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1. What are bonds?

Bonds encourage investment in the City. The City hires bond analysts who determine the value of the bonds that we can sell within a safe margin. We will issue bonds valued up to a certain amount, as approved by voters, and those bonds will be purchased by investors. The analysts will monitor the market and conduct the sale of the bonds.

The investors who purchase the bonds earn tax-free interest on their investment. Each year, we pay the principal and the interest on the bond debt, and that interest goes to the investors. When we retire the bonds, we pay the investors back the face value of the bond.

2. What projects have previously been completed as a result of bond programs?

Most of you voted in support of the 2012 bond authorization, and thanks to your support, we were able to:

• Build the Don Tyson Parkway Interchange on I-49
• Extend Don Tyson Parkway from Hylton to Habberton Road
• Widen Don Tyson Parkway from S. 40th Street to Carley Road
• Extend 56th Street (now named Gene George Boulevard) from Dearing Road/Don Tyson Parkway to Bleaux Avenue
• Build the C. L. “Charlie” & Willie George Park in southeast Springdale
• Purchase 120 acres of land for a northwest park
• Renovate Murphy Park and buy equipment for J. B. Hunt, Tyson, Murphy, and C. L. “Charlie” & Willie George parks.
• Replace and relocate Fire Stations Two and Three to improve functionality and response time, and purchase necessary equipment for the Fire Department, such as extrication equipment and self-contained breathing apparatuses.

Thanks to the 2004 and 2006 Bond Programs approved by Springdale voters, we were able to:

• Build Arvest Ballpark
• Widen and connect Huntsville Avenue
• Widen and connect Don Tyson Parkway
• Widen and connect Wagon Wheel Road

The building of these three major east-west corridors has increased residential and commercial developments and has helped eased traffic congestion.

3. What was on the ballot in 2018?

There were multiple ballot measures related to the bond authorization. Please click the ballot items for more information.

• Refunding Bonds and 1% Sales and Use Tax
• Street Improvement Bonds And 1% Sales and Use Tax
• Parks and Recreational Improvement Bonds And 1% Sales and Use Tax
• Fire Department Improvement Bonds And 1% Sales and Use Tax
• Animal Shelter Improvement Bonds And 1% Sales and Use Tax
• Criminal Justice and Administration Building Improvement Bonds and 1% Sales and Use Tax

Note: The "1% Sales and Use Tax" at the end of each ballot item is not a tax increase. It is an authorization to continue the current 1% sales and use tax that was levied in 2003 and continued in 2006 as approved by Springdale voters.

4. Whom do I contact if I have questions about the bond?

If you have any questions about finances related to the bond program, please contact the Director of Administration & Finance Wyman Morgan at wmorgan@springdalear.gov. For information about projects included in the bond, please email communications@springdalear.gov.

5. How can I get involved?

We will have public meetings in the future to discuss projects related to the bonds. Follow us on social media or sign up through NotifyMe® on our website to be notified of public meetings. To find your City Council representatives, please click here.

6. What is the timeline?

The ballot items were approved by Springdale voters in February 2018. We sold the bonds in May, and retired the 2006 bonds in July. The majority of the money has to be obligated within three years; however, not all of the projects must be complete.

7. How much will the bonds be for?

A total of about $200 million in bonds will be sold, if approved by Springdale voters. It will be allocated as follows:

• $92,710,000 in maximum principal amount for the Street Improvements
• $21,320,000 in maximum principal amount for the Park and Recreational Improvements
• $17,635,000 in maximum principal amount for Fire Department Improvements
• $42,580,000 in maximum principal amount for Criminal Justice and Administration Building Improvements
• $5,645,000 in maximum principal amount for the Animal Shelter Improvements
• $44,765,000 in maximum principal amount for the refunding of the Series 2013 Bonds

Click here to learn more about these individual bond categories.

8. Will the bond issue increase taxes?

No. The bond issue will simply continue the current 1% sales and use tax that was levied in 2003 and continued in 2006 as approved by Springdale voters.

9. When was the special election?

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018.

10. Whom do I contact to get more information about voting?

For more information about voting, please contact your county election commission. More information can be found on our Voter Information page.

11. What infrastructure projects will be included with this bond issue?

To learn more about the infrastructure projects that will be included with this bond issue, please click here.

12. Who determines which projects are selected?

Ultimately the Mayor and City Council will make the final decision. You're encouraged to attend public meetings and give input on proposed projects. For a list of public meetings for 2018, please see our City calendar. You can also follow us on social media or sign up through NotifyMe® on our website to be notified of public meetings.

13. Will there be public meetings to discuss projects?

Yes. We previously held public input sessions to discuss the future Shaw Family Park, North 56^th St. (to be renamed Gene George Boulevard), the Criminal Justice and Civic Complex, Animal Shelter, and potential street improvement projects. 

You're encouraged to attend public meetings and give input on proposed projects. For a list of public meetings for 2018, please see our City calendar.  You can also follow us on social media or sign up through NotifyMe® on our website to be notified of public meetings.  

14. Where do I vote?

The special election for the 2018 Bond Program is over. Here is general information regarding voting in Springdale:

You can vote at any polling place in Springdale. Both Washington and Benton county allow voters to vote at any polling place in the county. For a full list of polling places, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 750-8518. You can also contact your county election commission. For more information, please visit our voter information page.