Voters Pass Bond Referendum

Voters took to the polls on Tuesday, Sept. 10 to give their approval of the City of Sanford’s $14.5 million bond program.

Starting in late July, City staff rolled out an education campaign to provide details on the potential bond projects, along with their financial implications and potential tax consequences.

Using public presentations, static displays, social media, and the City’s website, staffers spent the past six weeks educating residents on how the bonds will be used to improve the quality of life and economic development in Sanford.

The outcome of Tuesday’s vote reflected Sanford’s optimism about the bond program’s ability to transition the city from a struggling industrial town to a thriving business community.

For more information about the vote count, read this recap in The Sanford Herald. Information on the next steps in the bond process will be forthcoming.

Residents To Vote On City's Development Future

After weeks of discussion, the Sanford City Council has decided to let voters choose whether to take on several community projects totaling $14.5 million.

This November, citizens will vote on a bond referendum that includes:

• Expansion of the Endor Iron Furnace Greenway ($4 million)
• Improvements to the streetscape in downtown Sanford and Jonesboro ($6.5 million)
• Sidewalk improvements ($2 million)
• Recreational projects ($2 million)

For detailed explanation of each item, you can watch City Council's discussions of the referendum items over the past several weeks or this Sanford Herald article.

Financial Impact

If the bond referendum passes, the city property tax rate may be impacted by 5.25 cents per $100 valuation, the Sanford Herald reported.

The $14.5 million total is down from $21.5 million before a new public safety building was removed from the  package. Council decided at its May 15, 2013 retreat to proceed with the new building on its own.

Next Steps

The City also resolved to advertise the bond referendum in the coming months. Stay tuned for more information and explanation of each item and its importance in Sanford's future.