Voters could decide funding for several upcoming projects during an October General Obligation Bond Election, pending approval from the Bartlesville City Council in July.
City staff has spend the past several months compiling information about requested projects and whitling the $30 million “wish list” down to $17.6 million.
“There are always more projects and equipment requested than there is money, so the process of thinning that list to fit the funding is never easy,” said City Manager Mike Bailey. “But staff has done a good job of prioritizing the requests, and we will present those to the City Council during a workshop meeting on May 15.”
The workshop meeting is for discussion only but will give the council an opportunity to weigh in on the staff recommendations before the process moves forward.
“Staff recommendations are based on several components, including our volunteer, citizen-driven committees, citizen complaints and input, and the observations and experience of our department directors,” Bailey said. “Council members also offer input during this process based on the needs of their wards and the priorities of their constituents. This allows us to consider all the needs from a variety of perspectives, which is an important part of meeting the needs of the community the best we can given our funding limitations.”
Bailey said once all the input is gathered, City staff will further narrow the list to ensure that approval by voters at the ballot box won’t mean a tax increase for taxpayers.
“After combining all of these avenues of input, staff is tasked with identifying projects for City Council approval and keeping the funding low enough to ensure that our millage rates do not increase,” he said. “That means the tax base will remain the same, and approval of these measures will not result in a tax increase for citizens.”
Staff recommended projects primarily consist of the following:
- Streets
- Sooner Pool expansion Phase 2
- Adams Golf Course greens replacement
- City facility upgrades
- Park projects, including Pathfinder repairs
- IT upgrades
- Equipment for City departments
The council will hear recommendations during the May 15 workshop meeting at City Hall, 401 Johnstone Ave., which the public is invited to attend. A public hearing will be held during the regular City Council meeting in June. It is anticipated the council will call for an election during its July meeting, and that the election will be held on Oct. 10.