 6-1 vote. Most bond sales include an emergency clause, which lets the town more quickly sell the bonds. It also insulates the bond sale against a voter referendum. Judge Chambers said state statutes prevent him from substituting his own definition of an emergency for the elected town council. He also ruled the lawsuit was moot, because the 30 days allowed to file signatures for a referendum had already passed. If the appeals court elects to hear the lawsuit, it could force a big change in the way cities, towns and school districts sell bonds throughout the state – but it may not have any effect on Payson’s bond issue if it’s already sold. --------------------------------- An indoor multiuse pool with six 25-yard swimming lanes including competition level scoreboard, timing system, starting blocks, bleachers, zero depth entry wet play elements or other aquatics appurtenances as budget permits;n Two water slides that terminate into a receiving flume; Two indoor multi-sport courts with spectator seating bleachers; and Administrative function areas such as lobby, ticketing/service & equipment check-out area, small snack bar, showers-lockers/changing rooms, swim area and general staffing offices, lifeguard office/break room, storage rooms in recreation and pool areas, pump/mechanical room, outdoor trail and exercise stations with shade structures and picnic amenities, parking area, walkways, utilities, landscaping and automatic drip irrigation system. The Town of Payson reserves the right to waive any irregularities in any submittal and to reject all submittals and re-advertise or cancel the procurement in its entirety, at its sole discretion. Payson, or its consultants and advisors, will not be responsible for any cost incurred by any firm submitting a SOQ or responding to this notice.