News

City to pitch $10 million road bond issue to voters

The Hendersonville City Council is expected to start the process this week to put a $10 million road bond issue before city voters next March. [CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE]

By Bill Moss, Published: September 30, 2025

The city of Hendersonville is poised to send a $10 million road bond issue to taxpayers next March in hopes of expediting city street repaving, making handicapped curb ramps ADA-compliant and improving pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The city council last week heard details of the proposed borrowing plan and received a timeline for formal action it would need to take starting this week. On Thursday the council will take up a notice of intent to seek the approval of the state Local Government Commission to issue the general obligation transportation bond.

In his presentation to the council, Deputy City Manager Brian Pahle said a $10 million investment would allow the city to improve city-maintained streets, fix about a quarter of the curb ramps (1,678 of them, or 98 percent, are noncompliant, a survey showed) and make safety improvements.

Pahle told council members that part of the spending would be dictated by the “unfunded mandate” of PROWAG — the federal Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines, which ensure that crosswalks, curb ramps, sidewalks and bus stops are handicapped accessible.

Pahle traced the timeline leading up to the bond proposal to a city council retreat in March 2023 that became known for the elected leaders’ “fix the damn streets” declaration. Council members reviewed funding options last February and voted in June to include the potential bond issue as part of the 2025-26 city budget.

If  voters approve road bonds during the primary election next March 3, the city would embark on a five-year $14.5 million transportation improvement program funded by the $10 million loan and $4.5 million in city revenue and state Powell Bill funds. The initiative would allocate $8.3 million to repaving, $2.45 million to fix curb ramps and $3.75 million to “Complete Streets” projects improving bike-ped safety.

Recent city bond votes brought mixed results. City voters approved a $2.1 million sidewalk bond issue in February 2004. In 2013, voters soundly defeated a bond referendum to fund improvements at Berkeley Mills Park.

State law limits the city’s ability to influence public opinion on a bond issue. Local government bodies are barred from spending tax dollars to explicitly endorse a yes or no vote. They may host public meetings to explain the bond proposal, produce informational materials or videos outlining the proposed projects and estimated cost and create a website with project details and FAQs.

Next steps after the expected council action Thursday night include a formal bond order on Nov. 6, a public hearing on Dec. 4 and LGC approval.