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Municipal Leaders in Oklahoma Say Cities Must Have More Revenue Options

Oklahoma Municipal League

Oklahoma cities are in trouble because of the limited ways they have of raising revenue. It’s the message city leaders are trying to get out during the Oklahoma Municipal League meeting going on this week in Tulsa. 66% of city and town revenues are from sales taxes. Oklahoma is the only state where municipalities don’t receive ad valorem, or property taxes. It’s creating a crisis, according to Ponca City Mayor Homer Nicholson, the Oklahoma Mayor’s Council President.

Nicholson says there are some possible solutions…give cities some ad valorem taxes, reduce or eliminate sales tax exemptions, and tax internet sales. All of those would take state or federal legislative action.