HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 - Meridian School District No. 505 General Obligation Bonds $75,000,000 General Election November 06, 2024Whatcom County
Auditor's Office
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
December 4, 2024
Election Results Receipt
Stacy Henthorn
County Auditor
Amy Grasher
Chief Deputy Auditor
Copies of the following proposition election results from the November 5, 2024 General and Special
Election, have been delivered to the Assessor's and Treasurer's Office:
® Blaine School District 503, Proposition No. 2024-21, General Obligation Bonds -
$70,000,000
® Meridian School District 505, Proposition 2024-20, General Obligation Bonds -
$75,000,000
0 Fire Protection District 1, Proposition 2024-24, General Obligation Bonds - $13,000,000
® Columbia Valley Park and Recreation District, Proposition 2024-23, Establishing Six Year
Regular Property Tax Levy
Receipt Acknowledged:
Assessor's Office:
Rebecca Xczar
Treasurer's Office:
St en Oliver
Date
Date
Statement of Votes Cast by Geography Page: 1 of 1
Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2024, Nov 05, 2024 2024-12-02
All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, MSD Prop 2024-20 General Obligation 14:53:04
Bonds-$75,000,000, All Boxes
Total Ballots Cast: 6815, Reqistered Voters: 167790, Overall Turnout: 4.06%
Choice Votes Vote %
All Precincts
MSD Prop 2024-20 General Obligation Bonds-$75,000,000 (Vote for 1)
6815 ballots (0 over voted ballots. 0 overvotes, 457 undervotes), 8220 registered voters, turnout 82.91%
Approved 3377 53.11 %
Reiected 2981 46.89%
Total 6358 100.00%
Overvotes 0
Undervotes 457
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss
COUNTY OF WHATCOM )
This is to certify that on November 5, 2024, there was held a special election in Meridian School District 505,
Whatcom County, Washington, for the submission of a ballot measure to the voters for their approval or rejection.
The results of the election were duly canvassed by the Whatcom County Canvassing Board on November 26, 2024,
and the results of said canvass are as reads above.
Dated this 41h day of December, 2024, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington.
(q6 CL/,
Y'
Stacy Henthorri,,
County Auditor
FINAL Language
Ballot Title
Meridian School District 505
Proposition 2024-20
General Obligation Bonds - $75,000,000
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District 505 adopted Resolution No. 06-24 authorizing bonds
to fund several capital projects. This proposition authorizes the District to construct and equip a new
middle school facility to replace the existing Meridian Middle School, modernize the Performing Arts
Center, provide a standby generator at Meridian High School and modernize the Varsity Athletic
Stadium and make other capital improvements; (2) issue $75,000,000 of general obligation bonds
maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and (3) levy excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds,
as provided in Resolution #06-24.
Should this proposition be:
Approved
Rejected
Explanatory 5taternent
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District 505 adopted Resolution No. 06-24 approving a
proposition for bonds. This proposition authorizes the District to construct and equip a new middle
school facility to replace the existing Meridian Middle School, modernize the Performing Arts Center,
provide a standby generator at Meridian High School and modernize the Varsity Athletic Stadium and
make other capital improvements to the facilities of the District, to issue $75,000,000 of general
obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually
to repay the bonds, as provided in the Resolution.
District Name:
Whatcom County Auditor's Office
Ballot Measure Coversheet
Meridian School District
District Address: 214 W. Laurel Road, Bellingham, 1
Contact Person 1
James Everett, Superintendent
Name & Title
360-398-7111. ieverett anmeridian.wednet.edu
Phone & email
G M a l l- C
Cynthia Weed _
Name
206-623-7580, cynthia.weed@klgates.com
Phone & email
Resolution
with original signatures or a certified copy
Explanatory Statement
nrenared by vour attornev. not to exceed 100 words
Committee Appointment Forms
separate forms for each committee
Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet
Auditor's Office Use
Received In Person
JUN 2 8 20
Whatcom County Elections
2-02H - 20
Proposition/Initiative Number
4& &zcA - 9614k
Deputy Auditor's Signature
NA 98226
Contact Person 2
Lisa Gilchrist, Director of Public Relations
Name & Title
360-318-2159. lailchrist(cbmeridian.wednet.edu
Phone & email
Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure?
(�) Yes ® No
Missing document(s):
I understand that the submittal deadline date for the missing
documents is and the Auditor's Office will
not begin processing this ballot measure until all documents
have been submitted.
Presenter's Signature
Reviewed 12/12/2023
Election Date: November 5, 2024
Name of Jurisdiction Submitting Measure: Meridian School District No. 505, Whatcom
County, Washington
Contact Name: Cynthia Weed
Daytime Contact Phone Number: 206-623-7580; cell phone: 206-618-6050
Word Count -100
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT - PROPOSITION NO. 1
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District No. 505 adopted Resolution No. 06-
24 approving a proposition for bonds. This proposition authorizes the District to construct and
equip a new middle school facility to replace the existing Meridian Middle School, modernize the
Performing Arts Center, provide a standby generator at Meridian High School and modernize the
Varsity Athletic Stadium and make other capital improvements to the facilities of the District, to
issue $75,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to
collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in the Resolution.
5507818261.1
Received in Person
JUN 2 8 2024
Whatcom County Elections
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
RESOLUTION NO. 06-24
A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Meridian School
District No. 505, Whatcom County, Washington, providing for the
form of the ballot proposition and specifying certain other details
concerning submission to the qualified electors of the district at a
special election to be held therein on November 5, 2024, of a
proposition for the issuance of its general obligation bonds in the
aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000, or so much thereof as
may be issued under the laws governing the indebtedness of school
districts for the purpose of providing funds for the renovation,
upgrade and new construction of school facilities, and authorizing
the Superintendent and/or Director of Business and Finance to
submit a request for eligibility for the Washington State School
District Credit Enhancement Program.
ADOPTED JUNE 26, 2024
PREPARED BY:
K&L GATES LLP
Seattle, Washington
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
RESOLUTION NO. 06-24
TABLE OF CONTENTS*
Page
Recitals..........................................................................................................................................1
Section1.
Findings.................................................................................................................2
Section2.
Capital Improvements...........................................................................................2
Section 3.
Authorization of Bonds.........................................................................................
3
Section4.
Details of Bonds....................................................................................................
4
Section5.
Election.................................................................................................................
4
Section 6.
Notices Relating to Ballot Title............................................................................
5
Section 7.
Request for Eligibility for the Credit Enhancement Program ...............................
6
Section8.
Severability...........................................................................................................
6
Section9.
Effective Date.......................................................................................................
7
* This table of contents and the cover page are not a part of this resolution; they are included
for convenience of the reader only.
507792282 1 -1
RESOLUTION NO. 06-24
A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Meridian School
District No. 505, Whatcom County, Washington, providing for the
form of the ballot proposition and specifying certain other details
concerning submission to the qualified electors of the district at a
special election to be held therein on November 5, 2024, of a
proposition for the issuance of its general obligation bonds in the
aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000, or so much thereof as
may be issued under the laws governing the indebtedness of school
districts for the purpose of providing funds for the renovation,
upgrade and new construction of school facilities, and authorizing
the Superintendent and/or Director of Business and Finance to
submit a request for eligibility for the Washington State School
District Credit Enhancement Program.
WHEREAS, improved facilities are needed in Meridian School District No.505,
Whatcom County, Washington (the "District") in order to provide the students of the District
with safe, adequate and efficient educational facilities; and
WHEREAS, in order to provide all or a part of the funds to enable the District to
undertake its needed capital improvement program, it is deemed necessary and advisable that the
District issue and sell its unlimited tax general obligation bonds to provide funds for such
purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington provide that the
question of whether or not such bonds may be issued and sold for such purposes must be
submitted to the qualified electors of the District for their ratification or rejection; and
WHEREAS, in RCW ch. 39.98 (the "Credit Enhancement Act"), the State Legislature
established a credit enhancement program (the "Program") for voter -approved school district
general obligation bonds; and
WHEREAS, Section 39.98.040 of the Credit Enhancement Act authorizes the state
treasurer to make a determination that a school district is eligible for participation in the Program
if the state treasurer determines that the District is eligible under rules adopted by the state
finance committee; and
WHEREAS, the District may elect to participate in the Program upon an administrative
determination that it is cost-effective;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.505, WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON, as
follows:
Section 1. Findings. This Board of Directors (the "Board") hereby finds and declares
that the best interest of the students and other inhabitants of the District require the District to
carry out the plans hereinafter provided at the time or times and in the order deemed most
necessary and advisable by the Board.
Section 2. Capital Improvements. The District shall make the following capital
improvements (the "Improvements"):
• Construct and equip a new middle school to replace Meridian Middle
School;
• Modernize and upgrade the Performing Arts Center at Meridian High
School, to roof replacement, masonry repair and repurpose the cafeteria to
accommodate a music classroom;
• Provide and install a standby generator at Meridian High School to
provide emergency power to the facilities; and
• Provide modernization and repairs to the Varsity Athletic Stadium at
Meridian High School, to include, replacement of stadium lighting and
poles and repairs to the stadium structure.
507792282.1 -�-
The cost of all necessary planning, architectural, engineering, and other consulting
services, inspection and testing, administrative and relocation expenses, on and off -site utilities,
related improvements and other costs incurred in connection with the making of the foregoing
capital improvements shall be deemed a part of the costs of the Improvements. Such
Improvements shall include all necessary furniture, equipment and appurtenances.
If available funds are sufficient fiom the proceeds of the general obligation bonds herein
authorized in Section 3 for the above purposes (the "Bonds"), the District may use such funds to
acquire sites for facilities of the District or to pay the principal of or interest on the Bonds. In the
alternative, if available funds are sufficient from the proceeds of Bonds authorized for the above
purposes and/or state and local circumstances require, the District may use such funds to acquire,
construct, equip, modernize and make other capital improvements to the facilities of the District,
all as the Board of Directors may determine, after holding a public hearing thereon pursuant to
RCW 28A.530.020.
It is anticipated that the District expects to receive funds in the amount of $16,000,000
from the State of Washington (the "State") pursuant to Chapter 28A.525 RCW. The District
intends to apply such funds to the completion of the Improvements described in Section 2 and if
not required for those purposes, then to pay principal of and/or interest on the Bonds. Such
funds may also be used to make other capital improvements to the facilities of the District, but
only after holding a public hearing thereon pursuant to RCW 28A.530.020.
Section 3. Authorization of Bonds. For the purpose of providing all or a part of the
funds necessary to pay the cost of the Improvements, together with incidental costs and costs
related to the sale and issuance of the Bonds, the District shall issue and sell its Bonds which
shall be unlimited tax general obligation bonds in the principal amount of not to exceed
507792282.1 -3-
$75,000,000. The balance of the cost of the Improvements shall be paid with Rinds received
from the State or out of any money which the District now has or may later have on hand which
are legally available for such purposes. None of said Bond proceeds shall be used for the
replacement of equipment or for any other than a capital purpose. The Bonds shall be issued in
an amount not exceeding the amount approved by the qualified electors of the District as
required by the Constitution and laws of the State or exceeding the amount permitted by the
Constitution and laws of the State.
Section 4. Details of Bonds. The Bonds provided for in Section 3 hereof shall be
sold in such amounts and at such time or times as deemed necessary and advisable by this Board
and as permitted by law, shall bear interest at a rate or rates not to exceed the maximum rate
permitted by law at the time the bonds are sold, and shall mature in such amounts and at such
times within a maximum term of twenty (20) years from date of issue, but may mature at an
earlier date or dates, as authorized by this Board and as provided by law. The Bonds shall be
general obligations of the District and, unless paid from other sources, both principal thereof and
interest thereon (including original issue discount) shall be payable out of annual tax levies to be
made upon all the taxable property within the District without limitation as to rate or amount and
in excess of any constitutional or statutory tax limitations. The exact date, form, terms and
maturities of the Bonds shall be as hereafter fixed by resolution of the Board. After voter
approval of the Bond proposition described in Section 5 and in anticipation of the issuance of the
Bonds, the District may issue short term obligations as authorized and provided by Chapter 39.50
RCW.
Section 5. Election. It is hereby found and declared that the best interests of the
District requires the submission to the qualified electors of the District of the proposition of
5077922821 -4
whether the District shall issue the Bonds at a special election to be held on November 5, 2024.
The Whatcom County Auditor as ex officio supervisor of elections is hereby requested also to
call and conduct the special election to be held within the District and to submit to the qualified
electors of the District the proposition set forth below. The Secretary of the Board is hereby
authorized and directed to certify the proposition to said officials in the following form:
PROPOSITION NO. 1
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - $75,000,000
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District No.505
adopted Resolution No. 06-24 authorizing bonds to fund several
capital projects. This proposition authorizes the District to
construct and equip a new middle school facility to replace the
existing Meridian Middle School, modernize the Performing Arts
Center, provide a standby generator at Meridian High School and
modernize the Varsity Athletic Stadium and make other capital
improvements; (2) issue $75,000,000 of general obligation bonds
maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and (3) levy excess
property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in
Resolution #06-24. Should this proposition be:
APPROVED.......................................................................................... ❑
REJECTED............................................................................................ ❑
The Secretary of the Board of Directors is hereby authorized to deliver a certified copy of
this resolution to the Whatcom County Auditor.
Section 6. Notices relating to Ballot Title. For purposes of receiving notice of the
exact language of the ballot title required by RCW 29A.36.080, the Board hereby designates the
(a) Superintendent (Dr. James Everett), telephone: 360.398.7111; email:
jeverett@meridian.wednet.edu, and (b) bond counsel, K&L Gates LLP (Cynthia Weed),
telephone: 206.618.6050 (cell); email: cynthia.weed@klgates.com, as the individuals to whom
507792282.1 -5-
the Whatcom County Auditor shall provide such notice. The Secretary of the Board is
authorized to approve changes to the ballot title, if any, deemed necessary by the Whatcom
County Auditor or the Office of the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney.
Section 7. Reauest for Eli6bility for the Credit Enhancement Proarain. In
preparation for the issuance and sale of the Bonds after approval by the voters, the Board hereby
requests that the State Treasurer issue a certificate of eligibility in favor of the District for
participation by the District in the Program with respect to the Bonds. The Superintendent
and/or Director of Business and Finance is hereby authorized (following voter approval) to
submit such applications, resolutions and certifications as shall be required by the State Treasurer
in reviewing the District's request for participation.
Section 8. Severability. In the event that any provision of this resolution shall be
held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of this
resolution or the Bonds, but they shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid provision had
not been contained herein; provided, however, that any provision which shall for any reason be
held by reason of its extent to be invalid shall be deemed to be in effect to the extent permitted
by law.
507792282.1
Section 9. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
its adoption.
ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of Meridian School District No. 505, Whatcom
County, Washington, at a regular meeting held this 26th day of June, 2024.
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DIST T NO. 505,
WHATCOM COU� -AKBINGTON
Directors
ATTEST:
507792282.1
CERTIFICATE
I, the undersigned, Secretary of the Board of Directors of Meridian School District
No. 505, Whatcom County, Washington (the "District"), and keeper of the records of the Board
of Directors (the `Board"), DO HEREBY CERTIFY:
That the attached resolution is a true and correct copy of Resolution No. 06-24 of
the Board (herein called the "Resolution"), duly adopted at a regular meeting thereof held on the
26th day of June, 2024.
2. That said meeting was duly convened and held in all respects in accordance with
law, and to the extent required by law, due and proper notice of such meeting was given; that a
legal quorum was present throughout the meeting and a legally sufficient number of members of
the Board voted in the proper manner for the adoption of said Resolution; that all other
requirements and proceedings incident to the proper adoption of said Resolution have been duly
fulfilled, carried out and otherwise observed; and that I am authorized to execute this certificate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of June, 2024.
Secret6,% of tire)Board of Directors
507792252.1
OFFICIAL BALLOT
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
November 5, 2024
INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: To vote in favor of the following proposition, place a
cross (X) in the square opposite the word "APPROVED"; to vote against the following
Iroposition, place a cross (X) in the square opposite the word "REJECTED."
PROPOSITION NO. 1
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - $75,000,000
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District No. 505
adopted Resolution No. 06-24 authorizing bonds to fund several
capital projects. This proposition authorizes the District to
construct and equip a new middle school facility to replace the
existing Meridian Middle School, modernize the Performing Arts
Center, provide a standby generator at Meridian High School and
modernize the Varsity Athletic Stadium and make other capital
improvements; (2) issue $75,000,000 of general obligation bonds
maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and (3) levy excess
property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in
Resolution #06-24. Should this proposition be:
APPROVED.......................................................................................... ❑
REJECTED............................................................................................ ❑
507792262 1
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
November 5, 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, a special election
will be held in the above -named school district for the submission to the qualified electors of said
School district of the following proposition:
PROPOSITION NO. 1
MERIDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 505
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - $75,000,000
The Board of Directors of Meridian School District No. 505
adopted Resolution No. 06-24 authorizing bonds to fund several
capital projects. This proposition authorizes the District to
construct and equip a new middle school facility to replace the
existing Meridian Middle School, modernize the Performing Arts
Center, provide a standby generator at Meridian High School and
modernize the Varsity Athletic Stadium and make other capital
improvements; (2) issue $75,000,000 of general obligation bonds
maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and (3) levy excess
property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in
Resolution #06-24. Should this proposition be:
APPROVED.......................................................................................... ❑
REJECTED............................................................................................ ❑
Whatcom County Auditor
507792282.1 P