by Courtney Price

HUNTERSVILLE – When Huntersville residents step up to the polls this year, they’ll find three funding questions waiting for them.

The town has proposed taking out three general obligation bonds: one for streets, one for parks and recreation and one for public improvement.

General obligation bonds are similar to a home mortgage, and if voters approve them, the town will repay the loan amount with interest.

The ballot does not address specific tax increases that could accompany acquiring the bonds. A fact sheet posted on the town’s website states the town expects no more than a 5-cent tax increase to fund the bonds. For a home valued at $200,000, that would amount to about a $100 increase.

The town laid out a general plan for how the money will be spent.

Street Bonds

Residents will vote to approve or reject spending $17,850,000 for construction of or improvements to streets. The money can be spent on new road constructions, resurfacing and any related improvements such as sidewalks, bridges, curbs, traffic lights and landscaping.

Public Improvement Bonds

The town has proposed a $7,150,000 bond to pay for public improvements within the town. The bond could include public safety buildings, as well as upgrades to landscaping and pedestrian walkways. In particular, the town expects a need for an additional fire station, firefighters and equipment.

Parks and Recreation Bonds

Voters can also authorize $5,000,000 to pay for construction and improvements through the parks and recreation department. Proposed projects under this bond include a new town recreation center with courts for basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports, improvements to the Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatics center to add a new fitness and exercise room and a renovated site for the farmers market.

If the bonds are approved, the town expects to begin implementing the improvements within five years.