GO vote on April 7

If Broken Arrow voters approve the eight propositions in the 2026 Build Our Future BA GO Bond election, it could make a generational impact for the community, beginning with the city's youngest residents.

With that in mind, city officials spoke to the Boards of Education for the two largest school districts, Broken Arrow Public Schools and Union Public Schools and explained how important it is for parents and teachers to get out and vote on April 7.

Mayor Debra Wimpee and Assistant City Manager Kenny Schwab spoke to the Board of Education at Broken Arrow Public Schools, and City Manager Michael Spurgeon spoke to the Union Public Schools Board on March 9.

Wimpee emphasized that bond packages are significant for both cities and school districts.

"One thing that is very unique to Oklahoma is that our municipalities rely on sales tax revenue, and so bond packages like this one are what help us get funding for major projects throughout our city," Wimpee said.

School Board President Steve Allen thanked Wimpee and Schwab for speaking to the Board of Education and expressed appreciation for the City Council's partnership with the school district.

In reference to the bond, Allen said, "We know this will impact our kids. We serve the same clientele every day in the district, so this is exciting. And I know, I definitely encourage everyone to get out and vote and do their part, because these bond issues are very important. We appreciate it very much."

The Build Our Future BA GO Bond package includes four bond propositions that would enhance opportunities for Broken Arrow's students. Here's an example of some of the projects that young Broken Arrowans will enjoy.

Proposition 3: Quality of Life includes a new Community Center, a splash pad, pickleball courts, and puckleball fields at Elam Park in south Broken Arrow, playground upgrades at various parks, improvements to Central Park Community Center, and more.

Proposition 4: Public Facilities includes expansion and renovation of Arts@302, which has a number of programs specifically designed for kids. It also includes a new facility for the Military History Museum and an expansion of the Museum Broken Arrow, both of which offer educational opportunities for young people to explore.

Proposition 7: Library Partnership is intended to improve library access and services for residents by replacing the current South Broken Arrow Library with a brand-new larger facility in partnership with the Tulsa City-County Library System.

Proposition 8, Sports Facilities, includes major upgrades to Indian Springs Sports Complex, Arrowhead Sports Complex, Nienhuis Sports Complex, and the Challenger Sports Complex. These facilities are used by Broken Arrow Youth Sports, Broken Arrow Youth Baseball, Broken Arrow Soccer Club, Girls Softball, and Adult Softball.

And, if approved, Propositions 1 through 7 will not raise property taxes. As Schwab explained, "Propositions 1 through 7 maintain current property taxes-there are no new taxes involved. Proposition 8, however, establishes a new, temporary half-penny sales tax dedicated to sports facilities for five years."

At a half-cent rate, the sales tax equals $1 for every $200 spent.

"For example, if you go to the grocery store and spend $200, you're now spending $201," Schwab said. "And another positive thing about it is, this is not just the citizens of Broken Arrow carrying that burden. Anyone who spends money in Broken Arrow is paying toward those improvements as well."

The city estimates that approximately 40 percent of the money spent in Broken Arrow comes from outside the city based on traffic data analysis.

In addition, studies have shown that when kids are involved in Little League sports, they do better in school," Schwab said. "They learn how to communicate, they learn how to work as a team, they learn how to overcome obstacles, and they turn out to be good in the workforce. That's our goal, that's your goal, to produce good citizens who are good in the workforce. So, we have a common interest."

Proposition 8 would invest $53 million in the city's sports facilities and if approved, the city plans to begin these projects immediately.

"So, if you vote it in, you'll see it in year three. We should be completing construction in year three, so that those kids whose parents voted for it can get to use it as quickly as possible," Schwab said.

Then he reiterated that the 2026 bond package is called "Build Our Future."

"That's what we're doing, building our future. You educate the public, and we're building the capital improvements that help the quality of life for the overall community at large," Schwab said. "We urge the Board to encourage your constituents, parents, teachers, and the entire school community-to get out and vote on April 7. Every vote directly contributes to building a stronger community."

For a complete list of the Propositions and the projects included in each, go to BuildOurFutureBA.org.