Voters decide on municipal bond measures in Baltimore and Boulder

Voters in Baltimore and Boulder are participating in municipal elections regarding significant bond measures.

In Baltimore, citizens are deciding on four bond questions, labeled A through D, which would allow the city to borrow up to $280 million over the next two years. The proposed funds are intended for affordable housing ($22 million), schools ($60 million), community and economic development ($50 million), and public infrastructure ($148 million). The debate surrounding these questions follows a recent credit rating downgrade by Moody’s. The ballot language outlines broad categories for potential spending rather than specific projects.

In Boulder, voters rejected Issue 2K, a measure that would have authorized the city to borrow $400 million for new and existing building repairs. The measure would have required a property tax increase to repay the debt, potentially costing residential owners approximately $400 annually per $1 million in property value. While supporters argued the funds were necessary to modernize essential infrastructure like fire stations and 911 dispatch, opponents, including the Boulder Chamber, advocated for a more thorough scrutiny of municipal expenditures before seeking new taxes.