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September 18, 2013
5-day Forecast Tulsa World  
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13 killed in Washington shooting rampage

A defense contractor employee went on a shooting rampage Monday inside a building at the heavily secured Washington Navy Yard, spraying bullets in the hallways and firing from a balcony onto office workers in an atrium below, authorities and witnesses said. Thirteen people were killed, including the gunman.

 
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OSU will investigate claims made in Sports Illustrated series

Citing a strong appetite for its "Dirty Game" series on Oklahoma State football, Sports Illustrated released the fifth and final chapter a day earlier than originally announced.

 
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BNSF to invest $125 million in state projects

BNSF Railway Co. announced Monday it is spending $125 million to expand and improve its system in Oklahoma. Projects will include a new bypass connection at the Cherokee rail yard in west Tulsa and extending a siding area on the carrier's tracks near Mannford.

 
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Shooting At Navy Yard

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Albums of autumn: 22 new and upcoming music releases to get excited about

As summer fades, so do the songs and sounds of summer. But that gives way to a fall music bonanza.

 
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Improve Our Tulsa

Overview: Tulsa's next capital improvements package targets what has been dubbed the "nuts and bolts" of city government, funding $470 million in street repairs - the largest single investment in streets in Tulsa's history - along with repairs to city facilities, park equipment upgrades, police and fire equipment and public transit improvements.

It was developed by city officials during more than nine months and during four dozen public meetings, including two rounds of town hall meetings attended by hundreds of residents, and includes a list of projects that was whittled down from $1.4 billion - as requested by city departments - to $918.7 million.

The package includes two propositions: one to issue $355 million in general obligation bonds - borrowed money that is repaid by temporary increases in property taxes - and one to temporarily extend 1.1 percent in the city's temporary capital improvements sales tax past its expiration on June 30, 2014.

The city has used a 1 percent capital sales tax - also called the "third penny" tax - since its first voter approval in 1980, when officials stressed that the city's operating budget and general obligation bonds could not afford the number of projects needed in coming years. It has been renewed seven times since then, including in the 2008 Fix Our Streets initiative. Bonds have also been used for decades, helping the city fund expensive projects like roadwork up front and to repay their costs over time.

The other 0.1 percent sales tax included in this proposal represents a portion of the city's share of the 0.167-cent former 4 to Fix the County's tax. The remaining 0.067 percent of that tax was shaved off of this proposal to allow the county to ask voters to adopt it for county projects this spring.

This page will be home to all the coverage from the Tulsa World on the 2013 capital improvements package.
HEADLINES

City Council votes to clarify Improve Our Tulsa proposal for voters   9/11/2013

Turns out, an Improve Our Tulsa ballot proposition needed a little improvement.

Paving the way: Tulsans want more sidewalks, bike paths   9/2/2013

Tulsans want sidewalks.
Improve Our Tulsa chosen as name for next capital improvements package

Improve Our Tulsa chosen as name for next capital improvements package   8/28/2013

Tulsa's next capital improvements package will be called Improve Our Tulsa.
Council names capital improvements package 'Improve Our Tulsa'

Council names capital improvements package 'Improve Our Tulsa'   8/27/2013

'That way, (voters) know what they're voting on and they don't have to muddle through all the legal jargon that's on the ballot title,' council Chairman David Patrick said.
$35 million sought for Tulsa economic development plans

$35 million sought for Tulsa economic development plans   8/25/2013

Dawn Warrick, the city's planning director, acknowledges that explaining what Tulsans would get by funding planning and economic development projects in the proposed capital improvements package is no easy task.
Tulsa could get more bike lanes, sidewalks under City Council proposal

Tulsa could get more bike lanes, sidewalks under City Council proposal   8/24/2013

The proposed Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan - now a source of some public debate - is rooted in the 1999 Trails Master Plan.
City Council approves Tulsa's largest capital improvements proposal ever

City Council approves Tulsa's largest capital improvements proposal ever   8/22/2013

An election for a $918.7 million funding package will be held.

Tax, bond proposals await Council vote   8/22/2013

City councilors say the capital improvements proposal headed to their desks Thursday is the best possible result of nearly four dozen public meetings and countless hours of work, notwithstanding some final-hour drama with the county.

Talks break down between city, county on tax proposals after city rejects compromise   8/21/2013

Separate city and county proposals for a 0.167-cent tax are likely headed to ballots Nov. 12 after an apparent breakdown in talks to combine or stagger the initiatives, officials said Tuesday.

City Council may make $5 million 'peace offering' for juvenile justice center   8/20/2013

Councilors plan to vote Thursday to send the measure to voters Nov. 12.

Tulsa sales tax extension would have 'safety valve,' city councilors say   8/19/2013

Tulsa's next capital improvements proposal will have a 'safety valve' to allay fears that its open-ended deadline constitutes a blank check, city councilors agreed last week.
Traffic engineering projects for Tulsa included in capital improvements package

Traffic engineering projects for Tulsa included in capital improvements package   8/18/2013

Fixing Tulsa's streets doesn't only mean filling cracks and laying pavement.
Bad roads in Tulsa: City officials prioritizing street projects based on pavement conditions

Bad roads in Tulsa: City officials prioritizing street projects based on pavement conditions   8/18/2013

Nicky Jones knows firsthand the woes of driving what could be the meanest street in Tulsa for vehicles.

View all of the projects in thecapital funding proposal.
Sales-tax compromise sought by city of Tulsa, Tulsa County officials

Sales-tax compromise sought by city of Tulsa, Tulsa County officials   8/16/2013

City and county officials are trying to reach a compromise over their two proposals for a 0.167-cent sales tax, they announced Thursday.

City, county officials talk about compromise on 0.167-cent tax   8/15/2013

'Our needs are your needs, and I'm just imploring you to think about a little give-and-take on this and allow us to be successful and you to be successful at the same time,' Keith told the council during a committee meeting Thursday morning.
Final town hall on Tulsa capital improvements proposal held

Final town hall on Tulsa capital improvements proposal held   8/14/2013

Speakers at Tuesday's final town hall on Tulsa's proposed $920 million capital improvement talked about sidewalks and interest it would cost to build them.
Final town hall on Tulsa capital improvements proposal held

Final town hall on Tulsa capital improvements proposal held   8/14/2013

For every speaker at Tuesday night's final town hall meeting on the city's proposed $920 million capital improvements package who talked about the need for more sidewalks, there was, it seemed, another person who is concerned about the interest the city would have to pay to get the projects completed.

Councilor suggests removing 2 items from capital improvements package   8/13/2013

City Councilor G.T. Bynum wants the city to reconsider plans to fund projects for downtown's BOK Center and Cox Business Center - the convention center - in its next capital improvements package.
Police, fire projects included in capital improvements proposal

Police, fire projects included in capital improvements proposal   8/12/2013

City officials have one thing to say to residents who ask why they should support a $919.9 million capital funding package when the city still needs police officers.

Tulsa City Council OKs exception to Bartlett Amendment for Riverside Drive widening   8/9/2013

City councilors approved an exception to the so-called Bartlett Amendment on Thursday.
North Tulsa town hall attendees express frustration with capital improvements proposal

North Tulsa town hall attendees express frustration with capital improvements proposal   8/7/2013

A series of town hall meetings over the city's $919.9 million capital improvements proposal neared its conclusion Tuesday as north Tulsans funneled to the microphone to plead for more projects in their area.
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CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PACKAGE
Election: Nov. 12, 2013
Total funding: $918.7 million
Effective date: July 1, 2014
SALES TAX PROPOSITION
Tax: 1.1 percent (extends third-penny and part of the 0.167-cent tax)
Funding: $563.7 million
Timing: From July 1, 2014, to until the amount is raised (estimated 6 to 6 1/2 years), but no later than 7 years
Projects: $299.2 million for arterial street repair, widening, public transit and bike/pedestrian infrastructure; $264.5 million for other capital projects
BOND PROPOSITION
Funding: $355 million
Timing: 5 years
Projects: $275 million for non-arterial street repairs; $80 million for arterials
Property tax: Average $20 annual increase for $100,000 home
SALES TAXES IN TULSA
Total: 8.517 percent
City's portion: 3.167 percent
Permanent for operations: 2 percent
Temporary for capital projects: 1.167 percent
Proposal: Extend 1.1 percent of the 1.167 capital sales tax, leaving 0.067 percent for a future county election
Outcome if successful: Tax decrease of 0.067 percent, pending county proposal; Level rate if a county proposal passes
PROJECT CATEGORIES
A closer look at the specific project list. (NOTE: BOK Center and Convention Center projects have been removed)

Street rehabilitation: $470 million ($355 in bond package; $115 in sales tax)
More on the street rehabilitation project

Street widening/Gilcrease Expwy.: $88 million

Bridges: $27.95 million

Traffic Engineering: $12.1 million
More on the traffic engineering projects

Transit: $29.7 million
More on the transet projects

Bicycle and Pedestrian infrastructure: $23.4 million
More on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure

Street/Highway corridor enhancement: $3 million

Planning and Economic Dev.: $23.94 million
More on planning and economic development

Citywide public facilities: $8.7 million

Animal Shelter: $3.5 million
More on the animal shelter project

Tulsa Zoo: $11.75 million

River Parks: $11.76 million
More on the River Parks projects

City parks: $34.87 million
More on the city parks projects

Performing Arts Center: $5.53 million
More on the proposed Performing Arts Center funding

Gilcrease Museum: $9.05 million
More on the proposed Gilcrease Museum funding

Police Department: $37.33 million
More on the public safety funding

Fire Department: $34.6 million
More on the public safety funding

Information Technology: $33.07 million

Tulsa City-County Library: $10 million
More on the Tulsa City-County Library funding

Route 66 Village: $550,000

Equipment Management Department: $6.05 million

Eugene Field redevelopment: $10.9 million

Levee repairs: $3.4 million

Capital equipment: $18.91 million

Bond issuance costs: $500,000

NOTE: The Tulsa World has a recurring series exploring each category of the proposal. Links will be added when a category is covered.

*All categories are in the sales tax proposition unless noted
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