Bartlesville voters will soon decide the outcome of five ballot propositions aimed at continuing the City’s capital programs and economic development funding.
Up for consideration are:
- 2026 General Obligation Bond Issue (Propositions 1, 2, and 3)
- 1/4-cent Economic Development Sales Tax Extension (Proposition 4)
- 1/2-cent Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Sales Tax Extension (Proposition 5)
Early voting will be held at the Election Board Office on Thursday, Feb. 5, and Friday, Feb. 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Election Day is Feb. 10.
NO TAX INCREASE
Approval of the measures will not result in a tax increase but rather extend the existing CIP and Economic Development sales taxes for another five years. Approval of the G.O. Bond would keep the City’s mill levy at 15, resulting in no fluctuation in the City’s portion of property tax.
G.O. Bonds and the 1/2-cent CIP Sales Tax are the funding mechanisms used to fund the city’s capital needs. This includes equipment, facilities, and infrastructure. The 1/4-cent ED Sales Tax funds Bartlesville’s economic development and tourism programs.
All three programs have been in place since the mid-1980s and have been approved by voters every five years since.
Some projects completed with these funds in the past are Bartlesville Community Center renovations, Police Station construction, Central Fire Station renovation, Bonsack Avenue, Silver Lake Road extension, Unity Square, slides at Sooner Pool, recruitment of thousands of primary industry jobs, Walmart Distribution Center, Silver Lake Village Shopping Center, numerous business expansions, and employee recruitment incentives.
ON THE BALLOT
Combined, the CIP sales tax and G.O. Bonds will generate $35 million for projects (including $500,000 for Cost of Issuance), with the majority of the funds — $18.2 million — going to street projects. The smallest portion, $3.5 million, will be dedicated to parks, $5.4 million to public safety equipment, and $7.4 million to municipal buildings and equipment.
Project highlights include:
- Storm siren system upgrade
- Fire truck replacement
- Police car and general fleet replacements (for vehicles 10 years or older)
- Lighting upgrades at The Center
- Artificial turf (four fields) at Price Fields Sports Complex
- Pathfinder Parkway improvements
- Mowers and other equipment required to maintain parks and rights of way
- Core servers
See more information about projects HERE.
See the complete list of projects HERE.
See more information about Economic Development and Tourism HERE.
WHEN & WHERE TO VOTE
In-person early voting will be held 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 at the Washington County Election Board. Note: Saturday voting is not available for this election.
The Election Board is located on the fourth floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. in downtown Bartlesville.
Bartlesville residents can vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 at their local polling place.
For more information, contact the Washington County Election Board at 918.337.2850 or go online to the Oklahoma State Election board website. On the Oklahoma State Election board website, you can use the “OK Voter Portal” to confirm your voter registration, view sample ballots, find your polling place, change your address or party affiliation and more.
MORE INFORMATION
Information about all five proposals is available on the City website, www.cityofbartlesville.org, in City Beat, Archived editions, the MyBartlesville Mobile App, and the City’s Facebook City of Bartlesville GOV and YouTube City of Bartlesville YouTube accounts.
“Anyone who has questions is welcome to contact us,” said Bailey. “We are happy to answer any questions anyone has, and I know that goes for the Council as well. All five councilors have worked diligently in bringing these proposals to the voters, and I know they would be happy to talk with any of their constituents as well.”