Lawton voters approve CIP Extension by 55.63 percent margin

Lawton will be extending its Capital Improvements Program until 2040.

City voters approved the proposal Tuesday, with 55.63 percent of the 5,824 voters who cast ballots approving the proposal. The final vote on an idea that drew both strong support and pointed criticism was 3,240 votes in favor and 2,584 against.

At issue was a proposal from City of Lawton officials to extend the existing 2.125 percent sales tax designated for the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for another six years, until Dec. 31, 2040. That tax, now part of the 2019 CIP, was slated to expire Dec. 31, 2034, under a decision city voters made in 2020.

Dubbed PROPEL 2040, supporters said the extension would provide additional funding that will be designated to 13 categories/programs that the council set under a resolution of intent and an ordinance that they approved when they also set the ballot proposition earlier this year. Those wide-ranging projects include upgrades to Museum of the Great Plains, Carnegie Library, Central Fire Station and Lawton Public Library; additional funding for economic development; funding designated to enhance public safety; and programs to benefit youth, including what supporters call a Discovery Lab for STEM education.

In addition, the program includes another half-cent of permanent funding (meaning, remaining in place unless voters repeal it): one-quarter dedicated to streets and bridges; one quarter dedicated to parks and recreation. That will be matched with a one-half percent permanent tax already in the CIP, funding dedicated to water/sewer line upgrades, public safety, and to building the city’s emergency fund.

Mayor Stan Booker said the program is important for Lawton’s future and he is excited PROPEL 2040 won voter approval.

“That will launch Lawton,” he said.

City Council members have said the strength of the program is the fact project categories are set by resolution, meaning they can be changed only by a majority vote of the council. Those project categories also specify the priority are projects already included in the 2019 CIP, which in turn includes projects that were included in the 2015 and 2016 CIPs.

The resolution also estimates the extension will generate $34 million in annual revenues, with a 3 percent annual increase projected for each year of the program. Funds generated beyond that amount will be deemed “excess” and will be allocated by the council only after residents have had a chance to comment at two public meetings (the same provision already in today’s CIP regulations). City staff must provide the council a report on recommended adjustments to the program by March 15 of each year.