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
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| Category | Amount | Question | Explanation |
| 1. Metro & Transportation
|
$29,940,000 | 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? | 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. |
| 2. Local Parks & Recreation
|
$3,630,000 | 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? | 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. |
| 3. Community Infrastructure
|
$7,485,000 | 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? | 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. |
| 4. Arlington Public Schools
|
$52,650,000 | 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? | This proposal will make funds available for the Arlington Public Schools’ capital improvement program. The proposed bonds are expected to fund the following projects:
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. |
| 5. Stormwater | $50,840,000 | 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? | This proposal will fund a variety of County stormwater projects. The proposed bonds are expected to fund the following projects:
Capacity Improvements
Water Quality Improvements
Maintenance Capital Projects
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.