ITEM TITLE:
Consider approving a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to issue a Proclamation calling a special election submitting Ordinance No. 2024-___ to the registered voters of the City of Lawton, Oklahoma, for their approval or disapproval, which if approved would amend the City Sales Tax Code by extending and levying an existing excise tax of two and one-eighth percent (2.125%) on all sales taxable under the sales tax laws of the State of Oklahoma; providing for extending the term of the existing excise tax from terminating on December 31, 2034 to a new termination date ending December 31, 2040, with the exception of a one percent (1%) existing excise tax which shall be permanent for an indefinite period, effective October 1, 2024; specifying the proposition to be submitted to the voters; providing that the call for the election shall be by Mayoral Proclamation; providing for publication of this Resolution and the Proclamation issued by the Mayor to call the said election; and further providing that the returns thereof shall be canvassed by the County Election Board pursuant to State law and certified to the Mayor and Council.
INITIATOR: Mayor and City Council
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: John Ratliff - City Manager; Kristin Huntley - Interim Finance Director; Timothy Wilson - Deputy City Attorney
BACKGROUND: Over the course of a series of meetings, the Mayor and Council have discussed at length, among themselves and with citizens attending, a 2024 sales tax proposition to be presented to the Lawton voters in 2024. The election date for the sales tax proposition in 2024 will be August 27, 2024. The election documents necessary to call and hold the election on that date must be filed with the Comanche County Election Board on or before June 12, 2024. The proposition, if approved, does not increase Lawton sales taxes but extends the existing two and one-eighth percent (2.125%) excise tax from terminating on December 31, 2034 to a new termination date of December 31, 2040 with the exception of one percent (1%) of the excise tax to be permanent for an indefinite period, effective October 1, 2024, and will be in addition to other excise or sales taxes levied by the city or any other taxing authority, upon gross proceeds or gross receipts derived from all sales to any person taxable under the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code.
Enclosed is the Resolution which would call the election on August 27, 2024 and sets out the proposition to be placed upon the ballot. The proposed sales tax extends the existing two and one-eighth percent (2.125%) excise tax from terminating on December 31, 2034 to a new termination date of December 31, 2040 with the exception of one percent (1%) of the excise tax to be permanent for an indefinite period, effective October 1, 2024, and will be in addition to other excise or sales taxes levied by the city or any other taxing authority, upon gross proceeds or gross receipts derived from all sales to any person taxable under the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code, and is intended to be used to provide funds to complete projects/expenditures being funded by the 2.125% tax, along with new projects/expenditures enabled by the extension as set forth in the proposition. For the purpose of informing the public, the full text of the Resolution will be published in the Lawton Constitution.
EXHIBIT: Resolution No. 24-___; Election Proclamation
KEY ISSUES: N/A
FUNDING SOURCE: General Fund - Election Expenses
STAFF RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: Approve Resolution No. 2024-___.