Lawton Economic Development Corporation supports plan to extend CIP

Lawton Economic Development Corporation is supporting the idea of extending the 2019 Capital Improvements Program.

Members of the LEDC board voted last week to designate $5,000 to promote the plan for an extension of the 2019 CIP. The 2019 CIP was put into place by voters in February 2020. It created a new CIP by combining two existing CIPs into one program, then extended all but one-half percent of the 2.125 percent tax through Dec. 31, 2034 (the one-half cent is permanent). The extension was projected to raise another $100 million when it was put into place in 2020, with funds designated for new projects while completing ones identified in the previous CIPs.

City of Lawton officials have been discussing the idea of a new extension for months, noting during public meetings that some projects — most recently, plans to correct extensive water damage at Museum of the Great Plains and upgrades to city parks — could be funded by a new extension of the tax. It would follow the pattern of the first extension, which set a mechanism into place to produce additional revenue without raising the city’s sales tax, providing money for new projects.

The City Council has not yet discussed the issue in open session or identified projects to be funded. Officials indicated in mid-February they wanted to call an election in August, when elections for local, county, state and federal offices are planned.

LEDC Chairman Barry Ezerski said the idea has merit, adding the proposal is not for a new tax.

“It would not increase,” he said of the existing 2.125 percent sales tax allocated to the CIP. “It is vital for our interest to be extended.”

When the 2019 CIP was crafted, it set nine broad categories for projects: water/sewer system improvements, street/sidewalk work, improvements to city buildings/facilities, parks and recreation work, youth programs, industrial development, information technology improvements, beautification efforts and designation to the city’s emergency fund. Community leaders involved in economic development have said that funding category has been especially important.

“Our executive committee met on it,” Ezerski said of the discussion LEDC’s officers had about a CIP extension, adding those members “felt it was important” to support the initiative.

LEDC members agreed to designate $5,000 from the existing, privately-funded Launch Lawton program for the fiscal year that ends June 30, then look at allocating another $15,000 in the 2024-2025 budget year that begins July 1. Ron Nance, LEDC board member, said because Launch Lawton was created through private donations, that money can be used for advertising. Public funds cannot be used for that purpose, city attorneys say.

Ezerski said LEDC’s initial investment would allow advertising and promotions for the CIP extension to begin. Mayor Stan Booker has said that work should begin.

At the Feb. 13 council meeting discussion about damage at Museum of the Great Plains, council members and city administrators discussed starting design plans for what needs to be done to repair damage that is threatening the museum and its archives, with an eye toward moving into that upgrade work. Booker said the $6 million estimated cost of repairs could be funded from a CIP extension.

“I believe the citizens want to take care of this valuable asset,” he said of the museum. “So, we could put that $6 million in a CIP extension. There’s no other way we’re going to come up with the money to take care of this building. It’s not in the current CIP and there’s no other option.”

Booker said it was time to start the process to call an election, asking city staff at the Feb. 13 meeting to begin the process to craft a ballot resolution that must be provided to the Comanche County Election Board at least 45 days before the election was called in August.

“We can light a fire under ourselves to get that CIP going,” Booker said.