The Fayetteville City Council on Monday, Sept. 12, is expected to hear a presentation on the education campaign for a three-part bond package that will go before voters in November.

The council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

The $97 million in bond packages include $60 million for public safety, $25 million for public infrastructure and $12 million for housing needs. The bond package will be on the Nov. 8 ballot for Fayetteville voters.

The city plans to use a variety of resources as part of its education campaign, including social media, community and civic engagement, printed materials, videos, radio and traditional media, according to information in the council agenda package.

If the bonds are approved, the city has identified several projects for the funding, including updating the 911 call center and several city fire stations, street and sidewalk improvements, and affordable housing programs.

A maximum of $60 million would be used to support key public safety projects to provide enhanced safety and emergency services to Fayetteville residents.

Those projects would include land acquisition, relocation, and construction of new fire stations, the construction of a logistics center, renovation of existing fire stations and a police call center.

The $25 million for public infrastructure would be used to support critical investments in public infrastructure directly affecting safety, security and livability. These projects could include sidewalk improvements and bike paths and lanes, among others.

If the bonds are approved, the city property tax rate would likely need to increase up to 4 cents, city spokesman Jodi Phelps said Friday. The new property tax rates would not go into effect until fiscal 2023.

If the tax rate went up by 4 cents, the owner of a $200,000 home in the city would pay an additional $80 a year, Phelps said.

The $12 million for housing would support initiatives to make Fayetteville a more desirable place to live for all residents.

“The three referendums are the least expensive way to fund projects, with the lowest interest rate, and could potentially save the city and taxpayers higher financing costs associated with borrowing money to address the needs,” the city says.

Those projects could include a housing trust fund, homeownership programs, new housing initiatives and innovative solutions to meet the critical housing needs of the community.

Also on Monday, the council will consider recommendations for various board and commission appointments. This includes an appointment to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission.

The City Council’s appointments committee on Wednesday recommended that former Councilman Chris Davis be appointed to the PWC.
Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram had written to her fellow council members asking that the appointment be delayed until a new PWC chief executive is hired. Elaina Ball, who had been the CEO and general manager of the public utility for less than two years, announced her resignation on Aug. 26. Her last day on the job was Sept. 2.