The City of Owasso held a public meeting Monday night at the Owasso Community Center to receive citizen input on proposed projects for use of excess Vision 2025 funds. Unfortunately, few citizens showed up.
In late 2014 the Tulsa County Vision Authority approved a resolution that states Owasso is eligible to receive excess Vision 2025 funds totaling $6,882,761. The Vision 2025 tax was approved by Tulsa County voters on September 9, 2003. This one penny increase in Tulsa County sales tax was approved in four propositions for regional economic development and capital improvements. Proposition #1 was intended for Boeing when it was considering locating in Tulsa and, although approved, it never went into effect because Boeing selected a location other than Tulsa. Therefore, the remaining sales tax for approved propositions 2 – 4, totaling six-tenths of a penny is currently being collected for Vision 2025.
How did these excess funds come about? Funding for the original approved projects have been collected, and excess funds are now becoming available. Previously, funding for the BOK Center and the Cox Convention Center projects was increased by $45,500,000. At that time, it was determined that the first $45,500,000 in excess funds collected would be distributed to the remaining communities in Tulsa County. The Vision Authority used 2013 census estimates to determine by population the amounts available for each community. Of the nearly $7,000,000 to be received by Owasso, the funds are divided by proposition as shown below.
- Proposition #2 – Available to fund capital improvements for the purpose of promoting economic development – $457,056
- Proposition #3 – Available to fund educational, health care, and events facilities for the purpose of promoting economic development – $2,496,320
- Proposition #4 – Available to fund capital improvements for community enrichment, including parks, trails, downtown and neighborhoods – $3,929,385
The small handful of citizens were able to ask questions and view a variety of ideas for the funds use.
Intersections improvements at the entrance to the new Acadamy Sports
A popular idea was a downtown festival/market place area that could be used for events and concerts as well as a farmers market venue.
Downtown Festival Marketplace
The next concept drawing was for a proposed dog park to be located on land donated at McCarty Park.
Dog Park at McCarty Park
Concept drawings for a new “Feature” spray pad to be built on the south end of the sports park, with improvement to the existing pad at Rayola park.
New “Feature”spray pad and improvements to Rayola Spray pad
Improvements to the intersection of 76th and Main.
Intersection improvements downtown at 76th and Main
Sports park improvements including lighting and paved and expanded parking. A 5k running track around the area was also proposed.
Sport park improvements
Ranch Creek Trail would begin on 76th Street North where an Owasso to Mohawk Park walking and bike trail is already in the works. It would continue north to connect to McCarty Park .
Ranch Creek Trail
Should you have questions, contact Teresa Willson with the City of Owasso by email or at 
918-376-1514.
