Tue, May 13 2008
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Published March 27, 2008 12:31 am - The questions being asked by Chamber leaders Public Safety Sales Tax
The Citizens Survey that was recently completed by the City indicated that 87.8 percent of Norman residents are satisfied with public safety services in Norman. With such high satisfaction in our City’s services, why is there a need to increase taxes to additionally fund these very good services? Why is the City proposing a temporary tax increase to fund permanent positions when the voters soundly defeated a smaller tax increase proposal two years ago for the same purpose and, as previously noted, Norman residents have an 87.8 percent satisfaction rate with Norman’s public safety services? The temporary half-cent sales tax has historically been kept available to fund special community projects. Explain the philosophy behind the policy shift to now fund basic City services/operations with this tax source? If the City endorses raising temporary taxes, what future proposals will our City launch to increase gross sales tax revenues in Norman to avoid the need to continue raising taxes? Oklahoma City has a total sales tax share of 3.875 percent, but only 2.75 percent of sales taxes goes to fund basic services, with the rest used for projects such as MAPS for Kids and the OKC Zoo. How would the total proposed Norman sales tax rate compare to each of the top 10 most populated cities in Oklahoma in terms of the share that will be used to fund basic services? New Library Property Tax The project cost of the 112,000-square-foot MAPS library in downtown Oklahoma City completed in 2004 was $21.5 million, which equates to $192 per square foot. How has the size and cost of the proposed Norman library reached 118,000 square feet and $49.5 million, which equates to $419 per square foot? With the City facing many needs in terms of water supply, the storm water master plan federal mandate, transportation including the Robinson Street/railroad grade separation and other matters, how can we afford a $49.5 million library and still adequately fund other looming fundamental needs? Where will the proposed 360-car library parking garage be constructed so that it can produce maximum joint benefit to the library and nearby commerce, and minimal effect on nearby residential? 
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