Measure L: Bond Measure

In plain language

Measure L would let Needles borrow up to $11,200,000 by selling general obligation bonds. The city would repay them with a property tax. The money would pay for street repair and repaving, pothole repair, sidewalks, parks and recreation, public facilities, community safety, and downtown Main Street. Bond money could not be used for city worker pay or day-to-day costs. There would be yearly reports and independent audits. A YES vote lets the city issue the bonds. A NO vote means the city could not issue them. The measure needs a two-thirds vote to pass.

Fiscal impact

Up to $11,200,000 in bonds. The city estimates a tax rate of $60 per $100,000 of assessed value, raising on average $739,971 a year while the bonds are outstanding.

Impartial analysis

CITY ATTORNEY'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE _____ The City Council of Needles has voted to place a Measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot to seek voter approval to issue general obligation bonds up to $11,200,000. The funds raised through these bonds would finance the cost of acquiring, constructing, improving, renovating, and equipping municipal improvements and public infrastructure within the City, including but not limited to, improvements to roads and transportation infrastructure, street rehabilitation, street repaving, and pothole repair, public facilities, parks and recreational facilities, community safety improvements, and the revitalization of Downtown Main Street. The maximum interest rate on these bonds will not exceed the legal limit. The Measure also sets forth a series of accountability measures to ensure that the funds are used exclusively for the intended purposes. These include: 1. Annual Reporting and Audits: The City Treasurer is required to file an annual report with the City Council detailing the amount of funds collected and spent, as well as the status of the projects. Furthermore, the city will conduct annual independent financial and performance audits to ensure compliance with the Measure's provisions. These audits will be made publicly accessible and submitted to the California State Auditor for review. 2. Use of Funds: The Measure explicitly prohibits the use of bond funds for city employee salaries or general operating expenses. To pass, the Measure must receive approval from at least two-thirds of the voters. Measure ____ would allow an increase in the property tax rate to pay debt service on the bonds. The City estimates that the tax rate required to pay for the bonds will be $60 per $100,000 of assessed value of taxable property. A "yes" vote would authorize the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds in the amount up to $11,200,000 to fund street, roadway, and pothole repair improvements, sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements, and upgrade park and recreational facilities including restrooms, irrigation, landscaping, and parking at City parks and recreational facilities. A "no" vote would not authorize the issuance and sale of the bonds. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure _____. If you desire a copy of the Measure, please call the City Clerk's office at (760 ) 326-2113 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you, or you may obtain a copy by visiting the City's website at www.cityofneedles.com Lena D. Wade Deputy City Attorney City of Needles

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.