Tinker bond really a benefit

The Edmond Sun

EDMOND May 10, 2008 09:36 pm

— Sometimes paying an upfront cost really is the cheaper way to go. In the case of the Tinker Air Force Base bond issue on Tuesday’s county ballot, the $55 million cost to taxpayers for the purchase of the former General Motors plant for use by Tinker makes sense in light of the inefficiencies the base is now experiencing.
If voters say yes on Tuesday, Tinker will consolidate functions from 69 existing buildings into the existing GM plant with another million square feet of space left to expand into later. Many of those buildings up for elimination are in the way of runway clearances and have to be torn down anyway. Some of the buildings are so outdated they do not have air conditioning. Workers often have to take 15-minute breaks to go outside and cool down because their work environment is so uncomfortable.
In essence, providing better facilities for Tinker will increase their efficiency and in the long-term save dollars.
The cost of the Tinker bond is 82 cents a month based on a $100,000 home value. So for many Edmond homeowners, that cost is $1.64 a month to help up to 1,000 Edmond residents who work at Tinker and their colleagues.
In total, there are five propositions on the ballot totaling $84.5 million if all five are approved. In particular, we urge voters to consider all of the costs and benefits of both the Tinker bond and the Natural Hazard Mitigation and Flood Relief bond, which will benefit the Deer Creek area. The other items are worthy of voters’ consideration, too.