Bond issue best solution for PD

The Edmond Sun

EDMOND March 30, 2008 12:17 am

— Edmond residents will be faced with some tough choices in the coming months. The city’s sales tax revenue is not growing as fast as projected this year, a reflection of the stern mood surrounding the national economy. At the same time, the city has some significant needs waiting to be addressed.
The Edmond Police Department is at the top of that list with the proposed $29 million Public Safety Center project.
Edmond’s voters will be asked to decide either July 29 or Aug. 26 if they are willing to pay for the project by a General Obligation bond, which will be assessed through property taxes. The owner of a $100,000 home would see an increase of $76 a year on a 10-year bond or $114 a year on a five-year bond.
While a property tax increase may be a tough pill to swallow, few are denying that a new police station is a basic public need in Edmond.
Some have expressed concern that a property tax is not an equitable assessment mechanism. They fear that renters will not be contributing to paying for public safety. However, it’s often property owners who benefit the most from a well-working public safety system.
Edmond residents also will be asked to consider a bond issue for Oklahoma County in May, and other needs such as more funding for road projects and securing more long-term water rights are creeping up on city officials. Another project on the horizon is a proposed $6 million expenditure by the city to finish the development of the Multipurpose Activity Center in Mitch Park.
The only other way to pay for the new Police Department is to lop off the many projects already approved for expenditure from the 3/4-cent sales tax, dedicate the next several years of the public safety sales tax solely to the project, not expand the MAC and potentially not continue other popular programs.
This bond issue will force residents to truly determine their priorities for the city and their taxes.
We believe that accomplishing the Public Safety Center should be one of the city’s highest priorities.
As long as the city fathers keep the bond issue for a limited term and targeted at a specific use, residents should not fear the short-term tax increase.