Fayetteville voters to decide on $375.5 million bond issue
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Fayetteville voters will be asked to consider nine questions on the March 3 ballot geared toward keeping an existing sales tax to afford a range of projects.
💰 How it works: The city has a 1-cent sales tax that's set to stop once the 2019 bond issues are paid off. If voters approve these bond issues, the tax will continue to pay for these projects.
- The first ballot question — whether to approve the refinancing of $40 million in bonds — must pass for any of the other questions to succeed, even if voters approve the other issues.
💧 Threat level: The largest item is $150.5 million for water and wastewater. If this issue fails, "the consequences are predictable and expensive," Mayor Molly Rawn told Axios in a statement.
- The money is for a major rehabilitation at the Noland wastewater treatment plant, plus a broad set of water and sewer investments across the city, including upgrading a water line running along the east side and building or upsizing infrastructure needed because of growth.
- Voting it down "could mean more emergency repairs, higher long-term costs, and tougher decisions about rates to the public almost immediately," Rawn said. "It also puts pressure on our ability to manage growth and meet regulatory requirements."
🥽 The intrigue: Fayetteville residents will get an aquatic and recreation center that would allow for year-round swimming if a $61.9 million bond issue passes to cover construction. The only city-operated pool is at Wilson Park. It's outdoor and only open during the summer.
- If voters approve, the city will move forward "promptly" with planning and design work in phases with community input, Rawn said. City leaders saw the results of a feasibility study for a center in fall 2025.
Other bond questions include:
🚦 $56 million for transportation — The money is for citywide street and mobility improvements including resurfacing, reconstruction and intersection improvements. Exact projects are TBD, but Rawn said improvements to the North Street and Garland Avenue intersection will be included and noted east/west connections are of critical importance.
🌳 $25.5 million for parks — Most of the money will go toward improving and maintaining existing parks (including upgrading amenities, restrooms and fields) and improving safety, accessibility and weather resiliency. A portion will also go toward purchasing land for future parks.
🚒 $18.65 million for the fire department — This is for the construction of a new fire station and upgrades to the city's fire training facility, which is used by firefighters across the region.
🐕 $18.1 million for animal services — The money is for a new animal shelter. Fayetteville has outgrown the existing one, which was built more than 50 years ago, Rawn said.
🚲 $3.8 million for the trail system — The money will support repairs, safety upgrades and accessibility improvements to existing trails and sidewalks plus extensions and missing links.
♻️ $1.05 million for sustainability — The bond is intended to cover the major capital costs for a new recycling drop-off facility and a household hazardous waste facility. The city is working on determining final costs and exact locations. The goal is better service and safer handling of hazardous waste, Rawn said.
🗳️ Election Day is March 3, and early voting starts Tuesday. Find your polling places and see your ballot options.