Del City residents to vote on renewing temporary sales tax

City officials presented plans for use of the funds during a Tuesday public meeting.

Proposals include construction of a new library, a female veterans memorial, a new sports complex, a new public works/police fleet, a new public works administration building, old police building demolition for a new fire station and projects to repair streets.

City Manager Mark Edwards said the sales tax has funded many multimillion dollar projects that have improved the city. It is up for renewal every five years.

“The fire station, the police station, City Hall, the swimming pool ... those are all paid for. We didn't go out for 20- and 30-year bond issues, we funded this with the sales tax. They're free and clear.”

The Huey Long Community Center and Public Library was built in 1965 and is bursting at the seams, Edwards said.

“It's cramped,” he said. “They've got room for their books and room for their computers but that's about it.”

Edwards said children's programs during the summer often have scheduling issues because rooms in the community center are frequently in use.

The building can't be expanded because it is in a flood plain.

The community center underwent a $1.5 million renovation last year. If the sales tax extension passes, the building would be converted to a senior citizens' center.

At Patriot Park, the tax would fund a female veterans memorial project. The memorial would have a reflecting pool and a monument with five women representing the five branches of the military.

Sports complex

Another project would be the new John Smith Sports Complex.