Edmond on the Go, that’s the slogan the city is using to educate voters about the $231 million GO bond program on the ballot. The money will improve roads and parks and replace an old fire station.
“This is a historic moment for the city of Edmond,” Mayor Darrell Davis said.
Mayor Davis is optimistic about the projects that will be included on the upcoming ballot. “This is an opportunity for Edmond residents to invest in their community,” Mayor Davis said.
If approved, the general obligation or GO bond program would provide $151 million in funding for 15 road projects.
The second largest portion of funding is $70 million to improve parks, and the third item on the ballot is $10 million to replace the city’s oldest fire station. Edmond voters last approved GO bonds in 1980. “This is a truly tested measure that has been used throughout this region of Oklahoma,” Mayor Davis said.
Even if the property is frozen, the vehicle will have a 14.3 percent increase in property taxes based on its assessed value. For example, if your home is appraised at $304,000, you’ll pay about $40 in taxes each month. “You can have different opinions on any of these bills, but if any one of them passes, your property taxes will go up by almost 15 percent,” Edmond voter Brian Shellem said. spoke.
Other opponents of the proposal say the city needs to find other funding options, such as a sales tax. “You’re living on retail sales tax, so put it in IKEA, Trader Joe’s, Costco, Bucees,” Edmond voter Chip Moles said. “These are cash cows and that’s how the city needs to raise money.”
Lydia Lee said she worries about people on fixed or low incomes. “This tax is going to hit you hard,” Lee said. “I think there are other ways to improve the roads. I think there are other ways to accomplish what they want to do with this list of projects, but it will impact property owners in Edmond. Property taxes are not the way to go.”
The mayor says those projects are still on the completion list even if the bond is not passed. It just takes more time.
The city says Edmond’s property taxes would increase by the same amount if any of the three proposals pass. However, depending on the amount of projects voters approve, the duration of these taxes could be shorter.
For more information about GO Bond, click here: https://www.edmondok.gov/1911/Edmond-on-the-GO
