Broken Arrow LifeRide program, Taxation without representation?

09/17/2023

09/06/2023

Is there corruption in Broken Arrow? Please take the time to read and research to make your decision
https://www.oag.ok.gov/ag-opinions
Opinion 2023-10
Question submitted by representative Ford whose wife is Broken Arrow council member Lisa Ford. Response was on June 30th and Broken Arrow passed Ordinance number 3794 on July 17th making the liferide assesment mandatory for all.
June 30, 2023
Attorney General opinion concluding that municipalities cannot issue assessments to operate and maintain public safety protection districts. As currently authorized under title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes, such districts would be unconstitutional.

One function of the Attorney General is to issue opinions to legislators and other state officers regarding questions of law in which the officer is officially interested.

08/27/2023

Meetings
City Council meetings are held on the First and Third Tuesday of each month (First and Third Mondays in June) at 6:30pm in the City Council Chambers:

City Hall
220 S. First St.
Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Agendas are available prior to the meetings.

https://www.brokenarrowok.gov/government/city-council

08/27/2023

To contact a Council Member, call: 918-259-8419

Mayor Debra Wimpee, Ward 1
Term Expires 2025
[email protected]
Email Mayor Wimpee

Council Member Lisa Ford, Ward 2
Term Expires 2025
[email protected]
Email Councilor Ford

Vice Mayor Christi Gillespie, Ward 3
Term Expires 2027
[email protected]
Email Vice Mayor Gillespie

Council Member Justin Green, Ward 4
Term Expires 2025
[email protected]
Email Councilor Green

Council Member Johnnie Parks, Member At Large
Term Expires 2027
[email protected]
Email Councilor Parks

08/27/2023

The city ordinance requiring you to pay a fee is a workaround as to not have to hold a required vote to increase the sales tax for the cities emergency services. Anyone who uses the service is required to pay for the service. This is nothing more than making people pay for those who do not pay their own medical bills. If there is a budget deficit then the city should address this through the voters in regards to a sales tax increase. Please contact your elected officials and let them know how you feel about this issue.

08/27/2023

In the FAQ section the city makes the point this is not a "Tax" due to state laws around tax laws.
§68-2701. Authorization to tax for purposes of municipal government - Exceptions and limitations. A. Any incorporated city or town in this state is hereby authorized to assess, levy, and collect taxes for general and special purposes of municipal government as the Legislature may levy and collect for purposes of state government, subject to the provisions of subsection F of this section, except ad valorem property taxes. Provided:

7. Any revenues derived from a tax authorized by this subsection not dedicated to a limited purpose shall be deposited in the municipal general fund. B. A sales tax authorized in subsection A of this section may be levied for limited purposes specified in the ordinance levying the tax. Such ordinance shall be submitted to the voters for approval as provided in Section 2705 of this title. Any sales tax levied or any change in the rate of a sales tax levied pursuant to the provisions of this section shall become effective on the first day of the calendar quarter following approval by the voters of the city or town unless another effective date, which shall also be on the first day of a calendar quarter, is specified in the ordinance levying the sales tax or changing the rate of sales tax. Such ordinance shall describe with specificity the projects or expenditures for which the limited-purpose tax levy would be made. The municipal governing body shall create a limited-purpose fund and deposit therein any revenue generated by any tax levied pursuant to this subsection. Money in the fund shall be accumulated from year to year. The fund shall be placed in an insured interest-bearing account and the interest which accrues on the fund shall be retained in the fund. The fund shall be nonfiscal and shall not be considered in computing any levy when the municipality makes its estimate to the excise board for needed appropriations. Money in the limited-purpose tax fund shall be expended only as accumulated and only for the purposes specifically described in the taxing ordinance as approved by the voters.

08/27/2023

Below is information on the city of Broken Arrow in regards to flow of money and sales tax.

08/27/2023

In the about section there are links to the City of Broken Arrows LifeRide information pages as well as the new City ordinance requiring membership in the program.