East OKC News

At a Special City Council Meeting this evening, Councilmembers approved a sales tax proposal that will now be placed on the ballot for Midwest City voters in September 2023. The proposal would extend an existing sales tax that is currently dedicated to the renovation and upgrade of Midwest City’s Water Resources Recovery Facility (WRRF).

When it was approved by voters in November 2011, the WRRF tax was originally scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2025. The tax could also sunset if the debt on the WRRF project was satisfied before the 2025 sunset date. Staff currently estimates that the WRRF tax could sunset by late Fall 2023.

Included in the new proposal approved by council, the tax would no longer sunset, keeping Midwest City’s sales tax rate the same at 9.1%. Eighty percent (80%) of the collected sales tax under the new proposal would be dedicated to unfunded or underfunded capital improvement projects identified, proposed and approved each year by the City Council and by the City Manager. Twenty percent (20%) of the collected sales tax would be dedicated to maintenance, operations and upgrades to City of Midwest City Parks & Recreation facilities.

Currently, the .4015% WRRF tax collected from Midwest City’s portion of the 9.1% sales tax rate brings in approximately $4.5 million per year. Nearly 100 capital improvement projects have been identified that could utilize the tax dollars collected under this new proposal. Some of the ongoing projects could include the following:

•    Improvements to drainage and stormwater controls throughout the city;

•    Improvements to sanitary sewer capacity throughout the city;

•    Extending utility services throughout the city, and;

•    Improvements to streets throughout the city.

Additionally, there is very little dedicated funding for the maintenance and improvement of the 30 parks located in Midwest City. A majority of these parks, which are small neighborhood parks used by nearby residents, contain aged equipment and are in need of upgrades. Master studies would be conducted to help identify and prioritize park projects.

With the council’s approval tonight, Midwest City residents will now have the opportunity to vote on the proposal during an election on September 12, 2023. Town hall meetings and informational presentations will be scheduled for voters to attend and ask questions about the sales tax proposal. Residents can watch for updates regarding these meetings and presentations on MidwestCityOK.org. Relevant information will also be posted to official City of Midwest City social media accounts. 

Original source can be found here.