Birmingham bond referendum vote fast approaching

Birmingham voters will head to the polls next week to decide if they want the city to borrow $150 million for a bond referendum in order to make various improvements around the Magic City.

Mayor William Bell has been pushing the bond referendum this week. He wants about $75 million to be spent immediately on landfill expansion, street and sidewalk repairs, park improvements and sewer upgrades.

UAB political expert Larry Powell says a lot is riding on this referendum for Bell.

"If it passes and he has got the support from the voters of Birmingham and has also got some money he can use for popular projects. If it doesn't pass he has got turned down from the voters then it limits his ability to do the things he wants to do," Powell said.

Critics of the bond vote question adding so much to the city's debt. The debt will be paid off by the city's current property taxes and no new taxes will be needed.

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