2018 Sales Tax Election

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2018 Half-Cent Sales Tax Passed by Voters

2018 0.5% Sales Tax Election - THANK YOU for the decision you made on June 26, 2018.

The Shawnee City Commission approved all necessary ordinances and actions on April 2, 2018, to send a sales tax question to the citizens of Shawnee known as Proposition #4.  Propositions 1-3 information is also included below.  

Proposition #4 passed and increased the current sales tax rate by one-half (0.50)  percent.  Prior to the vote, the current combined sales tax rate was 8.995%.  At that time, the sales tax was divided as follows:  State: 4.5%, County: 1.495%, City: 3.0% (total: 8.995%).  With the voters' approval, the new sales tax rate was set to 9.495%.   The new rate became effective on October 1, 2018, and will expire on September 30, 2028.  The proposal raised the City portion to 3.5%, which was the lowest City-specific portion of any of the top 20 cities in Oklahoma based on population in 2018.  For regional and statewide comparisons, please see these tables

The increased sales tax is specifically allocated for capital improvements in the following manner:

     Public Safety: 25% (0.125% sales tax)
     Streets/Roads: 25% (0.125% sales tax)
     Parks/Public Facilities: 50% (0.25% sales tax)

The sales tax is temporary (10 years) and projected to generate approximately $30 million during this timeframe for capital projects and equipment.  Proposed projects that are slated are as follows:

Public Safety
*Police Headquarters Building
*New Fire Engine
*Fire Station Improvements (Station No. 1, Station No. 3).  Station assessment reports can be found here: Station 1, Station 3
*Emergency Management (warning system enhancements)
Streets/Roads
*Funds allocated for major improvements to 45th Street (from west of Kickapoo to east of Harrison)
*Funds allocated for routine maintenance, repaving and concrete panel replacement
Parks/Public Facilities
*Funds implementation of Phase 1 of the Parks Master Plan Design.  To view the full Parks Master Plan Design Document, please click here.  The full plan includes six key parks: Woodland Veterans, Boy Scout, KidSpace, Dean Weigant, Optimist, and Celebration of Life.
*Major enhancements to the Shawnee EXPO (2018 EXPO Master Plan can be viewed here)
*Additional funds for sidewalks and trails
*Major improvements to the: Senior Center, Community Center, Santa Fe Depot, Library

The City Commission adopted a full list of anticipated projects, which can be found here.
For the latest update on project progress, please go to the Meeting Videos page  and view the content under the “Financial Matters” heading.

A list of all propositions can be found here.  A brief summary can be found on this sheet.

Proposition #1 passed:  This proposition clarifies when City Commissioners and the Mayor take office and provides that they take office on the first Monday of the month, following their election (regular or runoff).

Proposition #2 passed:  This proposition concerns the appointment of the Vice-Mayor, which is done on an annual basis by the City Commission.  It clarifies the timing of the appointment when there is a general election, runoff election, or in years with no election.

Proposition #3 passed:  Changes the method of ordering the holding of elections by allowing the City to pass a resolution in accordance with State law.  City Charter currently requires passage of an ordinance.

kidspace