Henderson County Open Space Preservation Bonds Referendum

What it does

Additional property taxes may be levied on property located in the County of Henderson in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on bonds if approved by the following ballot question. SHALL the order authorizing $25,000,000 of bonds plus interest to pay the capital costs of acquisition and improvement of land or interests therein for open space and conservation purposes, including, but not limited to, the protection of natural resources and preservation of farmland and scenic landscapes, including the acquisition of the development rights in the land, and providing that additional taxes may be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds be approved, in light of the following: (1) The estimated cumulative cost over the life of the bonds, using the highest interest rate charged for similar debt over the last 20 years, would be $39,028,000 (consisting of $25,000,000 principal amount of the bonds plus $14,028,000 of interest). (2) The estimated amount of property tax liability increase for each one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of property tax value to service the cumulative cost over the life of the bond provided above would be $10.10 per year.

A YES vote means

Henderson County could borrow $25,000,000 by issuing bonds for buying and improving land or development rights for open space and conservation, including farmland and scenic landscapes, repaid with property taxes; the estimated total cost with interest is $39,028,000, and the estimated property tax increase is $10.10 a year per $100,000 of value.

A NO vote means

Henderson County would not be authorized to issue these $25,000,000 in bonds or levy taxes to repay them.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners introduced a bond order authorizing $25,000,000 of General Obligation Open Space (Farmland) Preservation Bonds at a special called meeting on July 27, 2026, after a presentation from the county's Farmland Preservation Coordinator on a proposed farmland preservation program.

After a public hearing on August 6, 2026, the Board unanimously adopted the bond order and a resolution setting the special bond referendum for November 3, 2026, according to the meeting minutes.

The county's statement of disclosures estimates $14,028,000 in interest over a 20-year term, assuming a 5.344% rate, and an increase in the property tax rate of $0.0101 per $100 (equivalent to $10.10 per $100,000) of assessed valuation to repay the bonds.

Put on the ballot by Henderson County Board of Commissioners, unanimous, August 6, 2026 (bond order and referendum resolution).

From official source 1, official source 2.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Henderson County Open Space Preservation Bonds Referendum mean?

Henderson County could borrow $25,000,000 by issuing bonds for buying and improving land or development rights for open space and conservation, including farmland and scenic landscapes, repaid with property taxes; the estimated total cost with interest is $39,028,000, and the estimated property tax increase is $10.10 a year per $100,000 of value.

What does a NO vote on Henderson County Open Space Preservation Bonds Referendum mean?

Henderson County would not be authorized to issue these $25,000,000 in bonds or levy taxes to repay them.

How many votes does Henderson County Open Space Preservation Bonds Referendum need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Henderson County Open Space Preservation Bonds Referendum?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.