2014 Bond

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Positioning Broken Arrow for the Future

Streets, Parks, Public Safety, Buildings, Flood Control and More

On August 26, 2014, residents approved a bond package that will finance much needed infrastructure improvements, equip public safety personnel to protect and serve citizens, and create new parks and recreational facilities for residents to enjoy.

Voters also approved plans to move forward with a Conference/Convention Center off the Broken Arrow Expressway near Bass Pro Shops and a Creative Arts Center in the Rose District.

Property taxes will not increase as a result of approving these projects. The City will only issue new bonds as old bonds are paid off.

This page serves as a resource for citizens, who desire more information regarding projects that make up the 2014 general obligation (GO) bond program. Frequently asked questions are listed below, along with links to other helpful documents.

Questions may be directed to the Communications Director at 918-259-8419.

Ward Meeting Presentation

View Video
Citizen Questions and Answers

Helpful Documents

1997-2014 GO Bond Projects Status (Revised July 17, 2018)
2014 GO Bond Brochure (included with utility bill)
2014 GO Bond Map (included with utility bill)
FAQ Sheet
Project Summary
Proposed 2014 GO Bond Presented to City Council June 9, 2014
Proposition Numbers 1 to 8 for August 26 Ballot

What is a general obligation bond?

What is a general obligation bond, and why does the city use this type of financing?

A general obligation (GO) bond allows the City to finance large projects, such as the building of roads, new infrastructure, public buildings, and parks facilities - improvements that ensure BA keeps up with growth and continues to provide a high quality of life.

A GO bond is a common type of municipal bond in the United States. The issuer pledges part of the ad valorem tax rate from all assessable property within its jurisdiction to provide timely repayment of the debt.

Voters must approve bond projects, in order for the City to secure this type of debt financing.

What kinds of projects are in the 2014 bond?

Description	Projects
Streets: $36.5 Million	Widen key arterial streets, resurface several two-lane arterial streets and neighborhood streets. See brochure for more details.
Quality of Life: $10 Million	Create new dog park, add adult softball fields, picnic shelters, playground, water spray pad to Chisholm Trail South - a destination park, create new neighborhood parks and refurbish older neighborhood parks. See brochure for more details.
Public Safety: $8 Million	Improvements to police/fire training center, complete Phase II of the Public Safety Complex, build new Fire Station #3 and purchase ladder truck. See brochure for more details.
Public Buildings: $1 Million	Purchase land for Maintenance Center expansion and land for storing emergency sand/salt. See brochure for more details.
Flood Control Management: $3.7 Million	Develop Stone Ridge-Elm drainage improvements, continue work on the 37th Street Regional Detention Facility, repair bridges and complete stormwater/flood control improvements for Albany Street from 9th Street to 23rd Street. See brochure for more details.
Conference/Convention Center: $5.85 Million	Buy land for Conference/Convention Center along Broken Arrow Expressway near Bass Pro Shops. Lease land to national developer that will build and operate the Conference Center. See brochure for more details.
Creative Arts Center: $1.4 Million	Build a Creative Arts Center in the downtown Rose District for residents to create and display their art. See brochure for more details.

How was the recommended project list developed?

A variety of resources influenced the make-up of the 2014 recommended bond projects, including adopted master plans, the draft five-year Capital Improvements Program FY 2015-2019, prior bond referendums, the newly created street inventory and condition index report (Streets Preservation Report), traffic studies of projected future traffic volume and evaluation of traffic flow, along with staff expertise.

City Council also contributed recommendations, based on input from the community.

When will the election be held?

The Mayor and City Council set the election date as August 26, 2014.

How do I provide my input on these projects?

City staff will present the recommended projects to the Mayor and City Council at the June 2, 2014, City Council meeting. The meeting includes a public comment period, where citizens can address Council about the recommended bond projects.

Public comment was also sought during a series of five informational meetings.

At-Large – May 19, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

Councilor Johnnie Parks
Location: Nienhuis Community Center
3201 North 9th Street (Lynn Lane Road)

Ward 3 – May 21, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

Councilor Mike Lester
Location: Cedar Ridge Christian Church
4010 West New Orleans (East 101st Street)

Ward 2 – May 27, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

Mayor Craig Thurmond
Location: Liberty Church
7777 South Garnett Road

Ward 4 – May 28, 2014 – 6:30 p.m.

Councilor Jill Norman
Location: Spring Creek Elementary School
6801 South Third Street

Ward 1 – May 29, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

Vice Mayor Richard Carter
Location: Heritage United Methodist Church
5300 East Kenosha Street (East 71st Street)

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