Fairfield Voters to Decide Issuance of Certificates of Obligation to Rebuild Streets and Build New Police Station / City Hall
Once again, Fairfield voters have submitted a petition to require voter approval before allowing City Council to issue Certificates of Obligation to fund proposed projects for refurbishing city streets and to build a City Hall / Police Station.
According to City Secretary Misty Richardson, signatures were validated, representing 5% of registered voters residing inside Fairfield city limits.
A total of 112 signatures, from approximately 80 households, were turned in for the Petition to Require Voter Approval:
“prior to issuing notice of intention to issue combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation principal amount not to exceed $6,000,000 for new city hall and repair city streets as printed in Freestone County Times under public notices February 9, 2022.”
Last month, Fairfield City Council voted 3 to 1 to post the Notice of Intention to Issue Certificates of Obligation. They were expected to authorize the issuance of those certificates during a Council meeting this week.
That meeting has been canceled.
Fairfield has been without a permanent city hall since vacating the offices on Mount Street several years ago due to air quality and structural issues.
The Police Department has compliance issues in their building, and City Hall is located across town in a rented facility.
The current proposed project earmarks up to $3 million for a City Hall / Police Station to be built on City property on Mount Street, as well as $3 million for totally rebuilding 12 streets inside Fairfield city limits.
Council members had hoped to move forward with the project while interest rates were still relatively low.
A special election will be called by City Council, and is expected to be scheduled to coincide with the November 8, 2022 General Election.
