The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors has approved the $204 million bond issuance by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to fund the proposed project in Prescott and Daytona Beach on campus on Wednesday, April 2nd, 3-1 votes.
The bond requested that Yavapai County approval be issued, but does not represent the county or state financial obligations as ERAU is responsible for repayment of the bond.
Supervisor Nikki Check [D-District 3] He voted against approval after trying to file a bond issue until April 16th. She received no support for motions from fellow supervisors.
“Our responsibility in this process is to ensure two things,” Check then said of her vote. “One thing is that all laws are filled with processes preparing these types of bonds. I was not sure because of the rush process that I’m going through on the back end of things. Secondly, this was not harmful to our county and our community by the end of our county and our community.
Before the board vote, many Clarkdale residents aired complaints about Elau using Cottonwood Airport for flight training. ERAU’s registration on the Prescott campus has increased by 500 from a total of 2,726 to 3,229 students since 2018.
Supervisor Chris Kunyo [R-District 4] The board said it should not “comming” the noise lawsuit and bond issues among Clarkdale residents.
“If we are trying to get the tax exemption that we are contributing as taxpayers, we need to be responsible for being a good neighbor for that exemption,” said Munger Susan Guthrie, the town of Clarkdale.
“I respect exactly what you’re saying about the conspiracy in question, but this is our only opportunity. This is it. What leverage did you take away if you approved this today? ERAU lawyer Ken Artin said the school wanted to approve and issue bonds in April prior to any potential Congressional Budget Act changes.
“if [Congress wants] To approve tax cuts… they have to figure out how to pay it,” Artin said. [bond] Exemption. I have many non-profit universities trying to achieve their funding in April to avoid risk of something bad in Congress in May. ”
Although ERAU representatives were unable to determine how much bond funds were consumed on each campus, the Prescott Project includes a 40,000-square-foot student housing facility with 300 beds. A 44,000-square-foot two-storey student union. Flight line facilities renovation. Add 13,000 square feet to the primary simulator facility. A new two-storey 20,000-square-foot flight training facility with a simulator. A new one-storey 11,000-square-foot wind tunnel. Additional campus improvements.
“The Prescott Campus Project List is much larger than the Daytona Beach Campus, and it is likely that the planned spending on the Prescott Campus exceeds the full amount of bond issuance,” said Feb. 26 of Yabapai County’s Industrial Development Department.
“Choosing not to approve Resolution No. 2149 would prevent proposed funding aimed at issuing revenues and withholding authorization for refunds on bonds, thereby supporting improvements. [ERAU’s] The Board of Supervisors agenda stated that “the decision could hinder the university’s ability to promote planned enhancements.”
Elau officials said at the meeting that their wish was to “be a good neighbor.”
“I support this, but I remember this conversation and I really want to have a message, an email sent to my office. [R-District 5] I said.
“Even if other supervisors didn’t vote for my way, there was actually a level of consensus between us. [ERAU] Check said. [ERAU] Seriously and to some degree promote those discussions. ”
“I think there’s a solution to this problem nearby,” Czech then said.
Supervisor L. Brooks Compton [R-District 1]Mallory and Kuknyo voted for this measure, with Check opposed.
With James Gregory’s resignation in February, District 2 seats are currently vacant.
