City unveils $2.7 billion 2025 bond package and sets October election after broad public outreach

Oklahoma City — City staff on Tuesday introduced a proposed $2.7 billion bond program that would fund 11 propositions including streets and bridges, traffic systems, drainage, police and fire facilities, transit, parks, libraries and economic development, and set a special election for Oct. 14.

The City Council voted unanimously to authorize the city to call the election and to adopt a proclamation initiating the ballot measures; the council will consider final adoption July 15 before sending the measures to a fall ballot.

City staff said the bond list is the product of an extended public engagement and prioritization process. Assistant City Manager Aubrey McDermott said staff held 24 in‑person events, eight open houses, 16 pop‑up community events and an expanded web presence that drew more than 14,000 visits. Residents and stakeholders submitted roughly 6,030 project ideas via an interactive map, McDermott said, and planning staff used a scoring framework to trim a needs list from about $7 billion to a fiscally realistic package.

Debbie (last name given in staff materials) and other department leaders told council the adopted package targets core infrastructure: 76% of projects are designated critical infrastructure and about 56% of bond dollars are allocated to streets, bridges and traffic improvements. Staff said the streets proposition alone accounts for roughly half of the package — about $1.35 billion — and includes residential and arterial resurfacing, 27 street‑widening projects, and roughly 150 miles of sidewalks prioritized for school and park access.

Other highlights staff presented: funding for 44 drainage projects (identified from a long‑running complaint database and basin studies), an annex and laboratory for police and municipal courts, seven fire projects including four new stations and completion of a public safety training center, transit facility needs and a downtown parking garage that staff said could support monthly parking and rail passengers, and economic development and community‑support programs including $50 million for affordable housing. Staff said they also included contingency “unlisted” funds to address future cost escalation or unforeseen needs during the bond implementation period.

Council members praised the breadth of the outreach and the emphasis on basic infrastructure while noting the need to balance investments across wards. City Manager Craig Freeman emphasized the city’s ongoing commitment to maintain an average millage rate in the neighborhood of 16 mills and said the program is structured to use the city’s bonding capacity without proposing a tax increase.

Next steps: Planning Commission recommended the bond package to council. Council scheduled a final hearing and adoption for July 15; if adopted the ballot would be set for Oct. 14. Staff said additional resident engagement and project‑level outreach would continue through the summer and fall to refine program details and implementation plans.

Notes: The bond package and vote are city‑level capital decisions; specific project lists, timelines and financing plans will be developed once council completes the authorization steps and as staff refines cost estimates and schedules.