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2003
SALES TAX ELECTION INFORMATION:
The 2003 Third Penny Sales Tax Election was called for the purpose of asking the citizens of Owasso to remove the time restrictions for the Third Penny Sales Tax. Previous to the 2003 election (1983, 1988, and 1997) the citizens were asked to levy the Third Penny for a specific time period (ten years or seven years). However, in an effort to provide for better long range capital planning, the City Council asked Owasso voters for authority to have the Third Penny for an indefinite period. As a part of the campaign for that authority, the city Council recognized and provided for changing priorities within the City’s capital Improvements Program. Thus the voters were provided with a “four-tiered” list of “possible” projects. Tier One projects were considered as “high priority” projects as of 2003 and it was generally understood that those projects (see attached) would be undertaken in the first years immediately after the election. The remaining projects were of lower priority and were divided into Tiers Two, Three, and Four. It was clear that those projects were “potentially” important to the City but it was also made clear during the campaign that the basic reason for extending the Third Penny without an ending date was so that changing priorities could be quickly addressed. Toward that end, the voters approved specific language in the ordinance that required the Capital Improvements Committee to review annually the proposed projects and then recommend to the City Council a list of projects for funding. The Council also recognized the need for transparency in this process and also required a Public Hearing for those recommended projects but did not allow for a vote on the same date as the hearing. In fact, the vote on final approval of the priority list was required to take place no sooner than two weeks from the date of the Public Hearing.
It must be noted that the Tier Concept was utilized solely to ensure voters were aware that not all capital projects could be undertaken immediately after the vote and that project priorities would change over the years so as to accommodate the changing needs of the City. While many of the projects contained in various tiers have been listed on the annual priority list, the use of the “tier” language was never intended to survive the election as a “cast-in-stone” plan for Capital Improvement Projects.
In order for the project
prioritization list to change, the Capital Improvements Committee must
conduct a review of the proposed changes, followed by the City Council
conducting a public hearing and, after a two-week period, pass a resolution
that approves the proposed changes.
COMPLETED PROJECTS TO DATE:
The following projects have been completed as a result of funding from the 2003 Third Penny Sales Tax Election:
Again, it is important to note that many of the above completed projects were not on the original project list and were only added after a review of the proposed changes was conducted by the Capital Improvements Committee, followed by the City Council conducting a public hearing, and after a two-week period, the passage of a resolution by the City Council. Copies of all resolutions that were passed by the City Council that relate to changing priorities are also attached for your information and review.
PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:
The following projects are in the process of being completed at this time:
A review of the information provided indicates that the City of Owasso and its leadership have completed far more in the first eight years after passage of the Third Penny Sales Tax Election than was ever imagined in 2003, and is not ignoring projects. A copy of what was promised prior to 2003, and what has been completed, is available below.
2003 THIRD PENNY PROJECT TIERS:
The 2003 Third Penny Sales Tax Election contained four tiers of projects. Tier 1 Projects were estimated to be completed within 1-3 years of passage; Tier 2 Projects were estimated to be completed within 3-5 years, Tier 3 Projects 5-7 years, and Tier 4 Projects 7-10 years. Below is a breakdown of the projects as they were presented to the voters in 2003 by tier – a copy of which is also available on this website. It must be noted that the Tier Concept was utilized solely to ensure voters were aware that not all capital projects could be undertaken immediately after the vote and that project priorities would change over the years so as to accommodate the changing needs of the City. While many of the projects contained in various tiers have been listed on the annual priority list, the use of the “tier” language was never intended to survive the election as a “cast-in-stone” plan for Capital Improvement Projects.
OWASSO SALES TAX WATCHDOG COMMITTEE:
The Owasso Sales Tax Watchdog Committee was created to review and monitor all spending of third penny revenues. The committee reviews all spending to ensure that all of the projects that are promised actually get completed and that no revenues from the penny go towards anything except capital improvement projects. This committee is chaired by Ms. Brenda Snow of F&M Bank and meets twice each year – in January and July – to fulfill this responsibility. Membership positions on this committee consist of the following: Media (1) Retail Business (2) Service Business (2) Education (1) Recreation (1) Building Industry (1) Senior Citizen (1) Financial (1) Members-at-Large (5)
LINKS:
3rd Penny Neighborhood Meeting Handouts Resolution for Approval of Tier 1 Projects # 2004-01 Resolution for Priority Determination Capital Improvement Projects # 2004-11 Resolution Amending Priority Determination Capital Improvement Projects # 2005-15 Resolution Amending Priority Determination Capital Improvement Projects # 2006-10 Resolution Amending Priority Determination of Capital Improvement Projects # 2007-05 Resolution Amending Priority Determination of Capital Improvement Projects #2008-01 Watchdog Committee Progress Report
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