Flanked by the County’s top prosecutor and a former fire chief, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett addressed Nov. 12 the past impact that MAPS has had on public safety, and discussed a proposal to continue the City’s long-standing tradition of supporting public safety by committing the use tax created by MAPS 3 to police and fire protection.  

"Right now, at a critical time in our City’s history, we’re facing efforts to confuse our voters into thinking that somehow the passage of MAPS will create public safety issues,” Cornett said. “I can assure you that if we don’t pass MAPS, our public safety issues multiply.”

Officials said if MAPS 3 passes on Dec. 8, this commitment could mean that the community will immediately benefit from the addition of new police officers and firefighters, in addition to protecting current public safety positions.  The practice of supporting public safety with a MAPS use tax began in 2001 with the passage of MAPS for Kids. 

Cornett explained that in 2001, the voters of Oklahoma City passed MAPS for Kids.  In Oklahoma, sales taxes are accompanied by use taxes, which are primarily paid by businesses on products purchased from out of state and intended to be used in Oklahoma.  The MAPS for Kids use tax has been applied to public safety capital, such as police cars, fire trucks, police helicopters, technology and fire stations.   The total investment from MAPS for Kids in public safety is a staggering $60 million.

“We believe the use tax could add new police officers and firefighters, while also protecting current positions,” Cornett said.   “In a time that cities across the nation and in Oklahoma are laying off public safety officers, we’re grateful to have this opportunity.   But that option goes away without passage of MAPS 3.”

PUBLIC SAFETY
Cornett also discussed the City’s overall commitment to public safety.  More than two-thirds of the City’s general fund is applied towards police and fire protection, and over a quarter-of-a-billion dollars ($285 million) of City funds are spent every year on public safety.

“The economic impact of MAPS over the years has given us more resources to devote to public safety, and we have,” Cornett said.  “Our community has a proud history of supporting public safety, and we are grateful for the service of each police officer and firefighter.  We hope that the economic impact of MAPS is allowed to continue, which increases our overall resources.   And we hope that the impact of the use tax on public safety is also allowed to continue, because that can immediately help to maintain and enhance our public safety departments.”

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and Oklahoma City Councilman Gary Marrs also addressed the potential impact MAPS 3 could have on public safety.

"I recognize what MAPS for Kids has done for public safety, and I enthusiastically support any plan for MAPS 3 that can put more police officers on the street,” Prater said.  “As a former police officer, I know that commitment means a lot to these officers.   As a citizen and a prosecutor, I am appreciative for what MAPS for Kids has done for public safety, and I am pleased that MAPS 3 could continue that commitment, in addition to the other projects that will push our City forward."
 
"The potential impact of the MAPS 3 use tax on the fire department is significant for the firefighters and for our citizens," Marrs, who is also the former Oklahoma City fire chief, said.  "MAPS has been a critical element to our public safety funding in the past, and I’m hopeful we can continue that with MAPS 3.”