Voters inside the Guthrie city limits will go to the polls on Feb. 9 to decide on a proposed a 3/4 cent, 15 year sales tax to be dedicated for capital improvement projects.
The City of Guthrie, and all other Oklahoma municipalities, is dependent on sales tax revenue for general operations. Since 1979, the City’s sales tax portion has remained the same at three percent.
The current total Logan County sales tax inside Guthrie’s city limits stands at 8.25 percent with a breakdown of the City at 3.0, County .75 and State 4.5. The average total sales tax rate for cities in Oklahoma is 8.96 percent.
If the City’s proposition is approved, the City’s sales tax would increase to 3.75 percent and a 9 percent county tax within the city limits.
According to the City, the proposition will generate over $19 million over 15 years for street improvements, wastewater treatment plant, youth and senior activities, ladder truck for the Guthrie Fire Department, Highland Park Pool improvements and adding a splash pad, fencing for Summit View Cemetery and fleet upgrades for the Guthrie Police Department and Public Works.
With the $13,895,000 improvements, an estimated $5,289,458 will remain and be used for contingency and future projects.
Breakdown of the capital improvements
Streets – Guthrie currently has approximately 144 miles of streets and roads maintained by a crew of seven members with the Street Department. Projects would include internal equipment purchases totaling $250,000, pothole repairs and $50,000 in overlays each year.
The price tag for 15 years is listed as $1,250,000 ending in 2030.
Waste Water Treatment Plant – City officials say the biggest need is for the current 75-year-old Waste Water Treatment Plant (not to be confused with the Water Treatment Plant) located on 10 acres north of Guthrie High School.
The treatment plant processes 850,000 gallons of wastewater daily, which is approximately 85 percent capacity each day. The percentage increases with rainfall for the nearly 4,000 sewer customers.
The City’s permit with the Department of Environmental Quality expires in 2020 and City officials say if improvements are not made DEQ could force them to make immediate upgrades with the cost to sewer users within city limits.
The projected start date would be 2019 and would cover 50 percent of costs ($4.3 million) for improvements. The remaining estimated $4.3 million would be funded from sewer customers.
Youth and Senior Activities – The City currently maintains facilities used by local organizations to provide services for the seniors and youth of Guthrie and Logan County.
Projects include improvements and enhancements to Highland Hall, construction of a sports complex and enhancing partnerships with the Guthrie Public Library, the YMCA and local schools.
The total project is listed as $2,350,000 ending in 2027.
Pool and Splash Pad – The City owns and maintains the pool in Highland Park (built in 1946) and is staffed and managed through the YMCA. Projects include repairs and enhancements and the construction of a brand new splash pad.
The project is listed at $3,000,000 spread out over 10 years ending in 2026.
Ladder Truck – The Guthrie Fire Department’s previous ladder truck is permanently out of service. A ladder truck would not only help with public service, but would keep or even lower home and business insurance rates with the department’s Insurance Services Office rating.
The project is listed at $1,000,000 and would take 10 years to pay off in the year 2025.
Cemetery Fence – Summit View Cemetery was established in the late 1800s and acquired by the City in 1915. The 80-acres is maintained by the Parks Department.
The improvement would be a new fence estimated at $350,000.
Fleet – The police department relies on a fleet of 37 vehicles averaging 11 years old and over 130,000 miles. Public Works vehicles average almost 18 years old and over 96,000 miles. The City’s fleet averages just over 16 years old and over 76,000 miles.
The fleet project is estimated at $1,625,000 spread out over the entire 15 year proposal.
It’s either pass a tax or see property tax and services costs go up. The cost for the sewer plant needs to be part of the service fee. The cemetery doesn’t need a fence, in my opinion, it serves no purpose, and I would love to see the bid on that sports complex as that price seems way too low. Coyle just built one and it was over $3 million, if I remember correctly. The rest I’m fine with.
So, that’s .75 for every $1000 I spend…right? Seems cheap enough. Seems like a lot of bang too.