Broken Arrow survey shows 68% support for a temporary 0.5¢ sales tax to fund sports facilities; staff recommends adding proposition to 2026 bond package

Aaron McCullough, a member of the City of Broken Arrow communications team, told the council that a city Polco micro‑survey of 3,304 respondents produced 68% support for a potential temporary sales‑tax increase of 0.5 cents to fund sports‑facility improvements. McCullough said 88% of respondents identified as registered Broken Arrow voters and that the survey was open for three weeks, ending Oct. 13. He provided demographic breakdowns; for example, households with children under 17 were more likely to support the measure (reported 78% support among that subgroup). McCullough also noted outreach channels used: email blasts, social media and the city website.

City manager Michael Spurgeon told council members that staff is preparing a 2026 general obligation bond package that will consolidate earlier project lists into a roughly $404 million program. He recommended the council consider adding the sports‑facility proposition as an eighth ballot proposition and said staff is aiming to present the final ordinance and resolution calling the election at the Jan. 2, 2026 meeting so the measure could appear on an April 7 ballot. Spurgeon and council members emphasized that, if the proposition were placed on the ballot and passed, the projects should start promptly so residents who voted for the measure would see benefits within the stated five‑year period rather than waiting a decade.

Councilors asked for details on survey methodology and timing; McCullough reiterated the three‑week field period and described spikes in responses tied to targeted email reminders. Council members and staff noted public forums and advisory user‑group meetings held in August and September that informed the project list and said further public meetings and refinements to the package would occur in October and November and again in January when staff brings recommended project prioritization.

Next steps: staff will return with a recommendation narrowing the capital‑projects list and proposed ballot language for council consideration; the council will decide whether to include the sports proposition alongside the other bond propositions before the ordinance and resolution that call the election are finalized.