Lawton sets first public meeting today for CIP extension proposal

City Council members want feedback on their plan to extend the 2019 Capital Improvements Program, and what new projects could be funded as a result.

Residents will have that opportunity at a public meeting set for 6 p.m. today in the auditorium of Lawton City Hall, Southwest 9th and C. A second meeting is set for 6 p.m. May 20 at city hall. Mayor Stan Booker has said the plan at both meetings is to explain the proposal while soliciting public input about what projects could and should be funded.

Dubbed PROPEL 2040, the proposal that will be presented to residents for a decision during an Aug. 27 election would extend the existing 2.125 percent sales tax that already is funding the 2019 CIP. If approved by voters in August, that existing tax would be extended through 2040, rather than ending Dec. 31, 2034, as the 2019 program now dictates.

Community input will allow the City Council to continue with plans to craft the ballot resolution that will be submitted to city voters Aug. 27. That gives council members a limited time to settle on projects. By state law, the ballot proposition that voters will consider must be submitted to the Comanche County Election Board by June 12 for inclusion on the Aug. 27 ballot.

Booker and council members already have outlined more than $150 million in new projects that could be funded by extending the sales tax, while also indicating earlier this week they wanted to add a new one: $1.2 million to fund a new station alerting system for Lawton Fire Department. Fire Chief Jared Williams said the department’s existing system is old. He highlighted a new computerized system used by fire departments in other cities that provides clearer notifications for dispatched calls that come into the stations. He said the estimated $1.183 million cost includes equipment, installation and training for Lawton’s eight fire stations, as well as a system for Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport.

Projects proposed in April include repairing existing, historical structures such as Carnegie Library Town Hall and Museum of the Great Plains; crimefighting technology; work on a new Discovery STEM lab for city youth and a sexual assault and domestic violence facility; upgrades to storm sirens and Highland Cemetery; and additional funding for existing programs such as industrial development, new sidewalks and programs to benefit at-risk youth. The proposal also includes a plan to make part of the tax permanent: one-quarter cent dedicated to streets and bridges, and one-quarter cent for parks. Each is expected to generate $85 million over the 16-year life of the new CIP.

Council members haven’t yet settled on specific projects or said how much additional revenue the extension is expected to generate. Those decisions are expected to come as the council moves closer to setting the ballot resolution it will submit to the election board.