Edmond city manager reports small sales-tax decline and outlines $9.9 million Danforth–Kelly intersection upgrade
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Summary
City Manager Mr. Hins reported a modest year-to-date decline in combined sales and use tax, outlined two upcoming sales-tax renewal propositions for November, and described a federally supported $9.9 million reconstruction of the Danforth and Kelly intersection.
Mr. Hins, the city manager, told the Edmond City Council the latest monthly sales-tax figures show a small decline and briefed the council on a major intersection reconstruction. Combined sales and use taxes were down 1.38 percent compared with the prior year; sales tax alone was down 0.93 percent for the reporting month and down 0.86 percent year to date, while use tax rose 3.59 percent for the month but remained down roughly 3.7 percent year to date.
The council was advised that voters will decide Nov. 18 on renewals of two sales-tax measures. ‘‘Proposition 1 is the 1¢ general fund sales tax,’’ Mr. Hins said. ‘‘It was first approved in 1977. It funds the daily operations of the city for 32 different divisions, two-thirds of which go to police and fire. Proposition 2 is a half-cent CIP project tax. It will be dedicated to fund roads, road improvements and traffic flow. These are renewals only. They will not raise the current sales tax rate which remains at 8.25 percent.’’ Mr. Hins directed listeners to edmondok.gov/salestax for details.
On infrastructure, Mr. Hins described a $9,900,000 reconstruction at Danforth and Kelly, one of Edmond’s busiest intersections, which handles roughly 50,000 vehicles daily. Planned work includes dual left-turn lanes in all directions, right-turn lanes on Danforth and southbound Kelly, raised medians, ADA-compliant sidewalks and a new traffic signal at Hawthorne and Kelly. The project is managed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation with federal funding; the city’s share was reported as about $2,300,000.
Mr. Hins said the project will take about 210 days, weather permitting, and that police are monitoring the area for safety and traffic compliance. He acknowledged the inconvenience to nearby neighborhoods and businesses and said engineering staff will monitor progress and adjust traffic plans as needed.
No council action was required on the update; the briefing preceded multiple consent and public-hearing items on the agenda.
