Bartlesville voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly said “Yes” to two sales tax questions that local leaders say are critical to the community’s future growth and success.
Passage of the propositions means an existing ¼-cent economic development sales tax will be renewed and a 4/10 of a cent sales tax increase for City operations will go into effect in January 2016.
“The changes in the economic environment over the last ten years is requiring Bartlesville to transform itself in a number of ways to remain the successful quality City we all expect it to be,” said Mayor Tom Gorman. “I am proud of the confidence the citizens of Bartlesville have in our City and its leadership in the passing of the two sales tax initiatives yesterday, which will pave the way for a continued bright future for Bartlesville.”
“I can’t thank the voters enough for the faith that they have shown in their City Council and staff,” said Administrative Director/CFO Mike Bailey. “This is a huge step forward for Bartlesville that will allow us to restore local government services to the level that our citizens have requested.
“I’m proud to be part of a community that has the courage to invest in the things that are important to all of us.”
Mike Wilt, a former state representative and chair of the Citizens for City Progress Committee, a group of volunteers who organized the campaign in support of the tax questions, said passage of the proposals is the beginning of a “new chapter” in Bartlesville’s history.
“I’m very pleased with the results and very grateful for the support,” Wilt said. “Bartlesville voters recognized the importance of continuing our economic development efforts and the need to return our city operations to the level they need to be to do all of the things we expect to be done.
“Both of these proposals were absolutely critical for our wonderful community. I believe we’ll be able to look back on this election one day and see it as the beginning of another remarkable chapter in our history.”
The propositions
Economic development sales tax extension
According to unofficial results reported by the Washington County Election board, Proposition One — which called for an extension of the existing ¼-cent economic development sales tax — passed handily with 67.22 percent of the vote. Implemented in 1987 and renewed by voters five consecutive times, revenue generated from the economic development sales tax is used to help promote business and job growth and retention.
Extension of the tax was passed with 1,987 “Yes” votes, overriding 969 “No” votes cast.
Plans for future revenue generated by the extension of the sales tax include continued primary industry recruitment and expansion, major retail development, redevelopment and expansion of existing retail as well as recruiting new, targeted brands to the area.
4/10-cent sales tax increase for operations
Proposition Two — a 4/10 of a cent sales tax increase for City operations — drew the support of 60.32 percent of voters, with 1,780 voters saying “Yes” to the measure, compared to just 1,171, or 39.68 percent, saying “No.”
The 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
The sales tax increase will go into effect Jan. 1, 2016.
“We should start receiving revenue from the 4/10 of a cent sales tax increase in March or April of 2016,” Bailey said.