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Council hears general obligation bond update; public forums to narrow $600M-plus project list for potential ballot
Summary
City staff reported turnout and priorities from the first public forum on a proposed general obligation bond program, announced two remaining forums, and discussed next steps for narrowing more than $600 million of proposed projects toward a likely $400 million ballot package.
Broken Arrow, Okla. — City staff told the Broken Arrow City Council on Sept. 2 that the first public forum on possible general obligation bond propositions drew more than 70 residents and showed strong interest in transportation projects, and that two remaining forums will give residents more chances to set priorities before staff tabulates results.
At the meeting the staff presentation said more than 70 residents attended the first forum and that, across interactive tables, transportation projects (asphalt and concrete repairs) attracted the most interest. City staff said they are collecting resident input to narrow a list of a little over $600 million in candidate projects toward approximately $400 million in propositions that could appear on a future ballot. Staff said the next public forum is scheduled for tomorrow night at the Varsity Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Why it matters: The bond program would affect the city’s property tax rate and fund capital projects such as roads, parks, senior facilities and sports fields. Public preference at these forums will guide which projects are placed into specific propositions for voter consideration.
City staff said sports user groups were engaged during late August outreach; the user groups expressed interest in a proposition focused on sports facilities because of those facilities’ frequent use and economic benefits. Staff said they plan to survey organized sports user groups about the possibility of a specific proposition for sports fields on the April 7 ballot. Shannon Marshall, special projects division manager, said department heads provided feedback on program needs and that council will set, by ordinance, which projects make each proposition at the first meeting in January in order to meet a 75-day statutory pre-election deadline.
Council members and staff also discussed early design renderings for a proposed senior activity center and community concerns that a rendering’s roof height might not accommodate pickleball. One councilor noted the drawings shown were conceptual renderings and not a final design and that staff had not decided to remove any pickleball courts.
Public engagement timeline and next steps: After the third forum later this month, staff will tabulate priorities and present a narrowed package for council review. Staff emphasized public education efforts will begin early next year in advance of an April 7 special election and that visuals and outreach will be expanded once council finalizes which projects will be placed into propositions.
Ending: Council members encouraged residents to attend the remaining forums and said staff will return with tabulated results and recommended proposition groupings in the coming months.
