OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma City residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of the multimillion dollar MAPS 4 initiative on Tuesday.
With 100 percent of precincts reported, the unofficial vote results are 31,865 votes (72 percent) for the proposition and 12,574 votes (28 percent) against the proposition. News 4 election coverage staff noted that there was no voter turnout at the one precinct in Pottawatomie County.
In all, 16 projects are part of the $978 million package including a new animal shelter, senior wellness centers, mental health and addiction, sidewalks, Chesapeake Arena upgrades, and even a multipurpose stadium.
The breakdown is as follows:
- Parks – $140 million
- Youth Centers- $110 million
- Senior Wellness Centers- $30 million
- Mental Health & Addiction Services- $40 million
- Family Justice Center – $38 million
- Transit- $87 million
- Sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and streetlights – $87 million
- Homelessness – $50 million
- Chesapeake Energy Arena and related facilities – $115 million
- Animal Shelter – $38 million
- Fairgrounds Coliseum – $63 million
- Diversion Hub – $17 million
- Innovation District – $71 million
- Freedom Center and Clara Luper Civil Rights Center – $25 million
- Beautification – $30 million
- Multipurpose Stadium – $37 million.
The project will be the most expensive MAPS to date with a bill projected at $978 million. Officials say it would keep Oklahoma City’s sales tax rate unchanged and would take effect when the Better Streets, Safer City temporary sales tax expires.
Supporters say this is the first MAPS that features a lot of resources going toward human services that support the most vulnerable citizens in Oklahoma City.
Critics argue that citizens should be able to vote on individual projects rather than the 16 projects as an entire package.
When Oklahoma City voters went to the polls, there was only item on the ballot.
The one-cent sales tax will go into effect on April 1, 2020 as the previous temporary sales tax expires.