LAKE VALENCIA IMPROVEMENTS
Ballot Question 6
What is it?
To put it simply:
The proposed extension of Maumelle’s existing ½-cent bond would fund ongoing maintenance and improvements at Lake Valencia, helping address long-term wear while enhancing safety and durability. This investment preserves a beloved community space, supports future trail connectivity, and protects the City’s assets with no tax increase.
As part of the proposed extension of Maumelle’s existing ½-cent bond, the City is prioritizing proactive maintenance and essential improvements at Lake Valencia, one of our community’s most cherished public spaces.
Lake Valencia’s recreational structures are safe and reliable today, but decades of exposure to weather, water, and heavy use have resulted in significant ongoing maintenance needs. Since the mid-1990s, the City has invested substantial funds every few years into repairs at the lake and has had to completely rebuild the boardwalk three separate times. These historical costs show a clear pattern: even with consistent maintenance, traditional wooden materials deteriorate quickly in lakeside environments, leading to repeated repairs and rising long-term expenses.
In previous years, some planks weakened enough that a few residents actually stepped through them. Thankfully, no serious injuries occurred, but these incidents underscore a simple truth: without continued investment, outdoor recreation structures naturally degrade and can create avoidable safety concerns.
Extending the existing ½-cent bond ensures the City can continue providing the level of upkeep needed to prevent hazards, control future costs, and protect the community’s long-term investment. It also enables Maumelle to consider upgrading to more durable, longer-lasting materials for the boardwalk in the future. These modern alternatives offer greater longevity in moisture-rich environments, reducing both maintenance needs and the likelihood of costly rebuilds.
Funding will allow the City to perform ongoing structural upkeep, update aging components, and preserve the fountain, which is a feature that supports both aesthetics and water quality.
The Lake Valencia improvement effort is also a foundational piece of Maumelle’s long-term recreation plan. The lake will serve as a key connection point for the developing Off-Street Loop, a multi-use path linking Lake Willastein, Maumelle Charter School, the Maumelle Library, Municipal Services, and the Rolling Oaks Soccer Complex. Ensuring Lake Valencia remains well-maintained and accessible strengthens the entire network.
Important Reminder- Ballot question 1 regarding refunding is the most crucial item on the ballot. If the refunding question is NOT approved, then none of the projects will be able to proceed. Even if the individual ballot question is approved by voters, it cannot be funded, and will not advance.
What will it look like on my ballot?
QUESTION 6:
FOR or AGAINST an issue of bonds of the City of Maumelle, Arkansas in the maximum principal amount of $3,220,000 which, together with other available moneys, for the purposes of financing all or a portion of the costs of the design, engineering, construction and reconstruction, acquisition, equipping, and improvements for the existing boardwalk, gazebo and fountain at Lake Valencia, including electrical systems, paths, trails and related improvements, and to pay the costs of issuing the bonds, and, in order to pay the bonds, the levy and pledge of a one-half of one percent (0.50%) local sales and use tax within the City.
What does this mean?
