During a regular meeting on Sept. 8, the City Council approved the addition of two sales tax renewal propositions on the Nov. 18 ballot. Voters in Edmond will have the chance to once again decide whether to continue the one-cent general fund sales tax and the ½-cent Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) sales tax. These taxes are up for a 10-year renewal, with Proposition 1 being critical for the operation of 32 budget divisions, primarily police and fire, and Proposition 2 aimed at funding road improvements for the city.
The general fund sales tax, which voters have regularly approved since 1977, does not seek to increase the current rate but merely to keep it steady at 8.25 percent. According to the City of Edmond's announcement, this move will "continue the current sales tax rate." The ½-cent CIP sales tax, initially greenlighted in 2016, specifically targets traffic efficiency and driving conditions as key areas to desperately improve.
As the primary source of funding for city services and quality initiatives, the sales tax has been significant in maintaining Edmond’s public offerings. Out of the 8.25 percent sales tax rate, 4.5 percent is funneled directly to the state, leaving the city with 3.75 percent. This configuration sees Edmond sitting below the metro area's average, where most neighboring communities face rates at or above 8.5 percent, as per the City of Edmond's announcement.
Residents will have the opportunity to vote on the continuation of the city’s current sales tax propositions, with no increase proposed. If approved, the funding for essential public services will remain at existing levels, maintaining the current allocation of resources for city programs.
