Aurora voters say no to $265 million bond package in early counts

Aurora residents are rejecting a plan to raise local sales taxes by 0.325 cents to fund nearly $265 million in city projects. Early results from Tuesday night show voters turned down three separate bond measures that would have financed new parks, fire stations, and bridge repairs.

The first major point involves the funding for community facilities. Voters opposed Issue 3A by a margin of 59.3 percent to 40.7 percent. That measure would have imposed a 0.129 percent sales tax to borrow nearly $105 million. The money was designated for park renovations, library improvements, and recreation centers. Specific projects included a $15 million new library branch in northeast Aurora and a $36.5 million recreation center in the same area.

The second key issue concerned public safety infrastructure. Issue 3B faced 62.2 percent opposition, with 37.8 percent of voters in favor. This bond would have added a 0.064 percent sales tax to raise more than $52 million. The funds were earmarked for fire station renovations and upgrades to the city's 911 and police facilities. Proposed spending included $2 million for the Aurora911 facility and $13.7 million for a new fire station in the Southshore area.

The third bond, Issue 3C, would have funded transportation improvements. It lost with 56.5 percent of voters against it and 43.5 percent for it. The measure proposed a 0.132 percent sales tax increase to borrow about $107 million. These funds were intended for traffic safety, bridge replacements, and road expansions. Major line items included a $37 million replacement for the Peoria Street bridge over Sand Creek and $34 million to build a four-lane section of Gun Club Road between Quincy Avenue and Aurora Parkway.

Voters also weighed in on a procedural change to the city's election schedule. Ballot Question 3D asked if Aurora should move its regular municipal elections to even-numbered years. Early counts showed 52 percent of voters against the change, while 47.9 percent supported it. This would have aligned local elections with federal and state voting cycles.

If the bonds had passed, they would have marked the first time in more than 30 years that Aurora voters approved funding through bond sales. The city had previously relied on other methods to finance large infrastructure and facility projects. The rejection of these measures means the 65 projects outlined in the package will not move forward under this funding structure.