By Fox23.com News Staff
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Bartlesville residents will soon vote on three major ballot items that city officials say will shape the community’s infrastructure, public safety and economic future.
On Feb. 10, voters will decide whether to renew the city’s General Obligation Bond program, extend the Half-Cent Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Sales Tax and renew the quarter-cent Economic Development Sales Tax.
City Manager Mike Bailey tells FOX23 all three measures are renewals of long-standing funding sources.
“All of those are existing taxes,” said Bailey. “It’s just a renewal of things we’ve been doing for 20-plus years that have been working.”
He emphasizes that none of the proposals would increase taxes.
$17.5 Million G.O. Bond Package: Fire Truck, Park Updates & Price Fields Turf
If approved, the $17.5 million General Obligation Bond would fund several high-impact projects including:
- Numerous street projects – $13.1 million
- Fire apparatus replacement – $1.5 million
- Price Fields artificial turf – $1.2 million
- Park restroom renovations – $400,000
- Park security lighting – $400,000
- Park playground equipment – $300,000
- Amenity upgrades at 10 City-owned parks – $300,000
- Drip irrigation in major parks – $225,000
- Cooper Dog Park irrigation – $25,000
Bailey says G.O. bonds and the CIP sales tax often fund similar types of projects, but the key difference is how they’re paid for.
“Sales tax is obviously sales tax, and general obligation is funded with property tax,” Bailey explained.
One of the most anticipated projects is the turf conversion at Price Fields.
Bailey says turfing four fields will help reduce rainouts, attracting more tournaments and boosting economic impact.
“Parents and recreation leagues struggle with rainouts every season. This will help eliminate that and draw tournaments that bring money into our community.”
$17 Million CIP Sales Tax Extension: Police Cars, Storm Sirens & Public Safety Tech
Renewing the Half-Cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax would fund another $17 million in upgrades. Projects include:
- Annual Police vehicle replacement program – $1.9 million
- Annual Police vehicle equipment – $1 million
- Storm siren system upgrade – $800,000
- Preventative Street Maintenance (PSM) projects – $5 million
- General Fund vehicle replacement program – $1.5 million
- Community Center lighting upgrade – $800,000
- 2 dump trucks with snow equipment – $600,000
- Library elevator modernization – $300,000
- 911 Dispatch System upgrades – $190,000
- Pathfinder Parkway improvements – $400,000
- Golf course equipment and shed – $415,000
- Pathfinder bridge deck replacement – $150,000
- Park signage – $50,000
Bailey says a large portion covers routine but necessary replacements.
“We have a couple hundred vehicles in our fleet,” said Bailey. “These aren’t luxuries. Once vehicles reach about 10 years old, we have to replace them.”
One standout project is an $800,000 storm siren overhaul.
“We have more sirens than we need because old technology required them to be closer together,” said Bailey. “This update will reduce the number of sirens, increase reliability and make sure everyone can hear them when needed.”
Another signature project is updating the Bartlesville Community Center’s 1980s-era theater lighting.
“Modern shows require technology we don’t currently have,” said Bailey. “Upgrading the system will make the Center more competitive and more profitable, which benefits taxpayers.”
Streets Remain the City’s Largest Need
Across both funding measures, more than $18 million is dedicated to improving streets—Bartlesville’s biggest infrastructure investment.
“Streets are our largest infrastructure network and our largest expenditure,” said Bailey. “We’ve made a lot of progress over the last 10 years, and this will allow us to keep improving.”
The city uses a detailed pavement condition model that evaluates every street with sensor-equipped vehicles. Bailey says these continued investments will raise overall street quality.
Economic Development Sales Tax: A History of Growth
Voters will also consider renewing the quarter-cent Economic Development Sales Tax, first approved in 1986 and renewed every five years since.
“It funds all economic development in Bartlesville,” said Bailey. “This tax has helped bring major employers like Lincoln Electric, Blue Whale and expansions at ABB.”
The tax creates a financial reserve—often called the city’s “war chest”—that helps Bartlesville offer incentives to companies bringing high-quality jobs.
“It ensures this is a community where the people they hire want to live,” said Bailey. “We create the job, but we also get the citizen.”
City Leaders: No Tax Increase, Just a Continuation of What Works
Bailey says the three proposals—G.O. bonds, CIP sales tax and economic development tax—work together to support the city’s long-term stability.
“This really is the future of our city,” he said. “Infrastructure, capital improvements, quality of life and economic development all tie together.”
All three measures will appear on the Feb. 10 ballot, and residents can vote for or against each one individually.
You can read more about the projects by clicking here.
