To help close a gap in the municipal budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which starts July 1, Lawton City Manager John Ratliff proposed a 12% increase in numerous miscellaneous fees.
The proposed price hikes would have included police department records checks, and fire department incident records checks and reports requested by outside agencies for commercial use; background reports/checks; plus library fines and fees.
Additionally, prices would have been raised for dog and cat licenses; animal adoptions and redemptions; false alarm response fees; residential sale permits; home occupation registrations; event and assembly permits; recreational fees at Lakes Lawtonka and Ellsworth; fishing and hunting permits; Building and construction fees; demolition permits; body piercing and tattoo parlor permits; food service establishment permits and food handler certification; licenses for cigar bars and for medical marijuana facilities; municipal court fees; water/sewer main disconnections; inspection fees; plumbing, electrical and mechanical code regulations; park pavilion rental fees; planning and zoning applications and zoning maps; Licenses for ambulance operators and emergency medical attendants and paramedics; fire department inspection fees; costs for responding to fire calls outside the city limits; door-todoor vendors and peddler permits and background checks; pawnbroker licenses; fees for pool, billiard, snooker and domino tables; recreation centers and coin-operated amusement devices; taxicab driver permits and exam fees, and annual certificates of convenience and necessity.
Community Enrichment Deputy Director Charlotte Brown told the City Council that Lawton’s prices for various licenses and permits are lower – sometimes much lower – that what Lawton’s six “peer cities” charge.
For example:
• Administrative revocable permit fees cost $500 in Broken Arrow, $150 in Moore, and $57.50 in Lawton.
• The cost of sign permits issued by the City of Lawton range from $28.75 to $287.50.
Among the “Peer 6” the price range is $35 to $335.
• Sign contractors in Lawton are charged $115 for a permit. Among the Peer 6 the price varies from $100 to $300.
• Permits for coin-operated devices in Lawton cost $1.75 to $23. The Peer 6 range is $6 to $35.
• Lawton’s charge for record plats and record drawings is a base fee of $200. Among the Peer 6 cities, the charge ranges from $100 to $1,500.
The City Council was sympathetic to Ratliff’s quandary but rejected his proposal on a 3-4 vote April 22.