Bend councilors OK $120 million in bonds

One bond issue for N. sewer; other for Empire, Murphy projects, fire engines

(Update: Councilors approve bonds)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend city councilors unanimously approved issuing two big-ticket bonds at Wednesday night’s meeting. One will mostly fund the Empire and Murphy road extensions and improvements, while the other funds the North Interceptor sewer line project. 

The sewer line bonds total about $50 million, while the transportation and other spending totals about $70 million, including city energy-efficiency projects and two new fire engines to replace ones received 25 years ago.

The numbers may be big, but they line up with the city’s budget plan.

“They are really big numbers, but these project costs, the financing for these projects has all been factored into our biennial budgeting process,” Sharon Wojda, the city's chief financial officer, said Wednesday. “It’s being considered and reflected in our long-term financial plans.”

Improvements to Empire Boulevard will look to add more access and safety to the street. The Empire project is considered a priority project by the city. Work is expected to continue through July.

Next spring, the city will continue work on extending Murphy Road east to Southeast 15th Street.

That bond measure also includes $10 million to pay off previous city bonds from 2010.

The North Interceptor sewer line is adding capacity on Bend's north end to handle expanding business and housing developments on the north side of Bend. Upgrades to the sewer also will allow the city to decommission smaller pump stations, reducing future operational costs.

Phase 1 of the sewer construction began thus summer and will finish next fall. Phase 2 is set to begin next spring and finish in about two years.