By Daniela Julio-Cano, FOX23.com News Staff
BIXBY, Okla. — Bixby voters will decide on Aug. 25 whether to approve a proposed GO Bond aimed at addressing infrastructure and public safety needs as the city continues to grow.
The bond is divided into four propositions covering public safety, roads, parks and wastewater.
Bixby Police Chief Todd Blish said continued growth means the city needs to make sure its infrastructure keeps pace.
“As the city grows, the infrastructure has to grow with it,” Blish explained.
Proposition 1: Public Safety
The first proposition focuses on public safety and includes funding for a new south Bixby fire station and an Emergency Operations Center.
The proposed Emergency Operations Center would provide a central location for the city to coordinate police, fire, EMS and other emergency resources during major disasters.
It would also provide a backup location for 911 operations.
Blish said having that additional capability would be important during a major emergency.
“In order to kind of consolidate all of our resources and be able to manage a major event, an emergency operation center is a necessity.”
The south Bixby fire station is also intended to address the growing demand for emergency services in an area experiencing rapid development.
The new proposed Bixby Animal Shelter is also included in Proposition 1.
Proposition 2: Roads
Proposition 2 would fund several road widening and resurfacing projects throughout Bixby.
The proposed widening projects include:
- 101st Street from Memorial Drive to Mingo Road, widening it to five lanes
- Mingo Road from 111th Street to 131st Street, widening it to three lanes
The resurfacing projects include:
- Harvard Avenue from 141st to 151st streets
- 161st Street from Sheridan Avenue to Yale Avenue
- Sheridan Road from 161st to 171st streets
The city previously conducted a road analysis study to identify transportation priorities.
Blish said improving the road network is important not only for everyday traffic, but also for emergency responders.
“As the city grows, we have to be able to move around. We have to have access for emergency vehicles.”
The city said the projects would also help distribute traffic and support continued growth.
Memorial Drive and 151st Street are under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the city said it will continue working with ODOT on those highways.
Proposition 3: Parks
Proposition 3 would fund improvements at Bentley Park Sports Complex.
The proposal includes additional parking and lighting at the complex, which has seen increased use and demand.
The city said additional parking would help address congestion and reduce reliance on grass overflow areas.
New lighting would also allow more activities and events to continue into the evening.
Blish said the improvements could help attract events to Bixby.
“That particular bond package enables us to increase the lighting and the parking at that particular park in order to host some of those events into the evening.”
Proposition 4: Wastewater
The fourth proposition would expand Bixby’s wastewater system.
The city said its current wastewater facility is nearing capacity and additional infrastructure would be needed to support future development.
The proposed expansion is expected to improve system performance during periods of high demand and reduce the overall system load by an estimated 30% to 55%.
Blish said keeping up with water and sewer infrastructure is essential as more homes and businesses are built in Bixby.
“You have to have an adequate sewer system, adequate water systems and all types of infrastructure in place before all that growth can occur.”
Bixby voters will decide whether to approve the GO Bond on Aug. 25.
The city will be holding its final public meeting about the bond on Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at New Beginnings Church, giving residents an opportunity to learn more about the proposals and to ask questions.
The city said the proposed bond would not increase the current tax rate, with the payments being made through existing property tax collections.
