City of Bartlesville CIP, GO Bond elections set for August 25
In less than three weeks Bartlesville voters will go to the polls — or utilize early voting options — to decide funding for several proposed capital projects, the majority of which includes improvements to the City’s streets, bridges and drainage infrastructure.
The City of Bartlesville special election set for Aug. 25 includes two elections: the 2020 General Obligation Bond and the half-cent Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) sales tax extension.
Approval of the measures will result in funding for nearly $30 million for the city’s capital projects over the next several years — without increasing taxes for Bartlesville residents.
“These elections are extremely important to our city because they determine funding for projects that improve our infrastructure and help keep our citizens safe,” said City Manager Mike Bailey. “The City of Bartlesville relies on G.O. Bond and CIP sales tax funding for all its capital needs. And it’s important to note that these are continuations of existing programs and their approval will not result in a tax increase.”
Bailey said that while past bond issues have been used to fund some large projects — such as the recently completed Tower Center at Unity Square at Sixth Street and Dewey Avenue — both the 2020 GO Bond and CIP sales tax extension funding will primarily be used to improve existing infrastructure
“The projects put forward in these elections by the City Council are primarily aimed at building upon what we already have,” he said. “While it is always important to support projects that enhance our quality of life and help bring economic development dollars to our city, these particular elections are geared more toward maintenance and much needed improvements to many of our existing systems.
“Approval of this funding will allow us to replace aging police and fire vehicles, upgrade our emergency communications systems, repair two of the city’s bridges, complete numerous road rehabilitations and make upgrades to several City facilities.”
G.O. Bond
Voters will consider projects proposed for G.O. Bond funding in four categories, presented as four separate propositions on the ballot:
Proposition No. 1
Funding for a 95-foot tower/ladder truck for the fire department is proposed in the 2020 GO Bond Election.
Public Safety Buildings and Equipment ($3,993,000)
Proposition No. 2
Municipal Buildings and Equipment ($1,408,000)
Proposition No. 3
Streets and Bridges ($8,274,000)
Proposition No. 4
Parks and Recreation ($2,725,000)
G.O. Bond projects total $16.4 million and will be issued over a period of three years. Some projects planned expenditures for the funding include:
- Replacement of a 95-foot tower/ladder fire truck and equipment
- Emergency communications infrastructure/radio system
- Repairs to the Bartlesville Public Library chillers, roof and skylight
- 2 bridge rehabilitations
- Numerous street projects
- Lighting at Robinwood Park soccer fields
- Parking lot and road repairs at several City parks
- Fire station roof replacements
Half-cent CIP sales tax extension (Proposition No. 5)
The CIP ballot includes projects totaling $13.7 million. Approval would extend the tax, which has been supported by voters since 1990, for another five years.
The Oak Park basketball court is in need of resurfacing.
Some projects set for completion with the funding are:
- 8 new police cars
- 10 body-worn cameras for police (continuation of an existing, ongoing program)
- Replacement of several mowers and other equipment for several City departments
- General street repairs
- Pathfinder Parkway maintenance
- Sooner and Frontier pool liner repair
- Oak Park basketball court
- Sunset Pathfinder extension and pedestrian bridge (phase 1 of project)
- Security lighting for parks
- Choctaw Drainage System repairs
Dates to remember
Aug. 18
Deadline to request absentee ballot
Aug. 20-21
Early voting 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days
(Saturday voting is not available in this election as there are no state or federal races on the ballot, according to the Washington County Election Board.)
Aug. 25
Election Day
More information
For more information about registration, absentee ballots or early voting, see Oklahoma State Election Board or call the Washington County Election Board at 918.337.2850.
For general information about the elections or to view a complete list of proposed projects and expenditures, see www.cityofbartlesville.org’s Capital Elections 2020: FAQ, projects.
Information is also available at BvilleBond.com, a website created and maintained by Granger Meador as a community service, and at the Citizens for City Progress’s Facebook page GO Bartlesville. A slide presentation is available at BvilleBond.com as well.
For more information, contact us at rebanes@cityofbartlesville.org or kwilliams@cityofbartlesville.org, or by calling 918.338.4282 or 918.338.4132.