Norman council deadlocks on proposed Sooner Mall sales‑tax rebate after hours of debate

The Norman City Council narrowly rejected a proposed five‑year economic development agreement with Sooner Fashion Mall on June 23, voting 4–4 after extended public comment and council discussion. The proposal would have reimbursed mall capital improvements from future sales tax revenue under a capped, performance‑style arrangement; council members were split over transparency, public benefit and economic return.

Derek Cowwell, the mall’s manager, framed the request as a partnership to revitalize a decades‑old regional retail center. "This is a community center," Cowwell said, asking the council to approve a reimbursement structure that the mall argued would help attract tenants and spur investment. He described the mall’s role in hosting voting, health clinics and community events and said owners had a five‑year capital plan tied to the rebate.

Opponents challenged the economic case and the process. Steve Ellis, a longtime Ward 4 commenter, told councilors his analysis showed the rebate would require taxable sales at the mall to grow by more than double a plausible baseline to produce a net fiscal benefit for the city. "In order for this rebate to make sense, the taxable sales at the mall have to be 2.26 times what they would be under the ‘but‑for’ condition," Ellis said, urging councilors to reject the deal as a subsidy without clear public return.

Other speakers warned the rebate could amount to corporate welfare, risk cannibalizing existing Norman businesses, and lacked safeguards to ensure public benefit. Supporters — including several residents and local business advocates — urged the council to use the tool to keep tax dollars and foot traffic in Norman and to avoid a downward spiral that leaves large vacant retail parcels.

Council debate focused on process and policy. Several council members said they wanted a transparent, citywide retail incentive policy rather than a one‑off deal. Council Member Grant said he supported the idea of tools to help retail but preferred a framework that applied equally to other businesses. Mayor Hullman and others noted demographic and population growth in Norman but expressed concern about approving a single agreement without policy guardrails.

When the final vote was taken the motion to approve the agreement failed by a 4–4 vote. The mayor announced the vote tally as the motion failed, and council members who opposed the measure cited inadequate assurances that public funds would produce the promised public benefits.

The mall manager said he remains open to working with the city on alternative approaches and welcomed a broader retail incentive program. Council members and staff signaled interest in pursuing a formal retail incentive policy or a TIFF‑style master plan that would set transparent, citywide criteria before granting rebates to private property owners.

Outcome and next steps: The proposed agreement was not approved. Councilors and staff said they would explore options to craft a transparent economic development framework that could apply to the mall and to other businesses seeking city support; several members suggested the item and a possible retail‑rebate policy would be topics for council committees and the upcoming council retreat.