Chapel Hill voters are being asked to approve five bond measures totaling $44 million in November. The selling point is voting yes won’t raise property taxes.
The bonds will cover affordable housing ($15M), public facilities ($15M), streets and sidewalks ($7.5M), parks and recreation ($4.5M), open space and greenways ($2M) and will help reduce the backlog of big capital projects needed by the town, like replacements for two aging fire stations.
The bonds will be issued over six years, in 2025, 2027 and 2030, the town said. As Chapel Hill pays off older bonds, new ones from 2024 will be issued. Additional bond votes are expected in a few years when projects like Legion Park, another greenway or a new police station may surface.
The specific projects in each bond category will be decided later and based on town needs, plans and priorities. For example, the rec department is hiring a consultant to develop a new master plan outlining facility and program needs for the next ten years. Without an updated plan, the town’s efforts to obtain state grants were diminished in recent years.
There likely will be public meetings and hearings on issues like sidewalks and street needs before action is taken. Staff recommendations will play a part along with council sentiment and neighborhood support.
Those Vote Yes to Invest yard signs are from the Chamber of Commerce.
Early voting runs Oct. 17-Nov. 2. See story elsewhere in this issue for a schedule. On Election Day (Nov. 5) polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Orange County voters also face a $300M school bond issue on Nov. 5.
J.B.