ASHEVILLE – Voters will see a new referendum on the November ballot for an $80 million general obligation bond package to fund housing, transportation, public safety and parks and recreation projects citywide.
Asheville City Council held the required public hearings and voted July 23 to adopt the bond categories and referenda — the final step needed to place the bond on the ballot.
Finance Director Tony McDowell reminded council of the considerable capital needs faced by the city, for which about $16 million is allocated annually from the general fund.
“Unfortunately, that amount of money does not allow us to meet all of our needs, and as a result, most of the projects that you all approved during the recent budget process for our (Capital Improvement Program) are primarily maintenance projects,” he said.
“We are looking to add additional capacity to do more, and one way to do that is through the general obligation bond referendum.”
The bond is a multimillion dollar borrowing program that can be used to bankroll significant city projects, like needed facilities, streets and sidewalks, public transportation and affordable housing projects. The city’s most recent GO bond referenda, totaling $74 million, was passed by Asheville voters in 2016. Similarly, Buncombe County voters greenlit a $70 million package in 2022.
If approved Nov. 5, the $80 million GO bond would mean an additional tax levy considered by City Council next year, with staff projecting a 2.6-cent rate increase, or $110 annually for the average residential taxpayer.
State law prohibits city staff or elected officials from advocating for the bond referendum, so the city must pivot to an “informational role,” with advocacy led by outside organizations.
What projects are considered?
While work to identify specific projects is still underway, McDowell detailed examples of projects the community might see. Among these was funding for the Malvern Hills Park pool, which the city announced in February would not open this summer, concluding the 90-year-old pool could no longer be repaired.
McDowell said the parks and recreation bond funding would prioritize projects identified in Phase 1 of the Recreate Asheville 10-year plan, which named aquatic facilities among top priorities.
Affordable Housing examples ($20 million )
- Continue to support the Housing Trust Fund.
- Serve as a mechanism to leverage other public and private resources.
- Contribute to an affordable housing acquisition fund.
- Develop a program to help fund predevelopment activities for smaller or emerging affordable housing developers.
- Support homeownership through repair grants and/or down payment assistance.
Transportation examples ($20 million)
- $10 million in street resurfacing projects.
- $10 million in new sidewalks, pedestrian and ADA improvements (like Patton Avenue, west of Bowen Bridge; Airport Road; GAP plan priorities; design and construction of prioritized greenway/multi-use paths).
Parks and Recreation examples ($20 million)
- $9 million in major center investments (like Linwood Crump Shiloh and Tempie Avery Montford community centers).
- $11 million in major existing park upgrades, aquatic facility improvements and new projects (like Malvern Hills Park pool; Recreation and Azalea parks; Walton Street Park; Recreation Park pool; Murray Hill Park; designated pickleball courts)
Public Safety facilities examples ($20 million)
- $5 million for maintenance and upgrades to existing facilities (like Municipal building maintenance and renovations; Haywood Road police substation renovations; additional improvements to existing fire and police stations).
- $15 million for land acquisition and facility upgrades (like Oakley Civic Complex new construction; planning, design and land acquisition for fire station 7; planning and design for fire station 14).
Public weighs in
Among the GO bond supporters was David Nutter, chairman of Connect Buncombe’s advocacy and partnerships committee, which supports the growth of greenways, trails and other multimodal innovations for the county and city.
“We believe these investments are welcoming for all the people in our community,” Nutter said.
The committee recommended several “principles” for the funding allocations, including making a specific allocation for greenways and bikeways; stating the strategic necessity of leveraged funding from external sources; stressing the importance of connectivity to create a greenway network; and welcoming the need for partnerships with nonprofits, local, regional and state groups, institutions and businesses.
West Asheville residents Sally Grau and Brooke Heaton both spoke in support of the GO bond, and the dedication of funds toward Malvern Hills Park pool.
For her family and neighborhood, Grau said, the pool means “affordability, accessibility, friendship, community, fun, cooling off on a hot day.”
As Heaton noted, “it’s been a hot summer and it’s getting hotter.”
“In Asheville, public spaces like parks and pools, and public programs like summer camps, are a lifeline for working families,” Heaton said. “The summer camp and swim lessons that used to take place at Malvern Hills Pool are no longer taking place there, or have moved elsewhere this summer. The loss is badly felt.”
Next steps
- The City Manager’s Office, CAPE, Finance and Management Services staff and outside organization(s) will coordinate communication and engage the community leading up to November 2024 vote.
- Nov. 5: Referendum vote.
- Dec. 10: City Council adopts resolution certifying and declaring the results of the special bond referendum.
- January/February 2025: Local Government Commission approval of bond orders and city council adoption of budget amendment.
- June 2025: City Council sets a property tax rate that reflects both revaluation and bond passage.
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Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on X, formerly Twitter, at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.