PROPOSITION 1 SUMMARY
Proposition #1 would complete two community
development initiatives and would be funded
through a temporary sales tax increase of
one-half percent. The funds generated by
this 10-year measure will pay for a new
Family Activity Park ($19 million) and renovations
to the Shawnee Exposition Center ($2.5
million). Studies indicate that Shawnee’s
economy is aided by community events that
draw large numbers of individuals and
tourists to our area. These events bring
millions of dollars into the local economy.
The improvements at the Heart of Oklahoma
Expo Center include construction of a new
roof at the Otto Krause Arena, covering of
the main Grandstand arena area and RV
park upgrades.
The largest annual event is the International
Finals Youth Rodeo, which is held in July
each year. Attendance at the rodeo averages
about 80,000 people, with around 850-900
contestants and 40 vendors. According to a
2005 economic impact study, the average
attendee spent over $312 per day.
Other major events held at the EXPO
include the Triangle Horse Sale. Held about
five times per year, it is not uncommon for
each event to draw several thousand people
to Shawnee and Pottawatomie County.
Each sale is held over a three-day period
and about 80% of attendees are from out of
the area according to surveys conducted
at the event. States with the greatest
representation include Texas, Arkansas,
and Missouri. According to a 2005 study
conducted by Oklahoma State University,
the total economic impact of one sale
exceeds $1,000,000.
The Family Activity Park includes 12 ball
fields, 8 full size soccer fields, trails, lake,
lake activities, disc golf, other multi-use
fields, an amphitheater, and a Miracle Field
for people with disabilities. The Park would
be constructed on 160 acres that the City
purchased in 2009.
The Family Activity Park has been designed to
serve local and regional recreational needs.
The venue would have a variety of activities
available and would serve as an economic
generator by creating a tournament venue.
See the Special Election webpage for
detailed information, www.shawneeok.org
PROPOSITION 3
SUMMARY
Proposition #3 requests $3 million for the purpose of
acquiring, constructing, and improving public safety
communication systems throughout the City and region.
Major upgrades to the public safety communication
system have not been made in many years.
According to Emergency Management professionals,
enhancements to the current 911 system are necessary
to ensure efficient response throughout the City and
the County. This proposal allows for emergency
telephone 911 countywide operators to be housed
together in the secure basement of Shawnee City Hall
should consolidation occur.
This ballot measure also provides for reliable emergency
communications through the construction of a new
communication tower. Improvement to the existing
downtown communications tower and construction of a
new north tower facility will provide police officers,
firemen, and other emergency responders with better
communication capabilities within parts of the City that
are currently radio dead spots.
PROPOSITION 2 SUMMARY
Proposition #2 requests $3 million to
renovate the existing pool, construct a
splash pad, and make parking lot
improvements to the nearly 75 year-old
community pool facility located in
Woodland Veterans Park in Downtown
Shawnee.
The proposed improvements stem from
a 2008 pool evaluation study that is
available online for review and from
public feedback gained at community
meetings. The improvements have been
designed to upgrade the existing facility
to include additional pool features and
to construct a splash park.
Features of the new facility will include
zero-depth pool entry. This will allow
handicapped citizens to be able to use
the pool to a greater extent than is
currently available. In addition, the pool
house will be completely renovated on
the inside, while the outside will retain
its historic façade to the extent feasible.
Lastly, the existing parking areas will
be reconstructed and expanded to provide
additional parking stalls and ensure
convenient access to the facility.
PROPOSITION 4
SUMMARY
Proposition #4 would allocate $13 million for street
projects if approved. This initiative accounts for half of
all requested bond money. The proposed improvements
encompass several areas of the City and each of the
described projects will include sidewalks. In addition
to other roadway projects that may be funded, four
specific projects are specified in the initiative.
The Kickapoo Street construction that is presently
underway ends just south of the Kickapoo Spur. A
portion of the proposed funding will be utilized to
continue the improvements south to Farrall Street,
allowing for a redeveloped north/south corridor.
Also within the proposal, is the upgrade of 45th Street
to four lanes between Kickapoo and Bryan Street. This
is an expansion project similar in nature to what was
done on MacArthur between Kickapoo and Harrison.
Traffic data suggest that the Kickapoo and 45th Street
improvements will ease congestion and improve overall
traffic flow.
Westech Road improvements included in the proposal
will facilitate access to planned future recreational,
residential and commercial development along this
corridor which is within City Limits and the Shawnee
Public School System.
Implementation of a detailed improvement plan for
Downtown Shawnee is the final project for your
consideration. Consistent with Phase 2 of the
Downtown Streetscape Plan, Main Street from Beard
to Philadelphia will be rehabilitated using available
grant and other funding in addition to the money
generated by this bond.
PROPOSITION 5 SUMMARY
Proposition #5 calls for $7 million to be spent on economic and community development. Five million of
these funds are reserved for economic development through job retention and creation efforts. There
are many ways municipalities across the country use economic development funds including, but not
limited to: the construction of infrastructure improvements such as those related to water, sewer and
roadway systems that serve to develop new or grow existing industry for additional employment
opportunities. Such improvements coupled with other incentives, could also be used in the recruitment
of retail and service establishments.
One million dollars of this ballot measure will be spent on neighborhood revitalization. Many dilapidated
buildings exist within neighborhoods and the City begun a campaign two years ago to improve
neighborhood livability and the visual appearance of the City by increasing funding for demolition
efforts. Over the last two years, the City has condemned and demolished more than 50 structures. The
money generated by the bond would continue these efforts and allow for additional demolition and
redevelopment activity.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AND FISCAL IMPACT
If Propositions 2-4 are all approved, a property owner with a home and property assessed at
$100,000 would see their property taxes increase an average equivalent of approximately
$112.25 annually over the bonding period. Based on property assessed at $100,000,
Proposition 2 and 3 each cost $12.98 annually, while Proposition 4 and 5 cost $56.08 and $30.22
per year respectively on average over the bonding period.
THE TABLE BELOW SUMMARIZES THE FISCAL IMPACT BY PROPERTY VALUE
One million dollars of this ballot measure is also allocated toward the completion of sidewalks and trails
with priorities taken from the 2008 Trails Master Plan that was developed by a citizen-led committee.
Sidewalk and trail dollars are traditionally leveraged with grants to construct improvements. Over the
last three years, several projects have been completed in accordance with the Master Trails Plan and
these funds will continue plan implementation. Some of the completed projects include sidewalks
and/or trails along Union Street, MacArthur Street, and South Beard Street.
Other City Ballot Measures
Charter Amendments
Shawnee voters will also have an opportunity to vote on two proposed changes to the Shawnee
City Charter. If approved, the City Charter would be amended so that the term of office for
Mayor and Commissioners will begin on the first Monday of the month following their election,
and the election of the vice-mayor would occur on the first Monday of the month following the
general election and then annually after that.
The proposed City Charter amendments will appear as Proposition #1 and Proposition #2 on the
ballot, but will be on a separate page so voters do not confuse them with the other propositions
of the same number.
Background
In 2004, the people of the City of Shawnee enacted certain amendments to the City’s charter in
order to conform with changes to Oklahoma election law. A result of these changes is that the
Vice-Mayor is elected mid-year, rather than at the beginning of the term of office. These results
were unintended and interfere with the orderly conduct of City business according to Resolution
#6417 that was passed December 5, 2011 by the City Commission. The ordinance making the
corrections cannot become law without a special election being set and a favorable vote by
more than one-half of the voters taking part in said election.