Bundoora Community Services Funding Referendum: Effects on Property Tax Bills and Project Locations

The Bundoora City Council placed the Community Services Funding Referendum on the August 12 ballot, a measure that would raise the local property tax rate by 0.75 percent for every parcel inside city boundaries. Passage would generate dedicated revenue for road resurfacing and construction of community centers at two specified sites. Owners of single-family homes and commercial properties would face the direct increase, while renters could encounter higher lease costs passed through by landlords.

The referendum follows the release of the 2026 fiscal year budget in May, which identified a 12 million dollar gap between projected revenues and planned expenditures on infrastructure. Council documents state that existing general fund allocations cover only routine maintenance, leaving no margin for the capital projects listed in the 2025 capital improvement plan. The vote therefore determines whether those projects move forward or remain unfunded.

Distribution of Costs and Benefits Across Bundoora

Under the measure, an average single-family home assessed at 320000 dollars would incur an additional 180 dollars per year. Properties in the northern and eastern sections of the city would contribute the largest share of new revenue because of higher assessed values, yet the two proposed community centers are sited in the southern and western districts. The road resurfacing list prioritizes segments along the main commercial corridor, which serves commuters from multiple neighborhoods but leaves some residential streets without scheduled work.

The council fiscal impact statement projects that the levy would produce 3.8 million dollars in its first full year. Of that amount, 60 percent is earmarked for the road projects identified in the capital improvement plan, with the remainder divided between construction and five years of operating costs for the community centers. No funds are allocated for programs outside those two categories.

Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters beginning July 20. The city clerk will certify results no later than September 1, after which the tax rate adjustment would take effect on the next property tax billing cycle if the measure passes. Residents seeking further details can review the full fiscal impact statement and project maps on the city website.