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

2003 SALES TAX ELECTION INFORMATION:

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.

Tier 1   1-3 Years

129^th E. Avenue, 76^th to 96^th

Signalization of Interchange at 96^th Street North, 169, and N. 129^th E. Avenue

Sports Park Expansion

Storm Siren System

YMCA/Pool

Tier 2 – 3-5 Years

96th Street North – Garnett Road to Owasso Market

86^th Street North – Main to Mingo

Residential Street Overlay, Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk

Main Street Redevelopment

Sports Park Field Construction

Tier 3 – 5-7 Years

96^th Street North – 129^th E. Avenue to 145^th E. Avenue

145^th E. Avenue – 86^th to 116^th Street North

Garnett Road – 86^th to 116^th Street North

Tier 4 – 7-10 Years

76^th Street North – 169 to 129^th E. Avenue

Additional Police Station

Recreational Trail Improvements

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 insure 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. 
In every instance of a change in the priorities, all of the above occurred.

COMPLETED PROJECTS TO DATE:

The following projects have been completed as a result of funding from the 2003 Third Penny Sales Tax Election:

Fire Station #2 Remodel

Fire Station #3

86^th and Mingo Intersection

86^th Street Widening

Street Improvements FY 2007

Street Improvements FY 2008

Preliminary Engineering for Intersections (4)

Sports Park Expansion through FY 2007

Sports Park South Baseball Field #1

Computerization

96 & 129^th E. Avenue Intersection

96 & Hwy 169 Interchange

86^th and Main Intersection ROW

96^th Street Widening – Garnett to Owasso Market

Garnett Widening (86^th to 96^th)

Silvercreek Drainage

YMCA Pool

N. 129^th E. Avenue Widening - 76^th to 96th

Main Street Redevelopment
 
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:

86^th Street Widening – Main to Memorial

Sports Park FY 2009

Tulsa Tech Land

Tulsa Tech Access Road (N. 140th East Ave)

Street Improvements FY 2009

106^th and Garnett Intersection

A review of the information provided indicates that the City of Owasso and its leadership have completed far more in the first five years after passage of the Third Penny Sales Tax Election than was ever imagined in 2003 and is not ignoring projects.  Historically the City of Owasso has completed every project it promised it would complete with the third penny.  A copy of what was promised prior to 2003, and what has been completed, is also available on this website.

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 (4)

A copy of the most recent Sales Tax Watchdog Committee Report is also available on this website.

In closing, and perhaps most importantly, would be the desire to sum up the City of Owasso ’s processes as transparent.  All of the City’s meetings – Capital Improvements Committee, Sales Tax Watchdog Committee, Annexation Committee, Planning Commission and City Council are open to the public.  The agendas for each are posted on the City’s website and any member of the public can request a copy be mailed to them directly.

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