Ballots are out

ALAMOSA — Responding to public comments shared at the Alamosa city council’s meeting two weeks ago, audience members this week took the city’s side in the debate over the proposed new city hall complex.

Alamosa voters have already received their ballots that include a question asking if residents want to repeal or retain the city ordinance setting up the financing for the new complex. The project would include remodeling the existing city hall building for police and fire departments and constructing a new city hall/library just east of the current facility.

Preston Porter, for example, said he viewed the previously published reports against the city hall complex as a challenge for those who support the city to make their voices heard.

“Here we are and we would like to be heard,” he said.

He addressed the proposed cost of the complex by saying when bids were opened earlier this year, the low bid was less than $6 million, not the $10-million-plus figure being used by opponents as the cost of the project.

In addition, the annual debt payments will be $560,000, not $700,000, Porter added.

He asked citizens to “set aside baggage” and support the police and fire departments, support the library, help build a new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant city hall and support city leaders.

John Villyard also spoke in favor of the new city hall complex during the city council’s meeting this week.

“You have performed all your due process,” he said, “and you made your decision. I elected city council to make decisions.”

He said he supported the city council’s decision regarding the city hall complex.

“It’s time,” he said. “Everybody who’s walked through this facility knows it’s time.”

He said the finances, interest rates and job market are right for this project, and this project would provide construction jobs that are desperately needed.

“Let’s build this complex,” Villyard said. “If a few people are unhappy fine, let’s see what the vote is.”

Dr. Kris Steinberg, a member of the Friends of the Library group, said she felt strongly about moving forward with the new city complex. She said she felt comfortable that taxes would not be increased for city dwellers to pay for the complex.

She added, “I feel comfortable the city will be able to meet its cost obligations.”

She said she was assured that if the city has to address the river levee, “the funds are there.”

In speaking to the use of older buildings for city services, rather than building a new structure, Steinberg said she loved old buildings, but if the school district could not afford to fix them up, how could the city?

Dr. Bill Brinton also spoke on favor of the new municipal complex to include a new library. He said the library is absolutely essential for information, education and fun. He encouraged city dwellers to support the city’s decision.

Dan McCann confirmed his support for the project at this time, given the state of the national economy.

“If you’ve got to build, now’s the time to do it.”