How to vote early in Bartlesville's $17.6M GO Bond and what it means
Early voting in the City of Bartlesville Special Election, scheduled for Oct. 10, begins today, with advanced ballot casting available to accommodate city voters and for those unable to participate on Election Day.
Residents are deciding on significant capital projects in a General Obligation (GO) Bond election, including crucial street improvements and public service enhancements across the city.
Funding Bartlesville's Future: A Look at the Special Election
A total of $17.6 million in GO bond issue is on the ballot, divvied up into four separate propositions for voters to decide on individually:
Proposition 1: Public Safety Buildings and Equipment: $2,412,000
Proposition 2: Municipal Buildings and Equipment: $696,000
Proposition 3: Streets and Bridges: $12,278,000
Proposition 4: Parks and Recreation: $2,214,000
Notable undertakings involve refurbishments of Adams Boulevard and Silver Lake Road, establishing a new fire station at Hensley Boulevard and Virginia Avenue, and improvements to the Pathfinder Parkway and Bartlesville city parks.
Funding from the ad valorem (property) tax, capped at 15 mils, will facilitate these enhancements over the next four years.
City Manager Mike Bailey affirmed that the proposal does not translate to a tax hike for residents.
"The city's mil levy will remain at 15 as existing bonds expire, so there is no tax increase associated with the GO Bond proposal," Bailey said.
The methodology behind such funding is not new to Oklahoma municipalities, with GO bond funding frequently financing capital projects. Generally, the city hosts GO bond elections every three to five years, according to Bailey.
"This funding allows us to meet the expectations of our citizens by financing crucial projects," Bailey said, citing an array of street repairs, public safety gear, park enhancements and vital facility upgrades, including technological tools pivotal in serving both the community and visitors.
Although the bond does not directly tackle water issues exacerbated by recent droughts, city officials say they are probing long-term water supply solutions, likely leaning on low-interest loans repaid with Water Capital Fees for these projects.
With a staggering working list of more than $100 million in capital needs, city staff and citizen committees meticulously carved out the bond issue before earning the city council's stamp of approval.
Residents seeking a comprehensive list of projects and additional voting details can visit the city's official website.
Early voting open to all
No reason is needed to vote early, said Yvonne House, Washington County Election Board secretary.
"Oklahoma permits early voting for all elections overseen by the County Election Board or State Election Board, ranging from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections," House said.
Early voting sessions are available today, October 5, and tomorrow, October 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Washington County Election Board on the fourth floor of Bartlesville City Hall at 401 S. Johnstone Ave.
Voters requiring assistance, whether due to visual or physical disabilities, illness, or literacy challenges, are provided with supportive options. They can choose to have an assistant or use the ATI device attached to the voting machine to ensure a confidential and autonomous voting experience.
House encourages anyone needing help to contact their precinct official or the County Election Board for more detailed instructions.
For inquiries or further clarification about the early voting process, the Election Board can be reached at 918-337-2850 or via email at washingtoncounty@elections.ok.gov.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Early voting begins in $17.6M bond election to fund city projects
