MIAMI, Okla. —
Residents voted overwhelmingly in favor Tuesday of a 0.65 percent sales tax increase earmarked for street projects.
The tax issue passed with 1,572 “yes” votes to 676 “no” votes.
The city’s sales tax will rise to 3.65 percent. Combined with county and state sales tax rates, the total sales tax within Miami’s city limits will be 9.5 percent. There is a 15-year sunset on the tax increase, which is estimated to generate between $10 million and $12 million over its life.
Mayor Brent Brassfield said Tuesday night that he was surprised by the margin of victory this time out, and that it was the result of a lot of hard work by city officials and staff members. Voters last year rejected a proposed sales tax for street projects.
“I think we were really effective in getting out the facts and figures this time,” Brassfield said. “That was the No. 1 reason. And the organization for this initiative was 100 percent better than last time. Last time, I made one presentation to one social organization. This time, we gave 10 different presentations.”
Voters expressed frustration with the condition of city streets as they left the polls on Tuesday afternoon.
“I voted for it, because the roads are so dad-gum bad, I can’t even get to my house,” said Miami resident Jack Hayes.
Ruth Robinson said she supported the tax because she’s tired of having to pay for costly repairs to her vehicle from damage caused by driving over potholes and cracks that are a common sight on local roads.
“Every time, I fall in a hole when I drive somewhere,” Robinson said. “I know it’s the highest tax anywhere, but what are you going to do?”
Pauline Sanders agreed that the streets need work, but she doesn’t believe increasing the city’s sales tax is the way to go.
“I have appealed to our City Council three times that Miami apply for a stimulus package or federal grant,” she said. “Sapulpa got it, and they fixed their streets and sidewalks.”
Brassfield said he hopes work can commence by the beginning of October.
“There are several things that will need to fall in place quickly,” he said, such as putting together an oversight committee for the project and establishing priorities for street repairs.
Those priorities will be guided by an analysis of municipal streets undertaken in 2006 by a Utah-based firm, Iworks. That undertaking resulted in a block-by-block assessment of all 112 miles of city streets.
Last time out
A proposed 1-cent sales tax for Miami street repairs was rejected by a margin of 53 votes in 2009. The vote was 327 in favor and 380 opposed.
You Decide: 2010 election coverage
Related Photos
-
Joan Thomas, of Miami, lets there be no mistake that she voted Tuesday. In addition to helping nominate state and federal candidates for the November elections, Miami residents on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a sales tax hike to raise revenue for street repairs and maintenance. Globe/Gary Crow
Discussion
Miami voters approve sales tax proposal
- You Decide: 2010 election coverage
-
-
Puppy mill proposal pulls ahead
Missouri voters Tuesday repealed an earnings tax in St. Louis and Kansas City, and approved three constitutional amendments. With only a little more than 100 precincts left to count late Tuesday night, it appeared that voters were backing Proposition B, which had a lead of about 2 percent.
-
Incumbent Democrat overturned in 3rd District Kansas House race
Republican challenger Terry Calloway on Tuesday upset Democratic incumbent Julie Menghini for the 3rd District Kansas House of Representatives seat in traditionally Democratic Pittsburg.
-
Bartosh re-elected presiding commissioner
John Bartosh turned back a challenge by independent candidate Timothy Teed on Tuesday to win a second term as Jasper County presiding commissioner. Bartosh won with 20,499 votes to 9,424 for Teed.
-
Long coasts to Congress
After months of courting voters who are “fed up” with Washington, D.C., Springfield auctioneer Billy Long rolled to an easy triumph Tuesday to become the 7th District’s next congressman.
-
Skelton ousted from U.S. House; Boren, Jenkins win
Incumbents in area districts in Oklahoma and Kansas held onto their congressional seats in Tuesday’s election, but a Democratic Missouri representative did not.
-
Kansas voters fill commission seats
Voters in Crawford and Cherokee counties on Tuesday tapped three people — two incumbents and one newcomer — to fill seats on their county commissions.
-
Blunt ascends to Senate
Missouri Republican Rep. Roy Blunt won a promotion to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, defeating Democrat Robin Carnahan with a campaign that tapped into voter frustrations with President Barack Obama.
-
Oklahoma voters rejectschool spending measure
Oklahoma voters on Tuesday soundly rejected a plan that would have required the state to spend annually on education no less than the regional average of six neighboring states.
-
GOP sweeps in Oklahoma
It was a Republican sweep Tuesday for state office seekers in Oklahoma.
Republicans claimed the governor’s, lieutenant governor’s, treasurer’s, attorney general’s and auditor’s seats, as well as that of education superintendent and labor commissioner. -
Ruestman cruises to win in Newton County race
Voters on Tuesday tabbed Republican Marilyn Ruestman over Democrat Robert Brumback in the race for Newton County presiding commissioner.
- More You Decide: 2010 election coverage Headlines
-
Puppy mill proposal pulls ahead
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
