LAWTON - Council approved a resolution Tuesday, Nov. 26, calling for a Feb. 11 special election, extending two existing taxes raising the City more than $100 million for improvements.
Although the 2015 half-cent sales tax was set to expire in 2025, to fund emergency services, and water and infrastructure needs, council proposed to make the tax indefinite. The half-cent indefinite tax would also designate $2.674 million for recruiting police and fire personnel, and $250,000 going to the Emergency Reserve fund. With more than $100 million in projects listed for the CIP (Capital Improvements Program), a second already existing tax of 2.125% would fund a variety of improvements throughout the community.
CIP plans include $28 million for streets and sidewalks; $20 million for parks and recreation ($8 million for the youth sports complex); $17 million set aside for water treatment facilities; $12 million for technology improvements; $8 million for beautification and curb appeal; $6 million to fund a Blue Ribbon Committee on Juvenile Crime prevention; $6 million to complete the renovations on City Hall; $5 million to update the McMa- hon Auditorium and promote Arts and Humanities; $5 million to complete all current CIP projects that were postponed with the construction of the Public Safety building; and $3.75 million designated to “clean up” the more than 500 dilapidated structures in Lawton; and $2 million to help renovate the Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport.
Lawton voters will decide whether to extend the taxes to fund the projects during the Feb. 11 special election.