Proposed Bond Packages Could Jump Start Bixby Growth

The City of Bixby is a week away from voting on an $18 million bond package aimed at improving safety for people living there.

There are four different propositions being considered and Tuesday night, the town met for an informational meeting.

On average, if all four propositions are approved, people will pay between $12 and $30 extra in property taxes each year. But, in return, city leaders say people will be making a needed investment.

Safety concerns are always on the mind of Bixby police chief Ike Shirley.

“We’re planning for right now, but also the future,” Shirley said. "We just want to make sure that we are prepared to take care of our community."

The bond package is broken down into four propositions. One allocates money to update security cameras on city facilities and property, helping emergency responders better handle 911 calls.

8/16/2016 Related Story: Bixby Voters To Decide Public Safety Propositions

Shirley said, "Our dispatchers could see that location and give us better information being able to respond."

It also allows the city to move the police gun range away from expanding neighborhoods.

"We've already seen that the people are getting too close. We think it's a public safety issue," Shirley said.

It will also replace aging fire trucks in constant need of repair.

Bixby city manager Jared Cottle said, "What you're concerned about is you have a maintenance issue at the same time that you need that truck."

Since the city is seeing growth, another proposition allows the leaders to fix deteriorating streets.

"Each intersection that we have, we just see conditions getting tougher and tougher," Cottle said.

Still, another proposition addresses major drainage issues in town and flooding concerns in the south part of the town where some people have needed water rescues.

Cottle said, "We've got to be able to get in and out. We've got to be able to ensure that we can help those folks whenever we do have flooding issues."

And the last proposition looks to improve parking lots and facilities in area parks – taking valuable real estate and putting it to work for kids, according to Cottle.

For Bixby resident, MK Adams, the bond package is a needed investment.

"If a lot of people chip in like that and vote for it, we've got it made. Bixby is set to boom," she said.

In the next few days, people will be getting documents detailing all the projects and individuals costs. The bond package will be voted on next Tuesday.