News

City voters to decide $10 million transportation bond

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 4, 2026

Hendersonville city residents will vote up or down on a $10 million general obligation bond for transportation during the March 3 primary election.

If approved, the referendum would authorize the city to borrow up to $10 million to fund transportation infrastructure improvements, including repaving of city-maintained streets and roads in the worst condition. Bond proceeds would be supplemented by roughly $900,000 a year in the city's regular transportation funding for five years, for a total of $14.5 million dedicated to transportation projects, the city said in a news release Tuesday.
General obligation bonds are a financing tool commonly used by North Carolina municipalities to fund capital improvements. Because they are backed by a city’s taxing authority, GO bonds typically carry lower interest rates than many other forms of borrowing. State law requires voter approval before a city may issue bonds. 

Repaving streets

If authorized by voters, bond funding would support transportation improvements in three primary areas: 

• Street repaving: Improving pavement conditions on city-owned streets with lower Pavement Condition Index ratings. The proposed funding would repave approximately 24.84 miles of roadway, or about 37% of City-owned streets, focusing on segments rated “fair” or below. 
• ADA Accessibility Improvements: Repairing or replacing curb ramps to address accessibility barriers and advance compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards and federal Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines. 
• Complete Streets and Connectivity Projects: Implementing pedestrian, bicycle, and intersection safety improvements identified in adopted transportation plans, including sidewalk expansions, multi-use paths and intersection upgrades. 

Projects were identified using objective criteria such as pavement condition scores, proximity to schools and parks, inclusion of high injury areas and recommendations in the city's adopted plans, including the Gen H Comprehensive Plan, Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan and Age-Friendly Action Plan. 

Financial impact 

Although no tax increase is anticipated, North Carolina law requires that bond referendum language include the maximum potential tax impact. If necessary to repay the bonds, the estimated property tax impact could be up to 2 cents per $100 of assessed property value. For a home valued at $250,000, this would equate to a potential monthly increase of approximately $4.16, or $50 a year.

Actual impact would depend on economic conditions, timing of bond issuance and other financial factors. 
If the referendum passes, projects funded through the bond are expected to be initiated and substantially completed within five years.  
If the referendum does not pass, the city would not be authorized to issue the proposed bonds. Transportation projects identified for bond funding would continue to rely on existing revenue sources and may proceed at a slower pace. 

The Transportation GO Bond referendum will appear on the primary ballot on March 3. Only registered voters in the city are eligible to vote on the referendum. Voter registration and election information are available through the Henderson County Board of Elections. Additional information about the proposed GO bond, including proposed projects, is available at www.hvlnc.gov/GObond