By Suzanne Mackey
suzanne.mackey@gcnews-star.com
Wynnewood voters will go to the polls in February to decide whether to allow an additional half-cent sales tax to be levied by the town.
Wynnewood city council members unanimously approved two measures during their Dec. 11 regular meeting that pave the way for a Feb. 13 election for voters to weigh in on the proposed sales tax increase.
The revenue generated from the proposed tax would be allocated to the town’s general fund and used to support city government functions.
During the Dec. 11 meeting, council members estimated the proposed half-cent increase could provide an additional $20,000 a month to the town’s coffers.
Wynnewood Mayor Keith Huitt said the additional revenue is needed to help the town pay down outstanding debt that has been accrued in recent years, including bond debt incurred for a water plant project, payments on police vehicles, “and various other things.”
“The city is deeply in debt. That’s the primary thing. That’s why we need the sales tax increase,” said Huitt, who has been Wynnewood’s mayor since April. “Do we want to do it? No. But, other than raising utility rates, it’s really our only source for revenue increase, and we are not prepared to raise utility rates. I won’t put bells and whistles on it. That’s why we need it, and we NEED it. And we encourage voters to pass it.”
If approved, the halfcent increase would raise Wynnewood’s city sales tax to 4.5%, on par with Pauls Valley’s current sales tax rate. Most other Garvin County communities currently have sales tax rates of 4%, except for Paoli, which is at 3%.