MATTHEWS, N.C. — Matthews taxpayers could be footing the bill for $35 million in town projects and the decision is in the hands of voters this election.
Matthews residents will vote on whether to approve two bond referendums that aim to fund improvements to Matthews’ parks, downtown area, and roads.
Widening sidewalks, adding more downtown parking, and massive park renovations are a few priorities for the bonds. The transportation bond asks to borrow $21 million and the parks bond would borrow $14 million.
Mayor Pro Tem Ken McCool told WCNC Charlotte the town’s yearly budget can’t cover the costs of these projects – that’s why they’re asking for help from the community.
"We want to make sure we do it the more responsible way where it's minimal tax increase on folks, when it's doing stuff that's necessary to keep the town moving forward,” McCool said.
McCool is in favor of the bonds, as is Mayor John Higdon and several town commissioners. Two town commissioners, Gina Hoover and Mark Tofano oppose them because they said they don't want to put the town in debt.
Hoover and Tofano are worried the bonds are being unfairly promoted by their colleagues due to promotional materials sporting the town's logo.
"It’s like the town is saying, 'vote yes' for these bonds because that logo was paid for by taxpayer funds," Hoover told WCNC Charlotte.
The ‘Moving Matthews forward’ logo was created for the town to distribute information about the bonds. It’s also on ‘vote yes’ magnets that Mayor Higdon paid for and distributed.
Higdon said the logo is public domain and can be downloaded by anyone.
"By state statute, the town is not allowed to advocate one way or the other and they haven’t," Higdon explained. "However, elected officials are certainly allowed to."
He maintains that the town-sponsored materials about the bonds are neutral, and no laws have been broken.
Bond referendums are a common practice. The City of Charlotte has several requests on its ballot this election. However, Charlotte’s requests do not increase taxes for residents; instead, the city is asking for taxpayers’ permission to spend a large sum of existing money on projects.
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Matthews’ bonds would increase residents’ property taxes if approved.
For example, if a Matthews resident has property valued at $360,000, they’d pay $11.08 more a month in property taxes if both bonds are approved and the total $35 million is issued at one time. That totals an extra $133 in property taxes a year.
McCool noted that it's unlikely for all transportation and parks projects to begin at once, so the borrowed money will likely be spaced out over time.
Not everyone is on board with the proposal.
“I just think $35 million is a lot for the taxpayers to come up with in the small town of Matthews," voter Richard Gibbs shared. "Being a taxpayer, I just don’t think it’s a good idea right now.”
Voter Jim Finch thinks it’s a small price to pay to help Matthews flourish.
“Nobody likes to spend money," Finch admitted. "But I think in this day and age, any parks -- anything that would bring us together, I would support that.”
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If the bonds are approved, money could be issued as soon as next year. McCool said taxpayers would pay the debts back over the next 20 years.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.