The Fayetteville City Council is holding a public hearing Monday night on a proposed bond package totaling $97 million for public safety, streets and sidewalks and housing.
The bond package, which would be put before voters on the November ballot, could add 3.5 to 4 cents to the city property tax rate in coming fiscal years, city officials have said.
The City Council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
The proposed bond package includes $60 million for public safety improvements, $25 million for streets, sidewalks and connectivity projects and $12 million for housing.
In other business, council members will consider a resolution calling for a special election to address the way City Council members are elected and consider a proposed ordinance that would regulate homeless encampments. Both items are on the consent agenda.
The public hearing on the authorization of the proposed bonds would entail the final adoption of the bond orders and a resolution calling for a bond referendum on Nov. 8, Election Day.
During a June council agenda briefing, City Manager Doug Hewett called the referendum on the bond packages “a significant item.”
The proposed bonds, if approved by voters, would allow for significant investments in Fayetteville's infrastructure and operations, Hewett has said. The funding could pave the way for the city to pursue key projects in public safety, public infrastructure and housing affordability.
Hewett said progress made across all three areas has the potential to improve the quality of life for residents by addressing needs directly related to safety and security.
According to the city, the $60 million for public safety improvements would be used to acquire, construct and equip various law enforcement and firefighting facilities.
The $25 million for streets, sidewalks and connectivity improvements would be used for street, road, mobility, sidewalk and streetscape improvements, bridges, bicycle lanes, curbs and drains, traffic controls and greenways, the city said.
The $12 million in housing bonds would be used for community development programs “to provide and rehabilitate multifamily and single-family housing inside the corporate limits of the city, principally for the benefit of persons of low- and moderate-income’’ previous council agenda materials have said.
This would include programs to provide loans or other financial assistance to people and private housing providers.
If the bonds are approved by voters, an increase in the property tax rate would be needed to repay the bonds in future budgets.
Consent agenda
A proposal that would restructure the way City Council members are elected and a proposed ordinance to regulate homeless encampments are among the items on Monday’s consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are usually passed without discussion.
The Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative calls for five single-district seats on the council and four members elected at large. The mayor would still be elected at large.
Currently, the mayor is elected citywide and all nine council members are elected by district.
Proponents of the new plan say it will give voters more representation on the City Council because each voter would help choose the mayor, four at-large council members, and a district representative.
Mayor Mitch Colvin and others who oppose the plan say it would dilute representation by increasing the size of the districts.
Vote Yes Fayetteville is an organization that supports the new plan. Tony Chavonne, publisher of CityView TODAY, is one of several former council members who started the Vote Yes initiative.
On Monday, the council will consider a resolution calling for a special election on Nov. 8 to put the issue before city voters.
Also on the consent agenda are proposed changes to a city ordinance to regulate homeless encampments on public property. The matter was discussed at the work session Aug. 1.
Under the proposal, camping would be prohibited when there is overnight shelter available in the city and when it presents a public health and safety risk, regardless of shelter availability.
Michael Futch covers Fayetteville and education for CityView TODAY. He can be reached at mfutch@cityviewnc.com. Have a news tip? Email news@CityViewTODAY.com.
