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Securing the investments needed to safeguard and transform city infrastructure often requires innovative thinking. Federal funds may not be enough to cover the associated costs, or are contingent on matching dollars from non-federal sources. Many local leaders are exploring ways to tap into new and existing funding sources to fill this need and enable investments in new and enhanced infrastructure assets.
The Local Infrastructure Hub hosted a session on February 11, 2025 to learn from mayors and city leaders who have successfully leveraged ballot initiatives to secure infrastructure funding. Locally authorized funding streams, like those approved via ballot measures, can form a critical part of the capital stacks for local infrastructure portfolios. Featured speakers include Mayor Freddie O’Connell of Nashville, Tennessee; Randy Borntrager, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Service for Columbus, Ohio; and Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, CEO of Accelerator for America.
Key insights shared:
Consider the three phases of a successful ballot measure: plan development, authorization, and campaigning.
Mary Ellen Wiederwohl discussed the process of developing a successful ballot measure. The first component is plan development, where local leaders create a community-informed plan that defines the problem, proposes interventions, and estimates costs. Next, as your city starts to get an idea about what you’re going to need and its cost, you need to consider authorization. What are the legal pathways to place the measure on the ballot, considering local laws, deadlines, and necessary reporting. Finally, ballot measures require campaigning. A successful robust campaign communicates with voters and mobilizes support for the measure on election day. It is important to keep in mind that these phases are not entirely sequential and often overlap.
Foster deep collaboration to ensure all voices are heard and included throughout the process.
Issue 47 in Central Ohio passed with 56% support. This measure increases Franklin County’s sales tax by 0.75% to fund the LinkUS plan, expanding the regional rapid transit network and adding 500 miles of sidewalks, trails, and bike paths in the COTA service area. Randy Borntrager highlighted that this initiative focused on a comprehensive approach to mobility, emphasizing both transit expansion and infrastructure improvements like sidewalks and bike trails. By engaging a wide range of community stakeholders, Columbus aimed to balance the needs of existing transit riders with those of residents who would benefit from enhanced mobility options outside of rapid transit corridors. Success came from building strong partnerships and framing the project in a way that resonated with both transit users and the wider community.
Prioritize solutions that work for both the present and future needs of the city.
Choose How You Move in Nashville had 65.5% voter support. This referendum authorizes a 0.5% sales tax to fund new bus rapid transit routes, traffic light synchronization, sidewalks, and safety improvements. Mayor O’Connell discussed the decision to prioritize bus rapid transit (BRT) over light rail. BRT was seen as a more immediate solution to meet the city’s mobility needs, given its cost-effectiveness and ability to serve a broader area compared to the more expensive light rail options.
The best offense is a good defense.
Both Columbus and Nashville credit some of their cities’ success with the fact that there was no organized opposition. The key to avoiding organized resistance was building a unified coalition and maintaining transparent communication with all stakeholders. Both cities engaged a broad coalition of stakeholders early in the process, including business groups, community organizations, and think tanks. Their proactive and inclusive approach allowed them to address concerns before they gained traction, making it difficult for opposition to form.
Resources Shared During the Webinar and in Discussion:
Local Infrastructure Hub Bootcamp Materials
The Local Infrastructure Hub is here to support cities in communicating the success of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded projects through a mix of webinars, practical tools, and templates. Our webinars and Grant Application Bootcamps can guide you through different application processes and actionable steps to submit a strong application.
Register for our Local Infrastructure Hub Bootcamps now to receive technical assistance for city staff on relevant tools and templates that can be applied to grant applications; learn how to build community engagement plans and leverage community assets; understand how to effectively incorporate data into the grant application process; and how to construct a strong budget and grant narrative.