Cabarrus commissioners put $340M school bond and $60M community college bond before voters

The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously July 21 to place two general obligation bond referenda on the November ballot: a $340 million package for K‑12 school construction and renovation and a $60 million package for Rowan‑Cabarrus Community College. The resolutions calling the referendum and the bond orders were adopted after a public hearing that included students, educators and business leaders.

At the hearing, county staff presented estimated tax impacts to help voters evaluate the measures. Kelly Sifford said, “For the $340,000,000, you're talking about 4.25¢ per $100 of assessed valuation. And for the $60,000,000, you're talking about 0.75 of a cent per assessed valuation.” Commissioners and attendees discussed outreach tools and a county website calculator that allows property owners to enter an address and see the estimated impact on their tax bill.

Speakers at the public hearing urged approval. Nikki Robinson, student government president at Rowan‑Cabarrus Community College, said the investment would give more students a path to credentials and workforce entry. Lisonbee Paladino, president and CEO of the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce, told commissioners the chamber “fully supports placing both bond proposals before Cabarrus County voters” because the projects align with workforce and economic priorities.

The board approved the school bond order, the community college bond order, and a separate resolution calling the referendum; recorded votes in the transcript show the motions carried unanimously.