Bond issues, sales taxes approved by voters

Freezing temperatures and slick conditions contributed to low voter turnout Tuesday, but several bond issues and sales tax proposals still managed to win approval. <br><br>Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly

Wednesday, December 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Freezing temperatures and slick conditions contributed to low voter turnout Tuesday, but several bond issues and sales tax proposals still managed to win approval.

Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly passed the biggest bond issue in the city's history.

The nine-part, $340.4 million municipal bond issue passed with more than 77 percent of the vote.

``I think that it is an expression by the voters of their confidence in the direction we are taking Oklahoma City,'' said Mayor Kirk Humphreys.

The measure improves streets, parks, libraries, and a variety of other structures and equipment. City officials said property taxes will not increase because the new debt will replace expiring assessments from previous bond issues.

The biggest proposal sought $192.5 million to improve Oklahoma City's streets, many of them in residential areas.

A $28.5 million bond package _ with $20.4 million earmarked for roads _ passed in Broken Arrow. The road proposal passed with 73 percent of the vote, while other propositions supported a police training center, parks, a new justice center and a youth community center.

The only Broken Arrow proposition which failed was one to build a replica of the old Broken Arrow train depot, which failed by 44 votes. The turnout in Broken Arrow was about 4,500 voters, less than 10 percent of those registered.

Tulsa County election board secretary Scott Orbison said snow contributed to a light voter turnout and caused trouble for precinct workers trying to bring ballot boxes to his office.

Voters in Edmond approved the continuation of a 3/4-cent capital improvement sales tax and the creation of a new 3/8-cent public safety sales tax.

The capital improvement sales tax passed with 56.1 percent of the vote, while the safety sales tax passed with 59.3 percent of the vote.

City Manager Leonard Martin said continuation of the capital improvement tax will not increase the city's sales tax rate. The tax would take effect in September 2001, when the current sales tax expires.

The public safety tax will pay for staffing for an additional fire station, fire, police and emergency medical services personnel and police equipment. Residents would spend an additional 38 cents in sales tax on every $100 they spend.

Voters in the Midwest City-Del City School District approved a $7.1 million bond issue that would pay for improvements at 25 Mid-Del school campuses. The measure passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Residents in the Mid-Del district will not pay additional property taxes if the bond issue is approved.

Muskogee school voters easily approved a $10.2 milli