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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 06_STWD Oversight for the Vision for Owasso Sales Tax Funds_2016.05.17CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA RESOLUTION 2016 -06 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA, DESIGNATING THE CITIZENS' SALES TAX WATCHDOG COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT FOR THE VISION FOR OWASSO SALES TAX FUNDS. WHEREAS, Voters approved the Vision for Owasso .55% sales tax on April 5, 2016; and, WHEREAS, the declared purpose of the Vision for Owasso sales tax is to provide revenues to fund street improvements and related expenditures, to include debt service on obligations issued to finance said improvements; and, WHEREAS, the Vision for Owasso projects are to be street improvements on East 96th Street North and street improvements on East 116th Street with any excess revenue collected to be used for additional street improvements; and WHEREAS, The Citizens' Sales Tax Watchdog Committee is charged with monitoring the expenditure of the proceeds from the "third penny" sales tax approved by the citizens in 1988, 1997, and 2003. Additionally, the committee is responsible for "reporting" to the public (in any manner deemed appropriate) the use of those funds and any other information the committee believes the public should know; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish the same public reporting system for the Vision for Owasso sales tax funds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA, THAT: the Citizens' Sales Tax Watchdog Committee shall provide oversight for the Vision for Owasso sales tax funds. APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of May 2016, by the City Council of the City of Owasso, Oklahoma. G\�y OF Otis ATTEST: OFP]CiAL L dell Dunn, Mayor SEAL Sherry Bish66, City Clerk ok(.AHaMP APPROVED AS TO FORM: Loirm U Juli ombardi, City Attorney O—T City Wit out Limits. TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: The Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Owasso Sherry Bishop Assistant City Manager APpRoV�D By CouNC/L Resolution 2016 -06 Oversight of Vision for Owasso Funds May 13, 2016 BACKGROUND: kA 172016 Approval of the Vision for Owasso sales tax indicates a high level of voter confidence that the City Council and staff will continue to expend restricted sales fax funds as promised. Citizen oversight and public reporting have been a valuable assurance to voters that their tax dollars are well used. To continue the standard of public transparency, an oversight mechanism for the Vision for Owasso funds is recommended. The Citizens' Sales Tax Watchdog Committee was originally created by Ordinance 395 and approved by voters in 1988 to provide "oversight" of the restricted third -penny sales tax. The Watchdog Committee is appointed by the City Council. In order to support the independence of the committee, members serve for an indefinite term and may not serve in any other elected or Council appointed position with the City. The committee meets twice a year (March and September) to review the status of third -penny capital improvement projects, to review reports on the expenditure of the third -penny sales fax and to approve a Progress Report for public distribution. The Resolution 2016 -06 would add oversight of the Vision for Owasso funds to the Watchdog Committee responsibilities. After collection of the Vision sales tax begins next year, staff would provide financial reports detailing the use of those funds similar to the current reporting for the Capital Improvements sales tax. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Resolution 2016 -06, designating the Citizens' Sales Tax Watchdog Committee to provide oversight for the Vision for Owasso sales tax funds. ATTACHMENT: Resolution 2016 -06