Successful Street Program Can Continue with Voter Approval

Published on March 30, 2022

Question-1-Street-GO-Bonds

On April 5th voters will consider no tax increase Street General Obligation (GO) bonds to continue the much-needed reconstruction of our city streets.

If Question 1: No tax increase street GO bonds is approved by voters, the $21 million GO bonds would allow Belton to:

  • Reconstruct and resurface 20 more miles of residential streets,
  • Replace 90,000 more feet of curb and
  • Bring 115 more sidewalk ramps into ADA compliance.

“We want to continue the successful Street Reconstruction Project,” says Greg Rokos, public works director. “Moving forward, we have established a new four-year plan that once completed, will bring the average street rating for the entire city to satisfactory or higher.”

Over the past three years, the city has done just as it promised – reconstructed and resurfaced 17.5 miles of residential streets, replaced 48,000 feet of curbs and brought 113 sidewalk ramps into ADA compliance in 22 subdivisions with no tax increase to citizens.

How was this accomplished? Following voter approval of Proposition R in 2019, good financial management and planning by the city council and city staff have been the foundation of responsible investment of taxpayer dollars. Belton has aggressively paid off existing debt, refinanced for better interest rates and made room in our state-set debt limit to take on additional debt with no tax increase.

Data will continue to drive the streets and curbs prioritized for reconstruction based on their Pavement Condition Index (PCI). In 2018, Stantec Consulting Services collected and analyzed data on Belton streets, which reported the city streets’ overall PCI rating of "46" or "poor" condition; 67.68 percent (178.97 lane miles) of the streets were labeled in a poor, very poor, serious or failing condition.

“I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the past three years and it would not have been possible without voter approval in 2019,” says Rokos.

Trust is earned and the city of Belton earned its citizens’ trust with the successful completion of the first wave of its Street Reconstruction Project. If Question 1, no tax increase Street GO Bonds passes on April 5th, the city will continue to deliver progress as promised through the reconstruction of more city streets, curbs and ADA sidewalk ramps.

Make sure to get out and vote on April 5th, 2022. Click here to find your polling location.

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