DURANT, Okla. (KXII) – “The main thing that we’re focused on is safety, whether it’s road safety or public safety with the sheriff’s office,” said the District 1 Commissioner.
Bryan county leaders are asking voters to approve an additional “penny” sales tax, split into two propositions. Three quarters of one percent will be for road and bridge maintenance and another quarter percent for the sheriff’s office.
Currently, only a half cent sales tax is in effect. District one commissioner, Scott Goad, says voting for both of these propositions would be an investment in the future of Bryan County.
“If we were able to pass both propositions, we would be at one and a half cents,” said Goad. “So we’re looking at an additional penny out of every dollar, which adds up. And I get that. But a small investment would yield great results for the county.”
Goad’s district has the highest population density out of the three districts that make up Bryan County. He says there are plenty of high traffic roads on his to-do list, which proposition one aims to fix.
For example, South Ranchette Rd in the Mead area, Streetman going toward Lakeside, and Leavenworth Trail, which is the “cut through” road from Highway-70 to Colbert.
Proposition two could lead to more deputies on campuses protecting students and staff.
In 2021, a similar proposition failed. Goad says this go round, the proper team is in place and plans to be transparent with allocated funds.
Goad says many think he and his counterparts have loads of money at their disposal that they are unwilling to use on these adjustments, but he says that isn’t the case.
If both propositions get a majority, he says it could finally place Bryan county ahead of where it is now, in comparison to surrounding counties.
“Almost everyone in southeastern Oklahoma, in our area at least, and the counties that we touch, they’re all at 2%,” said Goad.
Funds Goad says Bryan county needs to maintain roads and keep law and order.
“As a taxpayer, I don’t want to pay more taxes,” said Goad. “I just know that we have no other avenue to increase the revenue that we have coming into the county. The only other option we have is to call for a sales tax.”
The deadline to register to vote is October 1. You can also change affiliation, change address, etc. Forms can be downloaded from the OK Voter Portal from the county election board at the courthouse 402 W Evergreen St, Durant, OK 74701.
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