City of Hendersonville to Hold Transportation Bond Referendum on March 3, 2026
City of Hendersonville voters will consider a Transportation General Obligation (GO) Bond referendum during the March 3, 2026, primary election.
If approved, the referendum would authorize the City to issue up to $10 million in General Obligation bonds to fund transportation infrastructure improvements. The bond proceeds would be supplemented by approximately $900,000 in existing transportation funding annually for five years, for a total of $14.5 million dedicated to transportation projects.
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 this type of debt.
Proposed Use of Funds
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 (PCI) 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 (ADA) standards and federal Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG).
- 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 in High Injury Network areas, and recommendations in 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. 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.
Election Information
The Transportation GO Bond referendum will appear on the primary ballot on March 3, 2026. Only registered voters residing within the City of Hendersonville are eligible to vote on the referendum. Visit the Henderson County Board of Elections webpage for voter registration and election information.