A bond referendum is a vote to authorize the city to issue bonds to generate revenue for a specific project. If voters approve the referendum, the City of Atlanta will issue bonds up to $250 million to fund infrastructure projects including repair and construction of complete streets projects, sidewalks, bridges, and curb ramps. Bonds are considered one of the safest funding tools available to the City of Atlanta. The City will repay the bonds at a low interest rate over a period of 30 years. Because of the City’s good credit rating and strong financial management practices, the infrastructure bonds will not raise property taxes.

The City’s infrastructure backlog will require more than $1 billion to fully address. Mayor Reed and the City Council are asking Atlanta voters to approve $250 million in the bond vote to address one quarter of the problem now.

This $250 million investment will be the single-largest investment in the City’s infrastructure in more than a decade, and will result in clear and measurable improvements in the look, feel, and experience of Atlanta for residents and visitors alike.The City has developed a comprehensive funding strategy to complete the remaining infrastructure projects. Other sources of funding include increasing capital budgets in the City’s annual budget, sales of assets, federal, state, and philanthropic grants, improving operational efficiency that results in new savings, corporate and private donations, and energy saving performance contract opportunities.

How are the projects prioritized?

The City, through a public engagement and voting process, determined criteria through which to weigh various projects. Key criteria included:• Infrastructure sustainability (number of years past life cycle)• Provide for pedestrian and bike facilities (construct or upgrade bike/pedestrian facilities)• Promote public health and safety (bike lanes, pedestrian lighting, ADA improvements)• Leverage Federal/State funds (80% or more)• Connection to transit (proximity to rail and bus routes)• Green infrastructure innovation (recycled materials, rain gardens, etc.)• Preservation of neighborhoods (connectivity to schools or historic venues)• Connection to other projects (proximity to other projects)• Part of Connect Atlanta or other COA plans/reports• Part of a Neighborhood/Development adopted planProjects funded by the infrastructure bonds are broken down into two categories that correspond to the two questions on the ballot. Question 1 refers to transportation-related projects and Question 2 refers to facilities-related projects.Transportation projects include replacing street lights to make your neighborhood safer, repairing and replacing outdated bridges to connect communities, synchronizing traffic lights to make your commute easier and reduce congestion, installing more bike lanes and complete streets projects for more transportation options, and building and repairing sidewalks, curbs, and ADA ramps for better mobility.Facilities projects include upgrading police and fire stations and recreation centers across the City.The City is now in its third and final round of public information meetings on the infrastructure vote to educate Atlanta residents and gather feedback. An interactive map of proposed projects has been online for more than a year, with more than 600 people submitting comments and questions. The City is taking all public comments into consideration and combining this feedback with expert recommendations. Mayor Reed, the Atlanta City Council, and our staff at the Department of Public Works want to ensure Atlanta residents get the biggest bang for their buck, choosing projects that will make the biggest impact quickly.After more than a year of gathering input, the list is almost complete. You can still offer feedback at any public information meeting, through social media, or by contacting us through email or by phone. The City urges people to tell their City Council member which projects they care about most. City Council will vote to finalize a list sometime in March or April 2015.Infrastructure projects are classified as city-wide or local projects. The Department of Public Works is working with the City Council to make sure funds are distributed in an equitable, transparent manner across the entire City.

Will taxes be increased to pay this debt?

No. From March to June 2014, the Mayor‘s “Blue Ribbon Commission on Waste & Efficiency in Government” was charged with identifying cost-saving strategies in City government to enable the City of Atlanta make these necessary investments in City infrastructure without raising property taxes.

The City will begin implementing the initiatives that have been identified by the Mayor’s Waste & Efficiency Commission.

Property taxes from new construction

Sale of surplus assets

Maintenance and operating savings from sold assets

New revenue initiatives

Savings from internal operations improvements

Risk management & safety improvements

Performance driven budgeting

Recurring savings and new revenues:General Obligation (GO) bonds with ad-valorem property tax revenues as pledged security for the payment debt service.The bonds will be sold as a negotiated transaction and will involve the selection of a team of financial institutions to participate as underwriters.At this time the City has not selected any firm/s that will participate in the bond transaction.The bonds are expected to be issued after the March 17, 2015 voter referendum.It is expected that the first interest payment will occur on January 1, 2016, and the first principal will occur on July 1, 2016.

The debt is expected to be paid within 30 years (July 1, 2045).

What will be the interest rate on the bonds?

The bonds will bear a fixed interest rate, and as of January 23, 2014 projections, it is estimated that the interest rate on the bonds would be approximately 5.4% (subject to change).

How much debt service will be paid each year?

As of January 2014 projections, it is estimated that the annual debt payments will be approximately $16.5 million per year (subject to change).It is estimated that the total cost to issue the bonds will be between $3 - $5 million.It is estimated that the proceeds from the bonds sale will be received by July 1, 2015 for projects financing. Once the project list is finalized, a timeline for implementation will be developed. We expect to start projects immediately upon authorization from Finance to expend the funds.The City’s current ratings are:• Moody’s Investor Service Aa2 with a stable outlook• S & P AA with a stable outlook***S & P rating upgrade of 3 notches (June 27, 2014) from an “A” rating with a stable outlookNo. Water projects are paid for through water rates and fees, grants, and loans.

Thirty-five percent of City contracts will be with women and minority-owned firms. Federal and state projects may differ.

Click here to download a copy of the Renew Atlanta 2015 Infrastructure Bond Frequently Asked Questions.