WS Chronicle

The final meeting to solicit public comments on the proposed 2018 bond referendum will be tonight.

The Capital Needs Meeting will take place at Salem Lake Marina, 1001 Salem Lake Road, tonight at 6 p.m. It’s the last of nine meetings held around the city to inform the public and get feedback on the proposed $122 million in bonds the City Council is considering placing on the November ballot. The Council is scheduled to vote May 21 on publishing a letter of intent and submitting an application to the Local Government Commission that’ll set the maximum amount the bond can be. On Aug. 6, the City Council will hold a public hearing and vote to place the bond on the Nov. 6 ballot. The bonds would cause the city property tax to go up 4 cent per each $100 in property value, which would be $60 more for a $150,000 house.

The next to last comment meeting on Thursday, April 5, at the Winston-Salem Lake Golf Course Clubhouse drew what City Manager Lee Garrity said may have been the biggest crowd they’ve had so far, with more than 40 attendees.

After a brief video, attendees got to go around to displays on the different proposed bond projects that were manned with city staff ready to answer questions and listen to feedback. Before they left, attendees were encouraged to fill out and turn in a comment card.

Josetta Timberlake was one of the residents who made the rounds, examining the projects and talking with city staff.

“‘Capital’ means money, so I figured I need to come and find out where my money is going to,” said Timberlake.

Timberlake said she couldn’t make the meeting closest to where she lives, but last week’s fit in her schedule. She said it was very informative and it lets her tell others what’s going on with the bonds.

“It’s improvements that are all needed, and I see them doing some now, so they are keeping their word,” said Timberlake.

City officials say that about 70 percent of the money from the 2014 bond has been spent, with only a few projects remaining to break ground. This is far faster than the previous bond in 2000, when it took a decade to spend that money.

Garrity said they’ve heard little negativity toward the bonds, but have heard many concerns about things that are of interest to each resident, particularly streets that need repairs.

Marshall McDuffie, president of Winston Lake Estates Homeowners Association, came to ask about improvements for the streets and sidewalks in his neighborhood. He had a long conversation with Assistant Transportation Director Jeffrey Fansler, who said he’d research his concerns and get back to him.

“This is what is needed, just meeting, being able to talk and see how things work out,” said McDuffie.
Several golfers using the Winston Lake Golf Course attended the meeting, including Thurmond Carter, who said he appreciated the opportunity to learn about the bonds so he can make an informed decision on them.

“I like the idea of the city having these little meetings informing citizens of what’s going on,” said Carter.

Information on the bonds can be found at www.cityofws.org/2018bonds (a feedback form is located at the bottom of the page).