There are 10 bonds on the ballot this season, and some are causing students and community members to pause at the polls.
Three in particular deal with improving Bernalillo County's infrastructure: the Roads, Public Facilities Construction, and Storm Sewers and Wastewater Systems bonds.
Freshman Ariel Esquibel said many of the bonds are confusing and difficult to read.
"I think that some students are probably voting blindly," she said. "I am ... sure that there are others who really follow what's going on. I just think the bonds are kind of confusing."
Liz Hamm, spokeswoman for Bernalillo County, said these bonds would not require raising taxes but instead would use tax money from bonds that no longer need funding.
"The asking prices aren't exactly what the county needs," Hamm said. "The amount is based on a formula that won't raise taxes at all, and there is a list of all of the projects that the money would be going to at our Web site, BernCo.gov."
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The Public Facilities Construction Bond will give $2 million at most for constructing or remodeling health care facilities and county buildings. Some county offices aren't in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the bond money would go toward changing that.
The Roads Bond would give at most $7 million to fund the design, construction and repair of roads, bike paths and walkways in Bernalillo County.
The Storm Sewers and Wastewater Systems Bond would provide $3.5 million for the design, construction and repair of storm sewer and wastewater systems.
Junior Gabrielle Martinez said the county knows what improvements are needed and the funding required for them.
"I don't really have a problem with something like the roads," she said. "I mean, I don't like the construction when I am driving, but I do like having better roads."
Martinez said improving storm sewers would benefit the county, as well.
"I know that they have had problems with something like that in the Heights," she said. "I think it's in our best interest to keep on improving as a county."
Hamm said these projects were compiled from a prioritized list created by the bond advocacy committee.
Hamm said the committee, led by chairman John Lewinger, takes community feedback into account when making the list.
"There is a lot of public input in this process," she said. "The object is to try and spread out the money across the area that benefits all or as many residents as possible."



