[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6263922,"mediaKeyId","3099854-5abd678036d994b9b6b33791a7fc7526","parentId",3099854,"title","Huntersville budgets reflect multi‑year sidewalks and road projects; Townley Connector and Huntersville‑Concord work highlighted","audioSeconds",123,"startMs",1055000,"endMs",1178000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099854-5abd678036d994b9b6b33791a7fc7526&start=1055&end=1178","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099854-5abd678036d994b9b6b33791a7fc7526/thumbnail_1055000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263922/Huntersville/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Huntersville-budgets-reflect-multiyear-sidewalks-and-road-projects-Townley-Connector-and-HuntersvilleConcord-work-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263922-65ca69bbb1c95ce739eefa6b4f0146cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448431&Signature=YyvzltR2GCLeZ54KlP4iSVbF4wdqqnjdYKqXo9zIBcLSx6xdYuEQ8OGl7WtEb3ETEShEQ49f7fhPvHown1od4xufc-O~EEbwUvtKdBZESEm-6pycG1KsjZBolGlojAqLtnunG71Gsxg-8tqIyJvF8vIpZZNBXilVsnRaZQnVa0azQrjkTWTJ63TRGA3AB~zLrYd9esZmHzjCeS1pL3~ycD0JcVnZmQnC~TKvYY25o-RDiPkbHnkLcm8Uu-JPgm7eoUhhsRc2B6KOVsk8F5e~yaj0U-8qdZ7xlip31JKjrUITEU4Qh-uQf7hV4JlidztpWniI0Yfce5p3mVBeuxHIHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Huntersville, NC","date","2025-04-23T09:51:29Z","article","Town staff told the board that next year's CIP anticipates increased funding for new sidewalks, multi‑year road improvements and developer‑funded connections. Jackie Huffman summarized the sidewalk program and specific road projects during the pre‑meeting presentation. \"If memory serves, in the last 2, 3 fiscal years, we've budgeted $500,000 for new sidewalks... Next year, there are additional sidewalk projects... we're increasing that $500,000 sidewalk estimate up to 750,000,\" Huffman said, noting the funds are intended for new sidewalks, not for ADA transition repairs to existing sidewalks.

Huffman identified Bradford Glen (also referenced as Bradford) as a driver of the increased sidewalk funding. She then moved to road projects: Gilead Road West requires additional funding (staff cited approximately $841,000 for FY‑26 on the spreadsheet); Stumptown Road Extension is a multi‑year project; Huntersville‑Concord Road at Warfield has $250,000 proposed in FY‑26 with major construction funding expected in FY‑27; Henderson and Beatty's Ford Road shows $600,000 proposed to complete a road improvement that has already received earlier funds.

On the Townley Connector, staff said FY‑26 would include $1.25 million in initiation funding with an anticipated $500,000 developer contribution; staff emphasized the town budgets the total project cost and records developer contributions as offsetting revenue when funds are received. \"Ultimately, until we get that money in hand, we show a $9,000,000 as a total cost,\" one staff member said of the full project estimate, adding that developer contributions typically come in phases.

Why it matters: sidewalks and road projects affect pedestrian safety, connectivity and traffic flow; funding timing and right‑of‑way issues can stretch projects across multiple fiscal years. Staff said many transportation projects depend on county partners and external grants; for greenways, staff noted significant CRTPO grant support for bridges and tunnels and that several greenway projects already have funding but are awaiting county scheduling.

Next steps: staff will include these projects in the manager's recommended budget on May 6 and the board will review bids, funding sources and developer reimbursements as projects proceed. No formal vote occurred at the pre‑meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Board Pre-Meeting 4-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","Town staff told the board that next year's CIP anticipates increased funding for new sidewalks, multi‑year road improvements and developer‑funded connections.","taxTitle","Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina","taxId",4128,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263927,"Huntersville park planned at Fire Station 4 could cost $4.6 million from fund balance; splash pad, covered pickleball cited as key drivers",172,823000,995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099854-5abd678036d994b9b6b33791a7fc7526&start=823&end=995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099854-5abd678036d994b9b6b33791a7fc7526/thumbnail_823000.jpg","/articles/6263927/Huntersville/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Huntersville-park-planned-at-Fire-Station-4-could-cost-46-million-from-fund-balance-splash-pad-covered-pickleball-cited-as-key-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263927-a0c3d471b3a4a495e76a4b92aaa5f230/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448431&Signature=khoQh2DdQGUQq3DnFl9EFt6GlowfuWGAZjrwDR-VEVk-6VWuS~qIBtyyjT6Pef7zv1G6LMth835GG1fWyjuKf-Uem27PFp~oSFKgaLDtCRbxDOUmHrBZuL7Rsc85H843AMojm86vhR90jocDMHbbvweOGgst8BkkSbiMmAEOToBUkjLhIJDW1JWuFSs-ImrH-qQDSqyriarLYVv4N7zeMEACFnOr~9-c-BJruxUmJtJMjiaBIrLJcgd1EL9MVd9KhFmsxOJR9Ged~2sEjxkZ~SrLFUwALMsLafYq0xclwmw~jkw0DZXuDeejL6YFxBkpoXaSk9m8lhEa3cvPMBbpow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff told the board that the master plan for a park at the Fire Station 4 site envisions higher‑cost amenities than previously budgeted and that the FY‑26 draft funding plan currently relies on a proposed $4.6 million contribution from general fund balance. \"That $4,600,000 is proposed to come directly out of fund balance,\" Jackie Huffman said. \"So if you're uncomfortable about the size of that park or building that expensive a park at this pace, now would be an awesome time to throw the plug and say, wait, let's do it in phases.\"

Staff identified two specific cost drivers: a splash pad and covering a pickleball court. MJ, a staff presenter, provided cost estimates: \"I think they're estimating around 250 to 300,000\" for covering the pickleball court, and a later estimate for the splash pad was stated at about $1.1 million to $1.2 million. Huffman and project staff said typical procurement practice would include alternates so the town could remove or defer elements if bids exceed available funds. \"Anytime we do a park project, we usually have alternates,\" MJ said.

Staff also said the town has submitted an application to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for a $500,000 grant; awards are typically announced in late August. The town has already issued parks bonds in the prior bond program; staff said some elements of the park could be funded with those previously authorized bonds, with the remainder proposed from fund balance.

Why it matters: the park is a visible community amenity in an area where residents often rank parks and greenways highly on town surveys; using fund balance for park construction reduces reserves otherwise available for fiscal contingencies. Board members asked about possible grant funding and phasing approaches; staff encouraged the board to decide whether to proceed at the proposed scope or to phase the project.

Project next steps: staff said they will obtain bids; if bids come in high, staff will present alternates for board selection. The PARTF grant decision will be known in late August under the schedule staff described. No formal vote was recorded at the pre‑meeting.

Ending: Staff asked the board for direction if members wished to reduce scope or phase the park; absent additional direction, staff will continue design, submit grants and proceed to procurement with alternates included.","Town staff said a park planned at the site of Fire Station 4 will likely require about $4.6 million from fund balance under current design options; the splash pad and a covered pickleball court were identified as the largest cost drivers and staff said alternates could be used if bids are higher than estimates.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6263932,"Huntersville staff outline $330 million CIP and five-year budget forecast; warn of possible fund‑balance drawdown",2684,156000,2840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099854-5abd678036d994b9b6b33791a7fc7526&start=156&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099854-5abd678036d994b9b6b33791a7fc7526/thumbnail_156000.jpg","/articles/6263932/Huntersville/Mecklenburg-County/North-Carolina/Huntersville-staff-outline-330-million-CIP-and-five-year-budget-forecast-warn-of-possible-fundbalance-drawdown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263932-c40aefecae48c2b7a1dd77de4b74b5bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448431&Signature=f8fRSLPvFI8MPbg07ASNktNEwWT4OJoP2AGW~hcEWobjNvzdg0s66hcQYnZHK0IYlXCt9hZzwPFWTeoIy-LIhHWwsv8~~Q7yTbd5gXJwsvxNt5gb4WkaqYQhEp3iI8HmKp87jonZ-L2gkE82BMeCJGYsAszZ0NAvZ6Il6nQva8-QJphNNMUajiu8r5Mk42kDvdSdi8dQiz9FNSPwYitEGaprZz7ouSmyvwFUEOWIka0ivzTllqZyRpFc8iLvYxgTOy~AFyUFKvMGhZSYFTtPKr1Pqsy8N6vx65nhEkzWMwdTc0S9Yw24xyYjjrJIjUAkmi8HaseRfrK-YPx2DiSD7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackie Huffman, introduced at the meeting as a 30‑year veteran of local government, told the Town of Huntersville board on April 22 that staff will present a five‑year capital improvement program (CIP) and a financial forecast intended as a planning tool rather than a recommended binding plan. \"This afternoon's pre meeting is dedicated to us to our discussion of what I'm gonna call our CIP, capital improvement program,\" Huffman said. \"It is my hope that this is a conversation. I do not have, prepared remarks.\"

Huffman and staff showed a spreadsheet that lists about $111 million in projects funded in prior years that remain active, roughly $46 million of projects listed in future years that have no identified funding source yet, and a combined total across prior, FY‑26 and future columns of about $330 million. Staff said roughly $38 million (about 34 percent of the prior‑funded total) is expected to roll off the list this year as projects complete, including the town hall project.

The nut of the presentation was the town's five‑year financial forecast, which models revenues, operating costs, capital and debt service under a range of assumptions. Huffman and other staff emphasized the forecast is a tool for discussion: under the assumptions shown, general fund revenues were projected at about $73 million and expenditures about $89 million in FY‑26, producing a planned use of roughly $15 million of fund balance. Staff noted audited fund balance at the end of FY‑24 was about $83 million but cautioned much of that is restricted or reserved and not available for discretionary use.

Why it matters: the CIP list and forecast show how project timing, grant awards, and debt issuance affect the town's ability to pay for major projects. Huffman walked the board through funding sources — including previously issued limited obligation bonds (LOBs), grants (for example, CRTPO and other sources), transportation reserves and proposed fund‑balance contributions — and explained the timing of issuing debt and the subsequent appearance of debt‑service payments in future fiscal years. \"When you issue debt, you're gonna need to make debt service payments,\" she said, noting a design‑then‑bid process will determine the final debt amount for projects such as Fire Station No. 5.

Key details and examples: town hall is expected to complete this calendar year and was funded largely with LOBs as a prior year project; staff estimated town hall was about a $30 million project. Staff also flagged projects that will likely remain active for multiple years — for example the Stumptown Road Extension and Gilead Road West — and described a small‑dollar category of capital (police cars, equipment) that will be included in the manager's recommended budget.

On taxes and the forecast, staff showed illustrative scenarios that let the board change the assumed tax rate in the spreadsheet to see long‑range impacts on fund balance. Huffman and other presenters stressed the forecast does not represent a firm recommendation to deplete reserves and encouraged the board to use the Excel model to test alternatives.

Quotes from the meeting that summarize staff guidance include Huffman's direction to the board: \"If you see projects that are listed in future, I can't be more blunt than this, those are projects we think we ought to be thinking about, we ought to be considering, but we have not funded them.\" Manager Anthony (first name only in the record) and other staff repeatedly said the numbers are scenario inputs and that grant awards, construction schedules and actual bids will change outcomes.

The board was told the manager's recommended budget will be released May 6, a budget workshop is planned for May 7, a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 20, and adoption is targeted for the first meeting in June. \"We can have as many budget workshops as it takes to get you comfortable with voting on the budget at that first meeting in June,\" Huffman said.

The presentation included many project‑level details and funding assumptions; board members and staff agreed to continue reviewing the Excel CIP and to adjust project timing or tax assumptions as needed before the manager's recommended budget. The discussion closed with staff urging the board to focus on FY‑26 assumptions and use the CIP spreadsheet for \"what‑if\" scenarios.

Ending: Staff emphasized that the CIP and forecast are working documents and that final budget decisions and any debt issuance will follow later steps in the budget calendar, after the manager's recommended budget, public hearings and further board direction.","Town staff reviewed a five-year capital improvement program that lists roughly $330 million in projects (prior-funded, FY‑26 and future years), described funding sources and timing for major items and presented a five‑year financial forecast showing a potential $15 million planned use of general fund balance in FY‑26 under current assumptions.","actionData","errors"]

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Huntersville budgets reflect multi‑year sidewalks and road projects; Townley Connector and Huntersville‑Concord work highlighted

Huntersville park planned at Fire Station 4 could cost $4.6 million from fund balance; splash pad, covered pickleball cited as key drivers

Huntersville staff outline $330 million CIP and five-year budget forecast; warn of possible fund‑balance drawdown