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Fayetteville previews special‑election bond package covering water, streets, trails, parks, animal services and public safety
Summary
Council reviewed an ordinance calling a special election to continue the city’s 1¢ sales tax for a multi-question bond package, including a refunding question and project-specific proposals for water/sewer upgrades, streets, trails, parks, an animal shelter replacement and fire facilities. Council and staff discussed project scope, timing and how some projects leverage federal grants.
The Fayetteville City Council’s agenda session on Oct. 14 included a detailed staff presentation of an ordinance calling a special election on a package of capital-improvement bond questions funded by the city’s existing 1¢ sales-and-use tax.
City staff emphasized the package is a continuation of the current dedicated one-cent tax rather than a new tax. "This is not a new tax," Steven said while walking the council through the ordinance language. The ordinance packet identifies a refunding question with a principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000; staff said that refunding must pass for other bond questions to take effect.
Staff described the water and sewer question as anchored to the Nolan treatment-plant master plan, a two-phase program the consultant estimated would require roughly $126,000,000 in critical infrastructure work to address aging assets and capacity through the next decade. Tim (water/sewer staff) told the council that the question breaks that need into phased pieces; he also noted line-item proposals in the packet, including $10,000,000 earmarked to repair the 36-inch transmission main between Beaver Water District and Fayetteville and $10,000,000 for water‑tank rehabilitation and safety upgrades.
Other questions in the proposed package would fund streets and transportation projects (including intersection improvements, corridor work and ADA/sidewalk connections), an expanded trail and active‑transportation program, park and recreation improvements, a proposed new animal‑services facility, an aquatic and recreation center, and a fire‑facilities and equipment question that would fund an additional station, apparatus and a new training facility. Staff repeatedly said the bond program is designed to be leveraged with federal and regional grants where possible.
Council members asked for clarity on project scoping and timing, how bond proceeds would be phased and whether the city could budget matches for anticipated grants. "Those numbers are preliminary in the packet," Steven said; he added that the ordinance amounts include estimated project fees and bond-issuance costs. Bond counsel Gordon Wilburn and the underwriter (Kevin Faught) were present to answer technical and legal questions about ballot language, issuance timing and certification requirements.
Several council members raised questions about voter outreach and how the city will present large project dollar figures to the public; others asked how bond projects will intersect with the city’s goals for equity and access. Staff said some project lists are drawn from prior bond program priorities while others reflect updated master-plan recommendations.
Next steps: staff will finalize ordinance exhibits and the council will consider the ordinance and ballot questions at the forthcoming business meeting. If the refunding question passes, staff said other authorized questions can be issued over a multi-year series of bond issues to match project delivery timelines.
