Frequently Asked Questions
We've got answers.
Charlotte is growing. Keep investing. Vote YES for transportation, housing, and neighborhood improvements, without raising your taxes.
A bond is essentially a low-interest loan that a city takes out to pay for major public projects up front. A General Obligation (GO) bond is a financing tool used by local governments to fund major capital projects, similar to how a family uses a mortgage to buy a home. Because the projects (like roads and housing) will serve the community for decades, borrowing allows the city to pay for them over time. By law, voters must approve the city’s authority to issue these bonds.
Charlotte is experiencing tremendous growth. To sustain our high quality of life and business competitiveness, we require continuous, direct investment in our infrastructure. These bonds ensure we keep up with growth by building better roads, creating and preserving affordable housing, and strengthening our neighborhoods.
While the sales tax increase provides critical funding for specific ongoing initiatives and transit operations, General Obligation (GO) bonds are the most cost-effective way to finance major, long-term capital infrastructure projects. These bonds are strictly dedicated to $425 million in capital improvements for roads, sidewalks, housing, and neighborhood safety that cannot be fully funded through the standard operating budget alone.
No. This bond package does not require a new property tax rate increase. The City structures its capital program to fund voter-approved bonds within the existing tax rate. The official estimate is a $0 annual property-tax increase.
Yes. Over the years bonds have been used to build projects throughout Charlotte. Housing bonds have created thousands of new affordable dwellings, and bond funding has built new roads, intersections, and bridges across the city. For more information, visit City Bonds at the City of Charlotte.
The $425 million package is divided into three key areas:
- $280 million for transportation: improves roads to reduce traffic and increase safety, resurfaces Charlotte’s 5,500+ lane miles of streets, and closes critical sidewalk gaps.
- $125 million for housing: preserves and creates affordable housing for households with low and moderate incomes.
- $20 million for neighborhoods: improves sidewalks, drainage, streets, lighting, and public spaces across Charlotte.
Register to vote by the October 9 deadline. You can then cast your vote during early voting from October 15 to October 31, or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Remember to go all the way down your ballot and vote YES on all three bond measures.
For election locations, schedules and logistics, visit the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.
The Vote Yes for Bonds campaign is organized by the Coalition for a Better 2050, with support from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and led by community and neighborhood leaders. Together, we represent a network of community, neighborhood and business organizations dedicated to securing Charlotte’s future. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X at @voteyesforbonds.
Vote yes! for city bonds
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