Rogers voters approved all six bond issues on Tuesday, authorizing roughly $457.25 million for a slate of city improvements. The package funds street and storm‑water upgrades, park expansion, fire and police enhancements, animal‑services growth and refinancing of existing debt.
Street and storm‑water work leads the package
The largest portion, $195.5 million, is earmarked for street and storm‑water projects. The city plans to repair, resurface or rebuild more than 200 miles of roadway – about half of Rogers’ street network. One highlighted project is the widening of Walnut Street from Dixieland Road to Eighth Street.
Parks, recreation and public‑safety facilities
Beyond roads, $81.5 million will go to parks and recreation, including the purchase and renovation of the Rogers Activity Center and the development of a new west‑side park that would add roughly 250 acres of green space, increasing the city’s parkland by nearly 38 percent.
The fire department will receive $32.75 million for facility upgrades, new equipment and expanded training resources. The police department is allocated $20.75 million for a new evidence‑storage facility and renovations to its headquarters. Animal Services will benefit from $8.75 million to build a new shelter that is expected to double its capacity.
Financing and timeline
The bond also includes $118 million to refinance existing debt. Rather than creating a new sales tax, the measure extends the existing one‑cent local sales and use tax that already funds the city’s bond obligations. The current bonds are scheduled for repayment in May 2029; without the new package, the tax would expire. With the extension, the tax is projected to remain in place until about 2047, depending on final bond terms.
City public‑relations manager Peter Masonis said the finance department is already in contact with underwriters and that the goal is to start projects as soon as possible. Some projects have entered the design phase, while others are still awaiting right‑of‑way acquisition and utility relocation before construction can begin. The city has not set a definitive construction schedule, but officials assure residents that projects will move forward when ready.
What residents can expect
Mayor and city officials promise regular updates on project timelines, construction progress and individual project status. “Every voter should expect transparency as these projects are moving forward,” Masonis said.
The bond approval reflects strong community support for investing in Rogers’ infrastructure, recreation and public‑safety services without raising taxes, positioning the city for continued growth and quality‑of‑life improvements.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
