I oppose Issue 5A because it limits the bond levy in dollars and leaves the mill rate without a limit. Each year the district levies what the bonds require, up to $200,000, and a drop in assessed values can put a larger share of each property's value toward that payment.
I recommend a no vote on Buffalo School District RE-4J Ballot Issue 5A.
WITHOUT IMPOSING A NEW TAX, SHALL BUFFALO SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-4J DEBT BE INCREASED $1.25 MILLION, WITH A TOTAL REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $1.7 MILLION, AND SHALL DISTRICT TAXES AUTHORIZED IN 2007 BE EXTENDED TO PAY SUCH NEW DEBT INCURRED FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE COSTS OF: · UPGRADING AND ENHANCING SECURITY AND SAFETY FEATURES, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW CAMERA AND KEY FOB ACCESS SYSTEMS; · CONSTRUCTING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAIN ENTRANCES OF THE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL BUILDINGS; AND · IMPROVING THE DISTRICT'S ELEMENTARY PLAYGROUND, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF SAFER FLOORING AND OTHER UPGRADES; AND TO THE EXTENT OF AVAILABLE FUNDS, REFINANCING THE DISTRICT'S EXISTING CAPITAL LEASE, BY THE ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS WHICH SHALL BEAR INTEREST, MATURE, BE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, WITH OR WITHOUT PREMIUM, AND BE ISSUED AT SUCH TIME, AT SUCH PRICE (AT, ABOVE OR BELOW PAR) AND IN SUCH MANNER AND CONTAINING SUCH TERMS CONSISTENT WITH THIS BALLOT ISSUE, AS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY DETERMINE; AND SHALL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES BE LEVIED WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO THE MILL RATE TO GENERATE AMOUNTS, NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 ANNUALLY, SUFFICIENT IN EACH YEAR TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS?
The district could issue the new bonds and extend the property taxes approved in 2007 to repay them.
The district would not receive authority for these bonds or the tax extension to repay them.
Buffalo School District RE-4J runs Merino Elementary School and Merino Junior/Senior High School in Logan County. The Colorado Department of Education counted 306 students in the district, preschool through 12th grade, in October 2025; it counted 309 in 2015-16.
Approval of Issue 5A authorizes the district to increase its debt by $1.25 million through general obligation bonds, with a total repayment cost of up to $1.7 million.
| Limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| New borrowing | $1.25 million |
| Total repayment | $1.7 million |
| Annual bond taxes | $200,000 |
The bonds pay for:
The question opens with the words "without imposing a new tax." A yes vote also extends district taxes authorized in 2007 to pay the new debt.
If 5A passes, the district levies property taxes each year to cover that year's principal, interest and any premium on the bonds. Those collections may not exceed $200,000 a year. The question places no limit on the mill rate, the rate applied to a property's taxable assessed value. Because the cap is set in dollars rather than mills, a smaller total assessed value in the district can mean a higher rate to raise the same payment. The question fixes no date for the last bond payment.
The Buffalo Board of Education decides when the district issues the bonds, the interest they carry, when they mature, whether the district may repay them early with or without an extra payment, and whether they sell for their face value, more than face value or less. Every term must stay within the limits of 5A.
The 2026 election is over. Requests for personalized guides closed on November 3, 2026. The full guide remains available to read.