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

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.