On November 8, 2016 Arlington residents approved four local bond referenda totaling $316 million. The projects included in these bond questions are components of the County’s ten-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Arlington Public Schools’ CIP, both adopted in July 2016. Proceeds from the bonds will be used to pay for several projects. Detailed project descriptions can be found in the County’s FY 2017-2026 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 four referenda questions and explanations from 2016 are below.
| Category | Amount | Question | Explanation |
| 1. Metro & Transportation | $58,785,000 | Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $58,785,000 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? | This proposal would fund a variety of transportation, road, pedestrian enhancement and transit projects across the County. The largest components of this proposal are $30 million for Arlington County’s share of WMATA/Metro’s capital improvement program, and $24 million to fund a portion of the costs for paving local streets and roadways. Proceeds of this proposal would also fund bridge renovation, street lights, transportation systems & traffic signals, as well as the WALKArlington, BikeArlington, Safe Routes to Schools, and Curb & Gutter Missing Links programs. The County Board may reallocate bond funds among the various projects to the extent necessary or desirable. |
| 2. Local Parks & Recreation | $19,310,000 | Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $19,310,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for local parks & recreation, and land acquisition for parks and open space? | The proposed Local Parks & Recreation program would fund parks improvements and enhancements, as well as $3 million for the Land Acquisition and Open Space program for strategic park acquisitions and land acquisition for parks and open space. This proposal would also fund the Trail Modernization program, design and planning at Jennie Dean Park and construction at Tyrol Hills Park, and maintenance capital improvements such as playground, courts and other parks infrastructure improvements. The County Board may reallocate bond funds among the various projects to the extent necessary or desirable. |
| 3. Community Infrastructure | $98,850,000 | Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $98,850,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the cost of various capital projects for County facilities, joint County-Schools projects, information technology, and other County infrastructure? | This proposal will fund a variety of County infrastructure projects. The largest component of this proposal is $46.46 million for the Lubber Run Community Center project. Also included is $12 million of funding for Neighborhood Conservation projects, as well as funding for the Nauck Town Square, planning & design of the Fire Station 8 replacement, renovations & improvements to government facilities in the Court House Complex, renovation of the Barcroft Sports & Fitness Center for additional gymnastics, and a County childcare facility. The Neighborhood Conservation Program provides funding for a variety of neighborhood-identified capital improvement projects including street improvements (sidewalk, curb and gutter, drainage, paving), traffic management and pedestrian enhancements, park improvements, street lighting, recreational facilities, landscaping, and beautification.
It also includes funding of a joint County & Schools parking deck and other improvements at the Thomas Jefferson middle school site due to the construction of a new elementary school, critical systems infrastructure upgrades to 24×7 hour facilities; and facilities maintenance capital improvements, including design and construction of projects including but not limited to roofs, electrical and heating / cooling systems and other facilities infrastructure. The County Board may reallocate bond funds among the various projects to the extent necessary or desirable. |
| 4. Arlington Public Schools | $138,830,000 | Shall Arlington County contract a debt and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum principal amount of $138,830,000 to finance, together with other available funds, the costs of various capital projects for Arlington Public Schools? | This proposal will make funds available for the Arlington Public Schools’ capital improvement program. The proposed bonds will fund the following projects:
The School Board may reallocate bond funds among the various projects to the extent necessary or desirable. |
Referenda Frequently Asked Questions
Prior Bond Referenda Information 1991-Current
Office of Voter Registration where more information on General and Special Elections can be found.