Supporters, Opponents Make Arguments For, Against Vision2

It is less than a week before Tulsa County voters decide on Vision2.

The sales tax extension would help pay for public improvement projects across the county.

City leaders are encouraging voters to say yes.

Vision2 would put more than $700 million into the hands of cities around Tulsa County.

Critics are worried the process is moving too fast, but elected officials say now is the perfect time to extend the sales tax.

10/8/2012 Related Story: Vision2 Opponents Say Tax Is 'Blank Check' To County Government

More than a dozen city leaders from Tulsa County gathered Wednesday morning to show their support of Vision2.

The $748 million sales tax extension would go to a number of projects, from a new softball and baseball park in Glenpool to a new county juvenile justice center.

"It'll help us work toward widening our main street and it will help us in getting toward the new dam in Sand Springs," said Sand Springs Mayor Mike Burdge.

The men and women who spoke out Wednesday say it's important for voters to recognize that what's important for one city in the county is important for all cities in the county.

"We're looking at our entire region. What goes through our region helps all of us," said Collinsville City Manager Pam Polk.

10/4/2012 Related Story: Tulsa County Communities Make Big Plans For Vision2 Funds

Critics of Vision2 say the county rushed the process in order to get it on the ballot.

Ronda Vuillemont-Smith said comparing it to Vision 2025 is not fair, because that plan had a year's worth of public input.

"What we would like to see is them come together, all of the mayors in the surrounding cities, as well as Tulsa, and hold a public forum with their constituents, because their constituents have some questions that they would like to have answered," Vuillemont-Smith said.

Vuillemont-Smith said taxpayers simply don't know enough about how Vision2 money will be spent, even though most cities have made a wish list.

"They can pass resolutions, but resolutions are not law," Vuillemont-Smith said.

The elected officials say Vision2 is about doing what's right for Tulsa County to help it grow and secure jobs.

"And realize that what's good for Owasso is good for Sand Springs and what's good for Tulsa is good for Owasso and what's good for Sand Springs is good for Owasso," Burdge said.

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