WATONGA – Blaine County and area voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Feb. 8, with several important questions in the balance.
Watonga voters will decide on a proposition for new school facilities; Hinton voters will be asked whether to approve a sales-tax increase for infrastructure funds; and locals served by the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center will vote on a new building fund for the district.
There is no election in Geary on Tuesday.
Watonga bond
Blaine County voters served by Watonga Public Schools will vote Tuesday on whether to approve a nearly $20 million bond to build new athletics and cafeteria facilities for the district.
The bond would allow construction of a new high school gymnasium for basketball, wrestling and assemblies; a concessions, restroom, locker and weight room facility in the football field end zone; and a new elementary cafeteria. It also funds improvements to the district’s wrestling facilities.
The district has also promised parking improvements, a STEM lab for science and technology education on both its campuses, and other upgrades should the bond pass.
The district is asking for a 7.49% property tax increase, which equates to just over $70 per year for a $100,000 property. The proposition must pass with at least 60% of the vote to be approved.
Hinton tax
Down in Hinton, residents will be asked to slightly increase the town sales tax rate to help Hinton finance various infrastructure projects on its wish list.
Currently, Hinton residents pay a 9% sales tax, of which 3% goes to the town. The other 6% goes to the state (4.5%) and to Caddo County (1.5%).
The town is asking for an increase of 0.75 percentage points; if passed, the proposition would bring the overall sales tax rate to 9.75%, of which 3.75% would go to the town.
The tax increase would last for 10 years under the proposition, after which it would expire or be placed on voters’ ballots again for an extension.
Among the projects Hinton wants to tackle with the extra funds are a waterline extension; a sewer line extension north of downtown; repairs to the Great Plains prison lagoon; and a water treatment plan to lower arsenic levels to comply with EPA standards.
Caddo Kiowa
There are two propositions on the ballot Tuesday for anyone living within the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center area. This will primarily impact Caddo County but also portions of surrounding counties including southwestern Canadian County and some parts of southern Blaine County, including Hydro.
CKTC is asking voters to approve a property tax increase and raise the millage rate from 1 to 5 mills. With the increase, CKTC hopes to improve its facilities.
The tech school wants to address building safety by installing more fire alarms and sprinkler systems, redesign its childcare center, improve training facilities for local volunteer fire departments, and improve other campus infrastructure.
A second question would make the increase indefinite, unless another election is called. If the tax increase passed but not the second proposition, it would have to be voted on annually.
The district has created a Q&A resource online at www.cktc.edu/millage.
Early voting is available on Thursday and Friday of this week. Election Day is Tuesday, Feb. 8. To find your polling place, visit okvoterportal.okelections.us