Ballots for the May 17th special election have gone out into the mail about a bond measure that could help improve the City of Bend. One measure; 9-83, is asking voter to approve General Obligations Bond for street improvements in bend. Bend Mayor Jeff Eager says the City Council, who endorses the measure, hopes voters will look at the "big picture": "This bond redirects an infrastructure bond that's been around for years for the downtown area, in the amount of 27 cents per $1000 of assessed value, for infrastructure down to street infrastructure. Anyone who drives around Bend knows our streets are in pretty rough shape. And the idea is: as this bond for downtown is expiring, the City Council wanted to send the voter the question, basically, would you like to have a tax cut or would you like to improve the streets with no net tax increase?" Eager says since tourism is our bread and butter and we live in an area that has projected growth, getting the streets repaired and improved is a priority.