Voter registration deadline is Friday
Friday is the voter registration deadline for the Feb. 13 mayoral primary election. Go to ok.gov/elections to download a voter registration application or get more information on registering, or call the Oklahoma County election board at 713-1515. State Sen. David Holt, Taylor Neighbors and Randall Smith are on the ballot. The next mayor takes office April 10.
Holt joins Memorial board
Mayoral candidate David Holt is rejoining the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum foundation's board. Holt, a Republican state senator, formerly served as a trustee. He directs marketing, public relations, and investor communications as managing director of investor relations at Hall Capital.
Street rehab extent estimated
The 2017 bond issue approved by voters last September includes $293 million for residential and arterial street resurfacing, which is enough to rehab approximately 1,000 lane miles. The MAPS for streets sales tax extension includes an additional $168 million, enough to resurface approximately 500 lane miles. The figures are estimates and the actual extent of work that can be done will depend on bids received, said Eric Wenger, the Public Works director. The city maintains in excess of 8,000 lane miles of streets.
Of note: A significant percentage of the road work will be done over the next three years, thanks to the 27-month extension of the 1-cent MAPS sales tax that took effect Jan. 1.
Overholser Dam anniversary
This spring, the city will mark 100 years since the construction of the Overholser Dam on the North Canadian River. Lake Overholser is one of seven reservoirs in the system serving Oklahoma City.
Budget outlook improves
Fiscal 2019 will be the first time in six years that city department heads have not been asked to make budget cuts. That doesn't mean some spending did not increase in the last several years — cuts are calculated after increases for salaries, benefits and other costs are factored in. Departments excluding public safety were asked for 4 percent cuts last year. This year, department heads have the option to ask for increases to improve services. That could lead to authorization of new positions and hiring after two years of workforce reductions.
Of note: Budget plans already include restoring funding for 48 police officers and 21 firefighters and authorizing spots for an additional 81 police officers and 39 firefighters.
Airport has record year
2017 was a record year for passenger traffic at Will Rogers World Airport. More than 3.9 million passengers flew in and out of Will Rogers last year. The previous record of about 3.8 million was set in 2014.
Of note: In 2018, Frontier Airlines plans to add nonstop service to San Diego starting April 9 and American Airlines plans new nonstop service to Phoenix Sky Harbor starting April 3.
Tweet of the Week
"A veteran-owned @ SaveALot grocery store is bringing relief to a food desert in northeast OKC, writes @Dishman5"
— @NewsOK. Read the story at NewsOK.com.