The Union County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution during its regular meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, to place a General Obligation (GO) bond referendum on the ballot for the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. The referendum will ask voters whether to authorize financing for the construction of a new County detention center.

The proposed project includes construction of a new detention center with approximately 500 beds and repurposing the existing administrative building connected to the current jail for staff training and operational support. Union County's existing detention center was built in 1994 under a federal court order and currently operates over capacity. The facility has significant mechanical and structural issues, no room for expansion and is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. County leaders have determined that renovating the current jail would cost approximately the same as replacing it, making a new facility the more practical long-term solution.

As required by North Carolina law, voter approval is necessary before the County can issue General Obligation bonds for the project. General Obligation bonds are backed by the County's credit and taxing authority and are commonly used by local governments to finance major capital projects. GO bonds typically provide the lowest borrowing costs and interest rates available, reducing the amount taxpayers pay in interest over the life of the debt compared to other financing options.

"It's been well documented the condition of our jail. It's not a question of whether Union County needs a new jail; it becomes a question of what's the more affordable way to make that happen," said Brian Helms, Chair of the Board of Commissioners. "Our Board has had lots of discussion about what the financing model would look like, and by putting this out to the voters to decide, not only do you solicit the input from the people, but you also pave the way for more affordable options in the long-term cost of the project."

While other financing options are available, they generally result in higher borrowing costs over time.

If voters approve the bond referendum, the property tax rate could increase by an estimated 3.11 cents. Owners of a home valued at $400,000 would pay approximately $124.40 more in annual property taxes.

The Board’s action allows the measure to be placed on the November 2026 election ballot for voter consideration. As a capital project requiring a long-term funding source, voter approval is required before the County can issue the bond.