Solar project on city agenda
June 13, 2010 4:14 PM
Yuma City Hall will be going solar through a system to be installed on the municipal building rooftop using federal stimulus funds. Estimated cost of the project is $479,000.
Awarding of the bid for the project is one of the items on the agenda for this week's Yuma City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza.
Preceding Wednesday's meeting, the council will hold a work session at 5 p.m. Tuesday, also in the council chambers. During the work session, Susan Sternitzke, executive director of the Yuma Visitors Bureau, will discuss the agency's current activities and outline YVB's strategic plan for the future.
A year ago the council approved a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant in the amount of $855,700. The grant funding will be used to support the City Hall photovoltaic system and two other projects, according to the staff report for the agenda item. In addition, production-based incentive rebates will be applied for with Arizona Public Service Co.
Based on the per kilowatt price, the low bidder for the project was Standard Renewable Energy of Phoenix at $479,500 for a 100.8-kw system.
In other action, the council will hold a public hearing on truth in taxation and the final budget for fiscal year 2010-11 that begins July 1. After the hearing, the council is scheduled to adopt the budget and introduce an ordinance that sets the 2010-11 primary property tax levy and mall maintenance district property tax levy.
According to the staff report, the property tax levy is anticipated to raise $9.86 million for the coming fiscal year, an increase of $477,287 or 5.08 percent. The estimate is derived from the assessed valuation as of Feb. 10 provided by the Yuma County Assessor's Office and multiplied by a tax rate of $1.4691 on each $100 of assessed valuation. That compares with the 2009 rate of $1.4706 on each $100 of assessed valuation.
Also, the council will hear the introduction of an ordinance calling for a special city of Yuma election as part of the general election Nov. 2. The special election will ask city voters to continue and modify the use of the 0.2 percent (two-tenths of 1 percent) transaction privilege tax, commonly referred to as a sales tax, that is dedicated to public safety.
City voters in 1994 authorized the tax for the construction of public safety and criminal justice facilities and communication systems. It provided the funding for several projects, including the Municipal Court, police headquarters, fire stations and public safety radio systems.
The tax is scheduled to expire in 2015 at the maturity of the bonds sold to finance the projects.
The Yuma Police Department and Yuma Fire Department are requesting the question be placed before city voters to extend and modify the tax to accommodate financing of future facilities and to purchase new and replacement equipment, such as communication systems, fire engines and police patrol cars.
“Successful early action on the question will allow for uninterrupted planning for new facilities while at the same time allowing the use of the tax proceeds for important public safety equipment items,” the staff report stated.
Awarding of the bid for the project is one of the items on the agenda for this week's Yuma City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at Yuma City Hall, One City Plaza.
Preceding Wednesday's meeting, the council will hold a work session at 5 p.m. Tuesday, also in the council chambers. During the work session, Susan Sternitzke, executive director of the Yuma Visitors Bureau, will discuss the agency's current activities and outline YVB's strategic plan for the future.
A year ago the council approved a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant in the amount of $855,700. The grant funding will be used to support the City Hall photovoltaic system and two other projects, according to the staff report for the agenda item. In addition, production-based incentive rebates will be applied for with Arizona Public Service Co.
Based on the per kilowatt price, the low bidder for the project was Standard Renewable Energy of Phoenix at $479,500 for a 100.8-kw system.
In other action, the council will hold a public hearing on truth in taxation and the final budget for fiscal year 2010-11 that begins July 1. After the hearing, the council is scheduled to adopt the budget and introduce an ordinance that sets the 2010-11 primary property tax levy and mall maintenance district property tax levy.
According to the staff report, the property tax levy is anticipated to raise $9.86 million for the coming fiscal year, an increase of $477,287 or 5.08 percent. The estimate is derived from the assessed valuation as of Feb. 10 provided by the Yuma County Assessor's Office and multiplied by a tax rate of $1.4691 on each $100 of assessed valuation. That compares with the 2009 rate of $1.4706 on each $100 of assessed valuation.
Also, the council will hear the introduction of an ordinance calling for a special city of Yuma election as part of the general election Nov. 2. The special election will ask city voters to continue and modify the use of the 0.2 percent (two-tenths of 1 percent) transaction privilege tax, commonly referred to as a sales tax, that is dedicated to public safety.
City voters in 1994 authorized the tax for the construction of public safety and criminal justice facilities and communication systems. It provided the funding for several projects, including the Municipal Court, police headquarters, fire stations and public safety radio systems.
The tax is scheduled to expire in 2015 at the maturity of the bonds sold to finance the projects.
The Yuma Police Department and Yuma Fire Department are requesting the question be placed before city voters to extend and modify the tax to accommodate financing of future facilities and to purchase new and replacement equipment, such as communication systems, fire engines and police patrol cars.
“Successful early action on the question will allow for uninterrupted planning for new facilities while at the same time allowing the use of the tax proceeds for important public safety equipment items,” the staff report stated.
