Published: July 02, 2008 09:55 am            

Mayor answers questions about multi-million-dollar bond proposal

Pryor’s Mayor Jimmy Tramel answered questions Monday about the proposed tax extension for building projects.

Tramel is proposing the city extend the 1/2 cent sales tax passed to construct the recreation center to 2022. The idea is to collect enough money to build multiple

projects.

Projects he’d like to tackle are a new city hall, library, improvements to little league, softball, baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts at the recreation center, renovate the Pryor Youth Organization (PYO) building, extend the gymnasium and add a community center at the Pryor Creek Recreation Center (PCRC), renovate the Pryor Chamber of Commerce building, expand the police department building and add another bay to the fire department.

Tramel estimates all projects will take approximately $10 million. A more accurate estimate will be provided once architectural firms, engineering firms and a construction manager are consulted.

Tramel explained how the city could generate $10 million. If the city’s tax collections stay at the same level, the bond for PCRC will be paid in 2011. The 1/2 cent tax levied to pay for the recreation center isn’t scheduled to expire until 2018, so the money collected from 2011 to 2018 can be used for the proposed building projects. Tramel proposes the city extend the 1/2 cent tax four more years to 2022. Tramel said financial analysts speculate the city will generate approximately $10 million if collections remain current. The city collects approximately $84,000 from the 1/2 cent tax each month. At that rate, in 10 years, the city will have collected $10,080,000.

But what happens if the city collects $10,000 less per month? The total collected would only be $8.88 million, leaving the city with a little over $2.1 million in obligations.

“Tighten our belts in other areas,” answered Tramel. “In January, if it looks like we’re in a deep recession, we may not do it. We’re not going to put the city in jeopardy.”

There’s no guarantee the city would do the project at all since the proposal would first have to be approved by a vote of the people.

Tramel’s plan is to get bids from architects and a construction manager hired, so the council can present a more accurate picture of the projects to the public.

“I think it’s key to hire a construction manager,” said Tramel.

Hiring a construction manager is part of ensuring the city constructs quality buildings which aren’t plagued with problems. He explained with the recreation center, a general manager was used and that person is looking out for their company and contractors. A construction manager would have knowledge in all areas of construction and would be looking out for the city.

The idea is to hold an election in January. If passed, the council would find a financial package and borrow the money. The plan is to go ahead with all projects at once.

If the money isn’t available for all projects, the council will have to prioritize. First on the list is a new city hall, then the library and improvements to the ball parks. Next would be building tennis courts on property next to PCRC, then renovating the PYO building. Extending the gymnasium and adding a community building at PCRC would come next. Renovating the Chamber of Commerce building is next, followed by the police station and fire department expansions.

“People are going to apprehensive,” said Tramel about going into debt when the economy is going south.

“You put your best foot forward and if it doesn’t work, get up and go again,” said Tramel. “If you don’t, Pryor will never go anywhere.”

        

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