By John Dobberstein, Editor
Voters in Broken Arrow approved a record $415 million general obligation bond package Tuesday that will expand the city’s museums, parks and community facilities, further reshape the Rose District, widen major streets and address drainage and stormwater hot spots across the city.
But they soundly voted down Proposition 8, a request to increase the city’s sales tax by 0.5% through 2031 to fund $46 million in improvements to the Indian Springs, Arrowhead, Challenger and Nienhaus sports complexes.
Tuesday’s results are the conclusion of nearly 3 years of surveys, group meetings, forums and other events to gather input for the list of projects going onto the ballot.
City Council members and city staff have held more than 50 meetings with HOAs, community groups and others to discuss the bond package and answer questions, which were attended by groups of a few people to more than 100.
None of the first 7 propositions — which the city promised would not raise property taxes — was in any danger of being voted down, as they all enjoyed at least 65% support among voters. The margin of victory was slightly tighter in Wagoner County, with the “no” votes 5-8 percentage points higher than in Tulsa County.
To date, voters have approved 8 bond packages in the last 29 years, including the last one in 2018 that included 6 propositions comprising in a $210 million bond program — the majority of which ($142.6 million) addressing transportation.
Additionally, Broken Arrow voters living in Tulsa County approved a 13-year, 6/10 of one penny sales tax increase to fund economic, educational and quality of life projects, such as expansion of NSU Broken Arrow, the Rose District, and the Nienhuis Aquatic Center.
In 2015, voters approved the renewal of the expiring sales tax of the Vision 2025 initiative.
Here are some highlights of the projects approved:
Proposition 1: The infrastructure needs of Broken Arrow’s transportation system is the primary focus of Proposition 1 with some $205 million worth of road widening and intersection improvements on the docket in the coming years.
Proposition 2: Totaling $56 million, this proposition covers a variety of investments with city buildings, equipment and communications. The biggest ticket is $18.4 million to purchase and equip new fire trucks, ambulances and emergency vehicles.
Proposition 3: The big-ticket project is the $42 million multi-purpose community center that would support fitness programming and other activities. Splash pads, new playground equipment, pickleball courts, a new dog park and renovation of the Central Park Community Center are also included.
Proposition 4: This directs $65 million in expansions, relocations and improvements for several community institutions that have already proven popular with Broken Arrow residents, including the Senior Center, Veterans Center, Rose District Plaza, Arts @ 302, The Museum Broken Arrow and Oklahoma Military History Museum.
Propositions 5 and 6: Proposition 5 directs $6 million for stormwater projects in several spots in Broken Arrow, including drainage pond improvements for Madison and Birch Street drainage improvements in the Rose District and other projects. Proposition 6 brings another $6 million to improve drainage, with the priority on the Haikey Creek, Adams Creek, Broken Arrow Creek and Elm and Aspen Creek basins.
Proposition 7: Voters approved contributing $4 million toward a partnership with the Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) system to replace the current South Broken Arrow Library with brand new building. TCCL has raised $6.6 million for the project through planned capital savings and private fundraising.
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