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Council calls special election for November on sales-tax extensions to fund roads and public safety
Summary
The council approved ordinances and a proclamation to put two temporary sales-tax extensions before voters on Nov. 18, 2025: a half‑cent CIP tax earmarked for streets and a one‑cent temporary sales tax that funds police, fire and general operations.
Edmond City Council authorized documents to place sales-tax extension questions on a special election ballot to be held Nov. 18, 2025. The measures would extend two temporary sales taxes that are scheduled to expire in March 2027: a half-cent capital-improvement-project (CIP) sales tax and a one-cent temporary general-fund sales tax.
City staff told the council there is no tax-rate increase in the proposal; this is an extension only. Staff briefed the council on revenue estimates: the 1¢ general-fund sales tax generates approximately $24 million a year (two-thirds of that supports police and fire and one-third supports general operations) and the half-cent CIP sales tax generates roughly $12 million a year. Under the proposed ballot language the CIP half-cent would be committed to street and road improvements and any debt service issued for that purpose; the proposal also allows the projects to be funded from other revenue streams if they become available.
Councilmembers discussed community concerns, particularly funding for parks and recreation. Staff said permanent CIP and park-tax revenue streams would remain available for quality-of-life projects; several councilmembers and members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board said they had met with staff and were satisfied with assurances that parks funding levels would be largely sustained. The council also heard from Chamber of Commerce representatives and from residents urging clarity on how revenues will be allocated.
The council moved and passed separate motions for the ordinance amendments, resolution and the special-election proclamation; votes on the related items recorded in the packet were unanimous (each item passed 5-0).
Ending: With council approval the city will publish election materials and proceed with ballot preparation and outreach; staff indicated it will continue public communication about how the CIP and general-fund revenues would be allocated if voters approve the extension.
