Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 11-01-16
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Office of the City Attorney
Title:
title
Consideration, discussion, and possible approval of Resolution No. 955, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Broken Arrow expressing concern about the instability and insufficiency of current revenue sources for municipal operational and capital expenditures, expressing support for public education and, specifically, for the Broken Arrow, Union and Bixby Public School Districts that provide education and opportunities to children and residents within its corporate limits and fenceline, encouraging the Oklahoma Legislature to explore alternative funding sources for public education and municipal operations
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Background:
On November 8, 2016, registered voters of the State of Oklahoma will have the opportunity to vote on State Question 779, is a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the state sales and use tax by one percent. Sixty percent (60%) of the revenues generated would go to providing a salary increase of no less than $5,000.00 for public school teachers, 9.5% of the revenues generated would be divided between public schools, 19.25% of the revenues generated would go to higher education, 3.25% of the revenues generated would go to career and technology education, and 8% of the revenues generated would go to early childhood education. Public schools, institutions of higher education and career and technology education, as well as public early childhood education, presently receive funding from the Oklahoma Legislature, ad valorem taxation, and other sources.
The primary revenue source of Oklahoma municipalities is sales and use taxes. Municipalities do not receive general operational appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature, and ad valorem taxes dedicated to municipalities are presently only utilized for municipal judgments, and payment of principal and interest on general obligation bonds.
Municipalities in other states have more stable and reliable sources of revenue such as ad valorem taxes. Municipal officials are concerned about will the ability of municipalities to obtain consent of the voters to increase sales taxes which are imperative to municipal operations, such as fire and police protection, provision of water, wastewater, and solid waste services, access to parks and other recreational opportunities, and the repair and improvement of roads, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure. Municipal officials are also concerned about the unintended consequence of encouraging residents to shop on-line rather than in brick and mortar establishments that provide necessary revenues for municipal operations.
The Broken Arrow City Council is enthusiastically supportive of public education and, in particular of the Broken Arrow, Union, and Bixby Public School Districts, and the on-going needs of said Districts for operational and capital funding sources. It is reasonable for the Oklahoma Legislature to explore alternative, stable, sustainable, and sufficient funding sources for both public education and municipal operations and capital projects.
Cost: $0
Prepared By: Beth Anne Wilkening, City Attorney
Reviewed By: Assistant City Manager
Approved By: Michael L. Spurgeon, City Manager
Attachments: Resolution No. 955
Recommendation:
Approval of Resolution No. 955