Meeting Summary
This city council candidate forum featured three candidates: Tim Hardin, Nathan Brubaker, and Yuki Clark. They discussed various topics including the annual budget process, property tax revenue for city operations, homelessness, infrastructure improvements, affordable housing, and crime. The candidates also shared their views on community events, volunteer work, and the upcoming school bond issue.
Upcoming Community Events
City Council Candidate Forum
Moderated by Joanne Muir of the League of Women Voters. Candidates gave opening and closing statements and answered questions.
State Question 820 Forum
7 PM at OCT Tulsa, live-streamed, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Oklahoma.
Early Voting
8 AM to 6 PM at the election board in the Gloria Hesser room.
Regular Voting
At your precinct.
Financial Matters
Annual Budget Process
Discussion on ensuring resident priorities are addressed and balancing citizen wants with departmental needs.
Property Tax Revenue for City Operations
Debate on allowing cities to receive property tax revenue, current constitutional limitations, and the impact of tax-exempt properties.
Infrastructure Improvement Funding
Discussion on reconciling the need for infrastructure improvements with the lack of an adequate tax base, exploring grants, developer partnerships, and public-private partnerships.
3/8% Sales Tax Increase (County)
Discussion on the renewal of an existing county sales tax for fire protection, sheriff's protection, the Expo Center, and roads. Clarified that it is not an increase but a renewal.
School Bond Issue
Discussion on the upcoming school bond issue, its purpose (replacing Cimarron Plaza with a new high school), and the impact of inflation on construction costs.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- State Question 820 Forum: February 7th
- Early Voting: Next Thursday and Friday
- Regular Voting: February 14th
Watch For
- Future discussions on the Booker T. Washington School's purpose and refurbishment.
- Further developments on the alternate pipeline for Stillwater's water supply.
- The outcome of the state question vote on recreational marijuana on March 7th.
Announcements
- The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma has a State Question 820 Forum scheduled for February 7th at 7 PM at OCT Tulsa, which will be live-streamed.
- Early voting will be held next Thursday and Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM at the election board in the Gloria Hesser room.
- Regular voting is on February 14th at your precinct.
Agenda Summary
Annual Budget Process
Discussion on how candidates would approach the annual budget process to ensure resident priorities are addressed.
Property Tax Revenue for City Operations
Candidates' positions on proposing legislation to allow cities to receive property tax revenue for city operations.
Homelessness in Stillwater
Plans to help the homeless during cold weather and the provision of transportation to the Mission of Hope.
Infrastructure Improvement and Tax Base
Ideas on how to reconcile the need for infrastructure improvement and the lack of an adequate tax base for Stillwater.
Affordable Housing
Discussion on what Stillwater can do to create more affordable housing.
Significant Changes Needed in Stillwater
Candidates' views on the three most significant changes needed in Stillwater and how to achieve them.
Funding for Increased Needs (OSU Growth)
Innovative ways to provide money to support increased needs in infrastructure, education, and parks as Stillwater's population and OSU grow, given the inability to tax OSU.
Volunteer Work
Candidates' involvement in volunteer work and how it helps the community.
Crime Spike
How the council can assist in addressing the recent spike in crime.
New Funding Sources
Ideas for new money sources not currently available to the city, including public-private partnerships and grants.
3/8% Sales Tax Increase (County)
Discussion on the upcoming ballot item for the renewal of the 3/8% county sales tax and how to promote it to lower-income residents.
City's Water Supply
Discussion on ensuring the city's water supply is adequate, given concerns about aging infrastructure.
Marijuana Dispensaries and Legalization
Anticipated business turnover due to dispensary licenses, the potential for Stillwater to become a 'marijuana capital,' and the benefits and concerns if recreational marijuana is legalized.
Community Events and Diversity/Inclusion
Candidates' thoughts on community events and programs that promote diversity and inclusion, such as Pride and the Booker T. Washington School project.
Citizen Input Opportunities
Plans for assuring Stillwater citizens have adequate opportunity to provide input on issues or concerns.
Report on City Parks
Thoughts on the report on city parks done last year by an Oklahoma City consultant.
Evaluating Economic Data and Project Management
Specific training or experience candidates have to evaluate economic data for proposed city projects and manage/oversee approved projects.
School Bond Issue
Support for the upcoming school bond issue on the ballot.
Communication with Spanish Speakers
How to provide for better communication between Spanish speakers and English speakers in Stillwater.
Consistent Management and Statute Interpretation
How to ensure consistent management and statute interpretation over time when city staff and council members change.
COVID-19 Business Shutdowns
Agreement on shutting down businesses if there is a recurrence of COVID-19 infections.