Proposed Sand Springs public safety facility rendering. Courtesy
SAND SPRINGS - Voters will be asked to approve a $14.5 million bond proposal this fall to allow for the construction of a new public safety facility and other projects.
The Sand Springs City Council voted unanimously Monday evening to add the bond proposal to the Nov. 12 general election ballot.
The three propositions that will be on the ballot seek to address public safety needs, allow for renovations at the Municipal Building, and improve the city's parks and recreation facilities.
Approval of all propositions in the 20-year bond would increase residents' property taxes by an estimated $129 a year.
Approval of only the public safety facility would increase taxes by about $101 a year.
The public safety needs outlined in Proposition 1 make up the bulk of the bond issue - $11.4 million - and include the construction of a 45,000-square-foot facility that would house police and fire headquarters.
The building also would house the downtown Fire Station 1 and would include training facilities, a new jail, an emergency operation center and a 911 center.
The facility would be built on a 12.75-acre site on Wekiwa Road west of 129th West Avenue.
"This bond is going to allow us to take care of some needed space issues (and) training issues," said City Manager Rocky Rogers.
The city's Police Department is housed in a 4,500-square-foot facility that's nearly 100 years old and is much smaller than the facilities in neighboring cities. Glenpool's public safety building, for example, is 28,000 square feet, and Sapulpa's Police Department has 19,000 square feet.
Sand Springs' fire stations also are inadequate and require extensive repairs, officials say.
About $400,000 of the Proposition 1 funds would be dedicated to remodeling Station 2.
The city held five public meetings over the summer to discuss bond projects with residents.
A few changes were made to Propositions 2 and 3 at a previous meeting, shifting funds from the City Hall remodeling to increase the allocations for parks and recreation facilities.
These changes would allow for the building of another splash park on the city's south side.
Proposition 2 includes the demolition of the current Fire Station 1 and some remodeling of the Municipal Building.
Proposition 3 would devote about $2.4 million to park and recreation projects, including building two splash pads, improving playgrounds and updating sports facilities at River City Park.
The proposition also allocates funds for repairs at the 1929 art deco Sand Springs Museum and for the completion of the parking lot at the Keystone Ancient Forest.
Proposition 1
- Public safety facility: $11 million
- Fire Station 2 remodel: $400,000
Total: $11.4 million
Proposition 2
Constructing, renovating, repairing and improving Municipal Building, and Fire Station 1 demolition: $735,000
Proposition 3
- Various park facilities improvements and splash parks: $1.9 million
- Canyons Golf Course facilities: $75,000
- Sand Springs Museum: $340,000
- Keystone Ancient Forest: $50,000
Total: $2.4 million
Grand total: $14.5 million
Potential property tax increase
Propositions 1-3: $129 a year
Proposition 1 (Public safety facility only): $101
Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Sand Springs ballot to include bond
Sand Springs
Ronnie Dean Haskins III, 40, is accused of killing Zachary Hank Montgomery, 24, about 11 p.m. Aug. 31 at 6105 W. Eighth St.
Tulsa Police Homicide Sgt. Dave Walker said Ronnie Dean Haskins II, 40, was arrested about 5 p.m. at a trailer near 1600 S. 145th West Ave. in Sand Springs.
