BROKEN ARROW, Ok — Broken Arrow voters will decide April 7 on a bond package totaling more than $415 million from eight propositions that could reshape the city for years to come.
WATCH: Broken Arrow voters to decide $415 M bond package: What it means for your taxes:
What's on it?
- Proposition 1 is the largest piece of the package at $205 million, covering roads, intersections, sidewalks, and trails.
- Proposition 2 allocates $56 million for public safety, including upgrades for police, fire, and outdoor warning sirens.
- Proposition 3 would direct $74 million toward a new community center at Elam Park, along with playground equipment upgrades and new pickleball courts.
- Proposition 4 sets aside $65 million to improve public facilities, including the Rose District Plaza, the Senior Center, and the Veterans Center.
- Propositions 5 and 6 combine for $11 million to address flooding on both public and private property.
- Proposition 7 dedicates $4 million to a new, larger South Broken Arrow Library.
For tax bills, there is notable news: if Propositions 1 through 7 pass, the property tax rate remains same.
Proposition 8 is a different story. It asks voters to approve a temporary half-cent sales tax increase for five years, generating $53 million for sports facilities. That includes upgrades at Arrowhead Softball Complex, Indian Springs Sports Complex, and Nienhuis Park.
What do people think?
Steven Jones moved to Broken Arrow in 2005. He said he supports the package.
"I think we as a city need to stand behind a lot of this because you know if you want to have a better city, you have to spend the money for it. Bottom line," Jones said.
WATCH: Broken Arrow voters to decide on $415M bond package: What it means for your taxes
Jones believes the investment reflects the realities of a growing city.
"I would support the package because, do we want a safe city? Yes. Do we want good streets? Yes. Do we all want to have to wait to go through the process of the repairs? No. It just comes with growth," Jones said.
Other Broken Arrow residents got their first crack at learning, listening, and giving their own voice to the city about the bond package on March 2 at the Union 8th Grade Center in the first of four scheduled public information sessions.
"(If the bonds failed to pass) you would be quickly coming to us, saying, 'Why are you not fixing this street? Why is that atom sewer not getting fixed? Why are the facilities looking horrible?'" Mayor Debra Wimpee told attendees. "That's because we don't have the funding to cover it."
David Handzlik said he'd like funding to maintain his local streets, so he backs the package.
"It looks like it's going to be alright. A lot of it seems to be coming along pretty good," Handzlik said. "They spend a lot of money on it. So they seem to know what they're doing."
Local accountant Brent Watson threw in his two cents against Proposition 8, which raises sales taxes by an extra half a percent temporarily for five years.
"Over five years would cost a family of four about $1200," Watson told 2 News. "So this is a significant cost to citizens, and I cannot support seeing our sales tax raise over and over and over, to over 10%."
At the beginning of the public meeting City Manager Michael Spurgeon argued the city has historically followed through on its bonds and investments.
"And that's what this bond package does," Spurgeon told the audience. "It continues the council's goal of bringing people together to maintain that small town feel."
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