A: In the last bond referendum in 1990, voters approved a 7-cent increase in property tax to pay the debt service on the GO Bonds approved then. The City will complete the debt service payments on those bonds over the next several fiscal years. That money could be used to pay the debt service for the proposed GO Bonds which would eliminate the need for any tax increase or new tax to pay for these bonds. Other options are property taxes could be reduced or the savings used in other ways. Gastonia City Council encourages citizen participation and wants citizens to vote to direct the City in this public decision.

A: The $32 million Bond Referendum consists of two separate ballot questions. These will appear on the ballot as the $27,365,000 STREET AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT BONDS of the City of Gastonia, and the $4,635,000 PARKS AND RECREATION IMPROVEMENT BONDS of the City of Gastonia.

A: State election rules require that the roads and recreation bonds be listed separately. With two separate questions on the ballot, voters can choose to support both, one, or neither of the bond considerations.