Winston-Salem City Council To Vote On Five Bond Orders For November Ballot

The Winston-Salem City Council will hold a public hearing Monday to discuss several bond proposals for the November ballot. The money would fund continuations of many projects that have already been started.

The proposed 2018 bond package totals $122 million and focuses on five areas: economic development, housing, public safety facilities, parks and recreation, and streets and sidewalks.

Street paving is a major point on the list. There's also proposed neighborhood revitalization in the East Ward and redevelopment along Liberty Street. And assistant city manager Ben Rowe says municipal services would get an upgrade, as well.

“One of the major investments that would be funded through the bond referendum would be a new public safety communication system," Rowe says. "The current radio system is beyond its useful life, and so we are at a point where we need to invest and upgrade. We would be partnering with the county because it is a city-county system. 

The money would also help fund a new fire station on the south end of the city to address some coverage issues there and replace Fire Station No. 3, which is located on Liberty Street.

Rowe says the measures would continue efforts from the 2014 bond referendum that included improvements at several local parks.

“Certainly, with the city growing over time and the demands that are being put on the infrastructure, it's important to address those critical needs. But [there's] also just the recognition that we need to make investments in facilities that improve the quality of life for all residents," he says. "We have seen the impact [of bond money] on projects like the Quarry Park, Winston Lake and Hanes Park. It's part of the drive to not only maintain what we have, but also continue to be the type of community that residents respect and are willing to support.”

If approved by voters in the fall, the bonds would be funded by a 4 cent increase in the city's property tax rate. That means a person who has a home valued at $150,000 could expect to pay around $60 more a year.

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