Economic Development Tax Extension Passes

January 8, 2019

By Charlene Belew The Duncan Banner

A local voter at the Calvary Baptist Church precinct votes in the Duncan Jan. 8, 2019 election after getting off work as voters decide on a sales tax continuation. Andy Morphew/The Duncan Banner

The City of Duncan has once again approved an extension for a tax that originated in 1994. The tax extension used for City of Duncan and Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF) will continue on for another five years after an overwhelming win, following trends shown in every year the tax has been up for renewal.

Unofficial election results showed the tax extension took a majority with 990 votes  or 66.71 percent for the proposition and 494 votes or 33.29 percent against the proposition.

Of those votes, 60 were early votes and 23 were absentee votes. Of those who voted early, 34 said yes for the measure while 26 rejected it. Of the absentee voters 12 approved the tax extension and 11 said no. A total of 1,484 voted this election.

Because these are unofficial election results, they will not include provisional ballot results until after 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. Official results will be released at a later time.

President of DAEDF Lyle Roggow first wanted to thank every person who cast a ballot.

“First of, I want to thank each and every person that got out to vote, whether you voted for or against the proposition, just exercising your right to vote is what matters,” Roggow said. 

While the measure was successful, Roggow wants Stephens County residents to know this isn’t just for the people who filled in the bubble next to the “yes” on the ballot.

“For those who supported the measure, thank you for your continued support and understanding what we need to do for Duncan to make it a great place and diversify our economy,” Roggow said. “For those who voted against it, we will work harder to gain your trust.”

After some outcry on social media before the election, Roggow wants all voters to know he works for them.

“We understand some of your issues and concerns,” he said.

The extension of the half-cent sales tax will direct funds toward two causes: city of Duncan infrastructure and DAEDF.

The existing one-half of one percent city excise tax is to be used exclusively to fund economic development activities and for the creation of jobs and support of existing jobs within the city. 

Infrastructure wise, the city of Duncan is allowed to use their quarter-cent earnings for improving city streets, water conservation projects and electric utilities distribution.

The other quarter-cent goes into the DAEDF trust held by the DAEDF Trust Authority, which is a board comprised of the city council members.

Any money taken out from the account is then voted on at council meetings in a segment designated for the DAEDF Trust Authority.

By law, the half-cent sales tax must be placed on the ballot by the city council every five years for it to continue. The tax was first approved in 1994 and has passed every five years since.

Duncan voters extended the half-cent sales tax for another five years the last time in 2014 with 70.9 percent of the vote. This was the first time the sales tax was split into two accounts, however.

Before the tax continuation went to vote this time, both parties amended the 2009 documentation for the 2014 contract to allow for the splitting of the tax, while also allowing the city manager or another individual appointed by the DAEDF Trust Authority to appoint someone to sit on the DAEDF Board of Directors as a full voting member of the board.

The extension will continue until April 14, 2024.

DAEDF’s contract and partnership between the city of Duncan will be back on the table this spring.