OKC bond proposal pays for street improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — There's $2.7 billion proposed in the upcoming bond election for Oklahoma City. Over half of that is going to street repairs, sidewalk upgrades, and more. The city has used bonds to make improvements since before statehood.

"This is the way we pay for our infrastructure in our city are these bond issues," said Mayor David Holt, (R), Oklahoma City.

The proposal funds a variety of projects from sidewalks to bridges to parks to the transit system.

"We approved one most recently in 2017 and it's time to do it again," said Mayor Holt.

Mayor David Holt said this is a routine vote that happens every few years and the money is something that has funded city streets and other improvements for the last half century.

Voters have 11 propositions to vote on. So if one doesn't pass, like street improvements, Mayor Holt said the infrastructure will stay the same.

"If we didn't pass it, there's no more fixing of anything in Oklahoma City until we get something like this approved," said Mayor Holt.

The city said there are 547 projects within the bond proposal. 382 of those are for streets and sidewalks. 25 are for bridges. 

"OKC has used bonds to pay for its core infrastructure since before statehood. When voters go to the polls on Oct. 14, they will vote on 11 separate propositions covering everything from streets and bridges to parks and drainage. If residents vote no on a proposition, the improvements listed in the bond won’t be made. OKC voters rejected park bond improvements from 1974 to 1995. The disinvestment led to outdated pools, playground equipment and fewer people using the parks system for two decades."

City of Oklahoma City

The city also wants to remind voters that the bond won't raise property tax.

"I'm optimistic that we will, but we're certainly here to talk about it, answer any questions, but it's been well crafted and discussed for the last year," said Mayor Holt.

The bond election is October 14th.