Norman City Council discussed possible additions to the April ballot, including the renewal of the street maintenance bond program, increases to the guest room tax and charter amendments at its study session Tuesday.
Renewal of street maintenance program
The news: Public Works Director Scott Sturtz presented the proposed five-year bond program, which includes improvements to city and neighborhood roads.
The city is requesting $35 million – an increase of $8 million compared to the 2021 street maintenance bond. Sturtz said the increase is due to a rise in property numbers and value.
The street maintenance program started in March 2005. The program maintains Norman's approximately 800 miles of streets and sidewalks, according to the website.
Residents will vote on the bond Tuesday, April 7, according to the website
What they’re saying: Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman asked Sturtz how preventive maintenance helps older neighborhood streets.
Sturtz said these streets are usually asphalt and that water is the biggest problem.
“What happens with a pothole, typically, is not that it's worn out, it's that it's got a crack in it and water has gotten in there and it starts to degrade it,” Sturtz said.
Sturtz said the city seals the cracks by spraying a thin layer of sealant on top for newer streets. He said residents can expect to get 25 to 30 years of life from asphalt roads.
Increase to the guest room tax
The news: Director of Parks and Recreation Jason Olsen and Assistant City Attorney Kathryn Walker presented two options for the proposed increase of the guest room tax rate. Council has previously discussed raising the tax from 8% to 10%.
Norman’s room tax is split between Visit Norman, the Norman Arts Council, Norman Parks and the Norman Sports Commission.
The first proposal included a $947,000 increase to the Norman Parks budget, while proposal two included a $118,000 increase for Visit Norman's budget and a $829,000 increase to the parks budget, according to the presentation.
Olsen wanted to remind residents that this tax only applies to visitors, calling it an “other people's money situation.”
“If you’re a Norman resident and have an emergency at your house, make sure to check into your hotel and tell them you’re a Norman resident and you’ll get excluded from the local taxes,” Olsen said.
Council will consider the item next Tuesday to determine when to put it on a ballot, according to Holman.
What they’re saying: Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant asked if the city would have time for the tax increase to go into effect before the college football season starts if the item were placed on a June ballot.
Walker said if the proposed increase is placed on the ballot in April, the tax could be in place as early as July 1. If the proposed increase is on the June ballot, it could be in place by September.
Proposed amendments to City Charter
The news: Walker presented proposed amendments to the city charter, including changing the start date of council members’ terms and the addition of qualifications for the city auditor position.
The change comes after the October resignation of former City Auditor Shaakira Calnick due to municipal code requiring the city auditor to be a certified public accountant. Calnick worked for the city for almost two years due to an incorrect job listing.
The proposed amendment would require potential city auditors to show proof of holding a professional certification as well as a minimum of five years of professional experience in auditing, according to the ordinance.
The other amendment proposes council terms start on the first Tuesday of July.
These changes are expected to be on the April ballot, but can be postponed to June, Walker said. If postponed, the amendments would be revisited on March 10th.
What they’re saying: Grant expressed concern over postponing a vote on city auditor qualifications, saying they hope to hire a new city auditor quickly.
This story was edited by Audrey McClour and Macey Thaxton.
