Jenks Voters Turn Down Bond Issue Proposals

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

JENKS, OK -- Jenks leaders say tough times may have caused voters to turn down several bond issues on Tuesday. Residents approved a $5 million bond that will fix streets, but shot down three other issues on the ballot.

Several road projects got the green light from Jenks voters. More than $5 million will be raised to widen Main Street from Elm to Highway 75.

But that's as far as voters were willing to go. Residents and business owners say they're torn between what they believe needs to be done and what they believe they can afford.

"The infrastructure of the city is so old it needs to be fixed," said Jenks resident Sharon McCollough.

"From a business perspective, would I like it to pass? Probably. If I lived in town here, would I want to pay for it? Probably not," said Wayne McCollough, Jenks resident.

People in Jenks will not be paying $1.5 million to improve the City Hall and Police Station complex. They also said ‘no' to a three-quarters of a penny sales tax that would raise $3.8 million to buy new equipment for firefighters and replace sewer lines.

The Jenks community hasn't exactly been shy about spending in the past. Just a little over a year ago, it passed a $150 million school board issue."

"I knew that the timing was not good, and that people are having a hard time," said Jenks Mayor Vic Vreeland. "People aren't sure they're going to have a job tomorrow."

Vreeland believes the bond vote is not a huge setback. It just shows that his city is not immune to the effects of this recession.

"Saying we're doing better than everyone else is like saying we're the prettiest puppy in a real ugly litter," said Vic Vreeland, Jenks mayor.

Mayor Vreeland says some of these bond issues could be back on the ballot in the future, but he says the city will wait until the economy turns around.