Voters on Tuesday will decide two tax questions in the City of Bartlesville municipal election calling for an extension of the current ¼-cent economic development sales tax and a proposed 4/10 of a cent sales tax increase for city.
The propositions will be presented as separate propositions on the ballot.
Election day is Tuesday, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All registered voters who live in Bartlesville are eligible to take part in the election.
Proposition One: 1/4-cent economic development sales tax
The ¼-cent economic development sales tax was implemented in 1987 and has been renewed by voters five consecutive times.
Where does the money go?
The tax has resulted in the creation of nearly 2,500 direct and indirect jobs, and has helped promote new and existing business in Bartlesville, according to information provided by David Wood, president/CEO of the Bartlesville Development Authority.
Past revenues from the tax have helped create and secure jobs at numerous local businesses including SGS, Siemens, ABB, Wal-Mart DC and Sitel, adding $29 million to the community’s annual payroll. Retail development completed thanks to the tax include the recruitment of Hideaway Pizza and Dollar General and the planned expansion of Atwoods — an impressive line-up considering the BDA was authorized to focus on retail development less than two years ago.
“The BDA has been able to fund a number of projects through the economic development tax, and we’re confident that we’ll be able to continue our mission of recruiting new primary jobs and targeted brand retail to Bartlesville,” Wood said.
Plans for future revenue
Plans for future revenue generated by the extension of the sales tax include major retail development, redevelopment and expansion of existing retail as well as recruiting new, targeted brands to the area.
Proposition Two: 4/10 of a cent operational sales tax
The proposed 4/10 of a cent sales tax increase is expected to generate an additional $2 million annually for the city’s general fund, which provides funding for 18 of the city’s 22 departments — including the two largest, police and fire.
Plans for the funds include:
- Three additional firefighters
- Five additional police officers
- Two additional public safety workers
- Ten additional road crew workers
- Capital improvements such as equipment, drainage improvements, parks and street repairs
Why sales tax?
Oklahoma is the only state in the U.S. that restricts municipalities to sales tax for operations. By contrast, the State of Oklahoma uses income tax, sales tax, motor vehicle tax and gross production tax (oil and gas).
“There’s really no other choice,” said City Manager Ed Gordon. “The State of Oklahoma restricts municipalities primarily to sales tax for operations. It is the only state in the U.S. with this restriction.”
Public safety
Restoring public safety positions is a top priority for funding, city officials say. The needed funds will be generated by the 4/10 of a cent increase, if passed by voters on Tuesday.
“Starting with public safety, we will first address vacancies caused by recent revenue shortfalls and return the fire department back to full staff as well as add five police officers back to the force,” said Administrative Director/CFO Mike Bailey. “It’s important to note that the public’s safety and the safety of our officers and firefighters has not been endangered due to these vacancies, but we are beginning to burn our existing staff out. Filling these positions will ensure that we stay adequately staffed, even during times of temporary vacancies.”
Bailey notes the importance of retaining public safety personnel, pointing to the required long training periods.
“It takes six to nine months, for instance, to train and replace a police officer,” he said.
Another area of public safety that will be addressed with the revenue is code enforcement.
“Code enforcement officers ensure that property is maintained to a safe standard and does not become a hazard or nuisance for a neighborhood,” Bailey said. “In the past the City was able to abate these nuisances, but with current staff levels, the City can only write tickets to property owners who frequently live elsewhere or own property through layers of LLCs. The additional staff will allow the City to return to abating nuisances and be more proactive in this area.”
Road crews
Ten additional road crew employees will also be added to restore manpower for mowing/weed eating, pothole repair and residential concrete repair.
“The additional personnel proposed in the increase will allow for more timely and thorough maintenance of our streets, roads, bridges and rights of way,” Bailey said.
Capital projects
Also planned is the expenditure of $550,000 on capital projects, which currently are restricted to funds that are scheduled years in advance as part of five- to 10-year capital plans.
“These funds will allow greater flexibility and can be used to address unforeseen needs as they arise,” Bailey said.
Citizens for City Progress
Citizens for City Progress, a group of local volunteers who raised funds to campaign for support for both questions, say passage of both proposals is important to the city’s future.
“Both of these initiatives are critical to Bartlesville’s short-term and long-term success,” said Mike Wilt, CCP chairman. “The economic development sales tax extension will allow us to build on achievements we’ve enjoyed for the past 25 years. The 4/10 of a penny for operations will restore the City of Bartlesville to the level it needs to be to do all of the things we as citizens expect to be done — and done well.
“A city must have enough confidence in itself to invest in itself.”
If passed, the 4/10 of a cent increase would go into effect Jan. 1, 2016 and would begin generating revenue in March or April of 2016.
More information
For more information about the propositions, call 918-338-4132 or email kwilliams@cityofbartlesville.org.
For information on polling places or other election-related information, call the Washington County Election Board at 918-337-2850.
For detailed information about both proposals, view the City’s Sales tax slide presentation at www.cityofbartlesville.org.