Advocates for tax to aid parks start over

Former Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid is restarting his signature drive seeking to call an election for a dedicated sales tax fund for parks.

If voters were to agree to a one- eighth cent sales tax increase, proceeds would be earmarked for Oklahoma City park programs and improvements.

Shadid first filed his initiative petition in June.

The 6,499 valid signatures required to call an election would have been due in about two weeks.

S had id' s attorney, Eric Groves, said Friday that organizers were falling short of the number of signatures needed, so Shadid directed him to refile the initiative petition and restart the clock on the 90 days allowed under the law to gather sufficient signatures.

The new due date for turning in signatures at the city clerk's office will be in early December.

That would be a few days before voters are to cast ballots on MAPS 4, which proposes allocating $63 million to rehab every community and neighborhood park in the city.

Sh a did, a physician, said in June that Oklahoma City leaders had in recent years shortchanged parks and other basic municipal services in favor of major building projects such as the convention

center, park and streetcar, all MAPS 3 projects downtown.

Studies show vibrant, active urban park systems are central to residents' overall good health, he said.

He branded his initiative "Basics First" and mailed at least one promotion to likely voters.

An eighth of a cent brings in about $14 million in sales

tax revenue annually.

Shadid commissioned a poll last spring that found s u p p o r t a mon g l i k e l y voters for enhanced parks funding.

Proceeds from a dedicated sales tax would go to outdoor activities, park improvements and operational expenses.

The Oklahoma City Zoo i s funded i n part with a dedicated sales tax.