This year's election includes several local bond decisions
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While the Senate race is getting most of the headlines, Triangle residents will also weigh several bond referendums on their ballots.
Why it matters: Bond referendums give residents a direct chance to determine whether a city or county should borrow large amounts of money to fund projects or infrastructure.
- They often come with tax increases, though, which is why city leaders often like to put them up for a vote.
State of play: Bonds often pass in the Triangle, though voters have shown some signs of being wary of them as property taxes have increased. In 2024, Cary voters rejected two bond proposals for parks and affordable housing.
Here are the bond votes on local ballots this year:
Raleigh: The Raleigh City Council is asking residents to vote on two bonds.
The first bond would be $101.5 million aimed at affordable housing, with money going toward new affordable housing, preserving existing affordable housing and efforts to combat homelessness.
- The second bond would put $101.5 million toward transportation, with money going toward road improvements for bus rapid transit and biking and walking networks.
- Notably, neither bond would raise taxes. The city says it has begun strategically setting money aside for these large capital projects.
Wake County: Wake County residents will be asked to vote on two bonds, one for Wake County Public Schools and the other for Wake Tech.
The bond for public schools is asking for the ability to borrow $680 million to help pay for three new elementary schools, repair HVAC systems at several schools and renovate aging schools like Ligon Magnet Middle and Cary High.
- Local schools have struggled mightily with HVAC systems during heat waves in recent years. Though, critics have complained about the school system deferring maintenance in previous budgets, The News & Observer reported.
- The schools bond would increase Wake County taxes by $4.10 for every $100,000 in property value.
The Wake Tech bond asks for the ability to borrow $149 million to help finish its fire-and-rescue training center and expand programs for skilled trades, automotive and dental hygiene.
- It would also go toward renovating its southern Wake campus.
- The bond would increase Wake County taxes by $0.90 for every $100,000 in property value.