Proposal 3 | Exclusion of Indebtedness Contracted for Sewage Facilities

[hrmjustin]

The proposed amendment to Article 8, section 5 of the Constitution would extend for ten years, until January 1, 2024, the authority of counties, cities, towns, and villages to exclude from their constitutional debt limits indebtedness contracted for the construction or reconstruction of sewage facilities. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?

The State Constitution places limits on the debts that may be incurred by counties, cities, towns, and villages. Currently, debts incurred between 1962 through the end of this year for the construction or reconstruction of sewage facilities are exempt from constitutional debt limits. The proposal would extend this exemption for another ten years, to include all such debts incurred through the end of 2023.

http://www.nyccfb.info/public/voter-guide/general_2013/ballot_proposals.aspx#Proposal3

[hrmjustin]

1. Reasons to Vote YES

Reasons to Vote YES
»
This exemption would allow cities and towns to maintain high-quality sewage systems without exceeding their constitutional debt limitations.
»
This proposal would allow municipalities to continue an appropriate financial management practice that has been in place for over 50 years.

http://www.nyccfb.info/public/voter-guide/general_2013/ballot_proposals.aspx#Proposal3

[hrmjustin]

2. Reasons to Vote NO

Reasons to Vote NO
»
This proposal would allow municipalities to accumulate excessive debt that could impose crippling obligations on future taxpayers.
»
This exemption sets a bad precedent by allowing municipalities to get around debt limits. If we think the debt limits are too onerous, then we should revise the debt limits.

http://www.nyccfb.info/public/voter-guide/general_2013/ballot_proposals.aspx#Proposal3

[hrmjustin]

3. Voting yes.