$226 million bond referendums could be on Nov. 8 ballot, and Charlotte wants your input
Charlotte City Council introduced $226 million in bond referendums Monday night that could appear on the November ballot.
The millions of dollars taxpayers could vote on Nov. 8 includes $146.2 million toward streets improvements, $29.8 million for neighborhood improvements and $50 million for affordable housing.
The council on Monday introduced bond orders for each of the ballot questions and set a public hearing for July 11. After the public hearing, the City Council could vote to add the bond referendums to the November ballot.
These are general obligation bonds, meaning they’re backed by the municipality’s ability to levy taxes on its residents. Tax rate increases are not expected in fiscal year 2023.
The council did not discuss the bond referendum proposal before voting on it Monday.
The last bond package was approved by voters in 2020 and included $197.2 million for transportation, housing and neighborhood improvements.
What would the bonds pay for?
The newly proposed transportation bond would fund street construction, streetscaping, pedestrian infrastructure, utility relocation, bicycle paths, sidewalk construction and repairs, lighting, traffic control and more projects included in the city’s Strategic Mobility Plan.
The proposed neighborhood improvement bond would fund neighborhood plans, infrastructure improvements, open public space, landscaping and more.
The proposed housing bond would pay capital costs of low- and moderate-income housing projects.
Projects approved by the 2020 bonds include a Bryant Farms Road extension, Independence area sidewalk and bike improvements, Monroe Road streetscape and bridge repairs.
The 2020 bonds also established Charlotte’s corridors of opportunity program, which targeted six areas of the city for transportation improvements and economic development strategies. Those corridors are Beatties Ford Road-Rozzelles Ferry Road; Central Avenue-Albemarle Road; Freedom Drive-Wilkinson Boulevard; Interstate 85-West Sugar Creek Road; North Tryon-Graham streets; and West Boulevard.
Specific projects that the bonds would fund were not discussed by council Monday night.
Those who wish to speak during the July public meeting can sign up to speak online or by calling the city clerk’s office at 704-336-2248.
This story was originally published June 28, 2022 at 6:30 AM.
