2020 Bond Referenda

On November 3, 2020 Arlington residents will consider five local bond referenda totaling $145 million. The projects included in these bond questions are components of the County’s One-Year FY 2021 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) adopted in July 2020, and the Arlington Public Schools’ FY 2021 CIP adopted in June 2020. Proceeds from the bonds will be used to pay for several projects.  Detailed project descriptions can be found in the County’s Adopted FY 2021 CIP.

Arlington currently holds AAA ratings from the three major rating agencies. These strong bond ratings allow the County to borrow at very low interest rates, resulting in lower costs to Arlington taxpayers.

The five referendum questions and explanations for 2020 are below

Bond Questions & Explanations (English)

Preguntas y Explicaciones de Bonos Espanol

Metro & Transportation

Amount: $29,940,000

Questions

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $29,940,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and other transit, pedestrian, road or transportation projects?

Explanation

This proposal will fund a variety of transportation, road, pedestrian enhancement and transit projects across the County.  The projects to be financed under this proposal are expected to be $21.3 million to fund a portion of Arlington County’s share of WMATA / Metro’s capital improvement program, $7.0 million to fund a portion of the costs for paving local streets and roadways, and $1.6 million to fund bridge maintenance, and replacement. The County Board may reallocate bond funds among other transportation projects within the County’s Capital Improvement Plan, as amended from time to time, to the extent necessary or desirable.

Local Parks & Recreation

Amount: $3,630,000

Question

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $3,630,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for local parks & recreation?

Explanation 

This proposal will fund a variety of parks and recreation projects. The projects to be financed under this proposal are expected to be $2.5 million for the trail and bridge modernization program, $0.5 million for parks maintenance capital projects, and $0.6 million for Rosslyn Highlands Park.  The County Board may reallocate bond funds among other parks and recreation projects within the County’s Capital Improvement Plan, as amended from time to time, to the extent necessary or desirable.

Community Infrastructure

Amount: $7,485,000

Question

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $7,485,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for County facilities and other County infrastructure?

Explanation

This proposal will fund a variety of County infrastructure projects.  The projects to be financed under this proposal are expected to be $3.5 million for fire station renovations, $2.0 million for Courthouse complex facilities improvements, and $1.9 million for facilities maintenance capital projects. The County Board may reallocate bond funds among other County and community infrastructure projects within the County’s Capital Improvement Plan, as amended from time to time, to the extent necessary or desirable.

Arlington Public Schools

Amount: $52,650,000 

Question

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $52,650,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for Arlington Public Schools?

Explanation

This proposal will make funds available for the Arlington Public Schools’ capital improvement program.  The proposed bonds are expected to fund the following projects:

  • Design funds to meet ten-year projected seat needs ($24,300,000)
  • Major infrastructure projects ($15,400,000)
  • Building refresh and kitchen renovations at Arlington Traditional School, Key Elementary School, and McKinley Elementary School ($7,650,000), and

Entrance renovations at Taylor Elementary School, Gunston Middle School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Williamsburg Middle School, and Wakefield High School ($5,300,000)

The School Board may reallocate bond funds among other school projects within the School Board’s Capital Improvement Plan, as amended from time to time, to the extent necessary or desirable.

Stormwater

Amount: $50,840,000

Question

Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $50,840,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for the County Stormwater Program?

Explanation

This proposal will fund a variety of County stormwater projects.  The proposed bonds are expected to fund the following projects:

Capacity Improvements

  • Spout Run Watershed ($26,890,000)
  • Flood Risk Reduction and Capacity Improvements ($4,980,000)
  • Land Acquisition ($4,800,000)
  • Torreyson Run Watershed ($2,380,000)
  • Lubber Run Watershed ($750,000)

Water Quality Improvements

  • Ballston Pond ($3,840,000)
  • Watershed Retrofits ($500,000)

Maintenance Capital Projects

  • Dumbarton Culverts ($6,700,000)

The County Board may reallocate bond funds among other stormwater projects within the County’s Capital Improvement Plan, as amended from time to time, to the extent necessary or desirable.

 

Referenda Frequently Asked Questions

Prior Bond Referenda Information 1951-2018

Office of Voter Registration where more information on General and Special Elections can be found.

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