Matthews Messenger - August 2022

AUGUST 2022

Volume 4 — Issue 8

In this issue...

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Officer Josh Burnett demonstrates some police equipment for children at the National Night Out event held this week in Stumptown Park.

Learn more about your town in Matthews 101 MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

Matthews Alive is back!

FAQs on the upcoming bond referendum

www.matthewsnc.gov

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Matthews Messenger | august 2022

MANAGER’S MESSAGE I hope you are all enjoying your summer and staying cool. It’s been a busy summer here in Matthews. We have a lot to share with you this month.

It’s hard to believe it is almost back to school time. We are joining forces with our community partners and the Matthews HELP Center in our annual effort to collect school supplies for local students in need. Read more about this on page 5.

In next month’s newsletter we will include more information about the potential projects funded through the bonds.

As always, we welcome your comments and questions.

Lastly, if you are interested in learning more about local government and the Town of Matthews, consider applying to take part in our citizens academy known as Matthews 101. Participants get an in-depth learning We are excited to welcome experience through weekly back Matthews Alive this year sessions focused on a different after a two-year hiatus due to department or area of town the Covid-19 pandemic. Festival government, including Police, organizers have a fantastic lineup Fire and EMS, Parks and of entertainment, food, rides, Recreation, Public Works and games and more. Read all about more. Read more below.

Matthews Alive on page 3.

Check out the calendar We continue our series on the on page 6 for Town events upcoming bond referendum and Board of Commissioners on page 4. In this issue, we’ve meetings so you can stay featured some frequently asked involved and engaged in all questions to help understand that Matthews has to offer.

General Obligation (G.O.) bonds.

Becky Hawke BECKY HAWKE MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

Apply Now for Matthews 101!

The Town of Matthews offers Matthews 101, a six-week educational program for residents of Matthews to learn more about local government, the Town of Matthews, its staff, departments and services provided. Participants get an in-depth learning experience through weekly sessions focused on a different department or area of town government, including Police, Fire and EMS, Parks and Recreation, Public Works and more.

The 2022 session will begin on Thursday, September 15. Sessions will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for six weeks. There is no cost to participate.

Applications for the 2022 session are now being accepted through September 6. Click here to apply. https://www.matthewsnc.gov/pview. aspx?id=20750&catid=564 2

Matthews Messenger | august 2022

MATTHEWS ALIVE IS BACK! Matthews Alive is back! Join us for one of the biggest events of the year September 2-5 in downtown Matthews. This year’s event features live entertainment, food and drink, carnival games and rides, kid-friendly activities, and family fun for all ages.

Live music begins with Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot and The Entertainers kicking off Beach Night on Friday, September 2nd. Saturday evening features Foreigner tribute band, Double Vision, and Bohemian Queen, a Queen Tribute Band, will take the Main Stage on Sunday evening.

Labor Day Weekend September 2-5 The parade will take place on Saturday, September 3 beginning at 9:30 am through downtown Matthews.

The festival theme for 2022 is “Labor (Day) of Love.” Parade entries are encouraged to decorate with the theme in mind, and self-made float entries that utilize the theme will be given entry fee refunds. Organizers will be recognizing and honoring local healthcare frontline workers in this year’s parade.

Visit www.matthewsalive.org for more information.

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Matthews Messenger | august 2022

er 8 b m e Nov ction day ele

0 berbe2gins o t c O voting

Early

The Matthews Board of Commissioners has adopted a Bond Order for both a Transportation bond (up to $21 million) and a Parks and Recreation bond (up to $14 million). The bonds will now be placed on the ballot this fall for voters in Matthews to approve or disapprove.

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions that may help to better understand General Obligation (G.O.) bonds.

What is a General Obligation Bond?

A General Obligation (G.O.) Bond is a financing tool available to borrow significant long-term debt. Municipalities can pledge their full faith and credit (i.e. their taxing power) to repay the debt over a specific term. Voter approval is needed to authorize a G.O. bond during a general election.

How much will the Town borrow in bonds?

Bonds may be issued in whole or in part. The Transportation Bond is up to $21 million and the Parks Bond is up to $14 million. It is unlikely that all $35 million in bonds will be issued at the same time, but rather the project will be spread out over the course of several years.

What are the property tax implications of these bonds?

There are a variety of factors that will be considered over the several -year period that the Town will issue the bonds (for example: growth in the tax base, changes in revenues and operational expenses). However, we expect an increase in the property tax rate will be necessary to repay the estimated bond debt.

If all $35 million in bonds are issued at the same time, which is unlikely to occur, the projected property tax rate increase will be approximately $.037/$100 valuation.

This means a home estimated at a value of $480,000 would see an increase in the monthly tax bill of $14.83 once all $35 million in bonds are issued. The current tax rate in Matthews is $.295/$100 valuation.

Why bonds and not another funding source?

General obligation bond financing allows the Town to complete for important projects at the lowest possible cost. Matthews is rated AA1 by Moody’s Investors Services which enables the Town to secure lower interest rates for voter-approved bonds.

Financing these projects over 20 years allows future citizens who will also benefit from the projects to contribute towards paying for them.

Look for more information about the priority projects funded through the bonds in next month's newsletter.

For more information on the bonds, including priority projects, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/bonds.

Email questions or comments to matthews@matthewsnc.gov.

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Matthews Messenger | august 2022

Matthews GIVES BACK TO SCHOOL School supply collection for local sutdents in need.

The Town of Matthews is once again collecting school supply donations for local students in need. This effort is led by the Matthews Police Department together with the Matthews HELP Center and various sponsors. Supplies are now being collected at locations throughout Matthews (click here to view a list of dropoff locations and supplies needed: https://matthewshelpcenter.org/services/back-to-school/). Items will be distributed at a community cookout on Friday, August 26 from 6 pm - 8 pm at the Matthews Sportsplex.

Residents may apply to receive free school supplies by visiting www.matthewshelpcenter.org and completing an application.

The Town of Matthews has been featured on the cover of the summer issue of the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association magazine. There are several articles highlighting the great work of our Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource Department.

View the issue HERE!

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Matthews Messenger | august 2022

August 2022 Events Calendar Any questions? Contact us!

8:00 am car seat checking station

6:00 PM national night out

7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting

6:45 PM Matthews committee on education meeting

7:00 PM board of adjustment Meeting

6:30 PM Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Advisory Com. mtg

7:00 pm environmental advisory cmte mtg

7:00 pm transportation advisory committee meeting

8:00 am car seat checking station 5:30 PM Cultural diversity cmte meeting

7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting

4:30 pm economic development advisory committee

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8:00 am car seat checking station

5:00 PM Beats ‘n Bites 6:00 pm matthews gives back to school 7:00 PM board of adjustment Meeting

6:00 PM Crews Family Fun Night

For additional details, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/calendar.ASPX Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners

Have any questions about the community? Contact us!

Mayor John Higdon mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner mark tofano mtofano@matthewsnc.gov

TOWN HALL

Mayor Pro Tem Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov

PHONE

Commissioner Renee garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Larry Whitley lwhitley@matthewsnc.gov

E-MAIL

Commissioner gina hoover ghoover@matthewsnc.gov

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232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 847- 4411 matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB

www.matthewsnc.gov