April 7 One-Cent Sales Tax Increase Election '26
Proposition Resources
"Shall Ordinance No. 1075(26) of the City of Moore, Oklahoma be approved which levies and assesses an additional excise (sales) tax of one percent (1.000%) in addition to all other excise or sales taxes levied by the City or any other taxing authority, upon the gross proceeds or gross receipts derived from all sales to any person taxable under the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code; providing that the additional one percent (1.000%) excise or sales tax shall commence July 1, 2026; and which Ordinance further states that all revenues and proceeds from said tax shall be used for the following capital improvement projects: (i) Ninety percent (90%) of the proceeds of the sales tax shall be designated for streets, sewer, drainage, facilities, property acquisition and engineering; and (ii) Ten percent (10%) of the proceeds of the sales tax shall be designated for public safety operations and equipment, as specified in the Ordinance?
Videos from the council meetings where the proposal was discussed, please click below:
City Council Meeting - February 2, 2026 (starts at 5:05)
Overview of the Proposition and the vote to place on the April 7 ballot
City Council Meeting - October 6, 2025 (starts at 58:14)
City Council Meeting - November 17, 2025 (starts at 1:06:50)
City Council Meeting - December 15, 2025 (start at 44:32)
City Council Meeting - January 5, 2026 (starts at 30:00)
City Council Meeting - January 20, 2026 (starts at 15:15)
Q: Will this negatively impact sales in Moore?
A: Our own data from past sales tax increases show no negative impact on sales. The National Bureau of Economic Research suggests leakage due to tax avoidance is small and short-lived. Other cities and counties in the metro-OKC area are also considering an increase, ultimately leveling the playing field.
If you spend $10 today, you would be taxed:
86 cents in Oklahoma City
88 cents in Norman
91 cents in Midwest City
85 cents in Moore (95 cents should the proposition pass)
Q: Will my property taxes go down if we shift to using sales tax for capital projects?
A: If the proposition passes, the City’s portion of your property taxes will begin to decrease once the current bonds are paid off. Below are the conservative estimates of the City's millage rate declining through 2030.
| Year: | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
| Millage Rate: | 16.4 | 14.6 | 12.7 | 10.6 | 8.4 |
Q: Why can’t the City of Moore “live within its means”?
A: Cities in Oklahoma operate primarily on sales tax revenue. Moore’s 65,000+ population requires all and then some of our annual sales tax revenue just to offer basic services. Any capital improvements such as road replacement, flooding mitigation, sewer upgrades, public facilities, etc. have traditionally been funded through general obligation bonds. Our proposal is to shift from general obligation bonds to sales tax funding. This allows for:
-Moore’s improvements to be funded from those outside of our city who shop here (conservatively 30% of the revenue) and
-The City of Moore’s portion of the property taxes to decrease
Q: How much money is expected to be generated and how will it be allocated?
A: The proposed increase would generate approximately $12 million per year. The allocation will be 90% to capital improvements (such as road replacement, drainage mitigation, sewer upgrades, public facilities, etc.) and 10% to public safety (operations and equipment).
Q: Will residents have input into what capital improvement projects are considered?
A: Yes. Residents will continue to have input regarding the projects City Council considers funding.
Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 p.m. - Moore Police Advancement Center - Mtg. Room - 1319 N. Janeway
Wednesday, April 1, 6:30 p.m. - The Station Recreation Center - Mtg. Room - 700 S. Broadway
Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. - Moore Community Center - Mtg. Room -
301 S. Howard
Currently, the City must fund capital projects through general obligation bonds as approved by the voters. Moore City Council seeks to shift the City's funding model which would require increasing the sales tax rate one percent. This would lower the City's portion of the property taxes over time, as the bonds are paid off.
- Moore's sales tax revenue comes from sales within our city limits, over 30% (conservatively) of which is paid by those residing outside of our city limits.
- The sales tax in Moore, charged on purchases, is currently 8.5%. Of this amount the City receives 3.875%, the state 4.5% and Cleveland County 0.125%.
- The proposed increase would take Moore's sales tax rate from 8.5% to 9.5%. Currently, Midwest City is 9.1%, OKC is 8.625% and Norman is 8.75%. The median rate for the state is 9.25%.
- The proposed increase would be permanent and would be used for capital projects (streets, drainage, sewer upgrades, public facilities, etc.) and public safety (operations and equipment).
- The proposed increase would generate approximately $12 million per year.
- The increase would have to be voted in by Moore residents on April 7, 2026.
Revenue generated from the one-cent sales tax would be used to fund needs like capital improvements (streets, drainage, sewer upgrades, public facilities, etc.) and public safety (operations and equipment). General obligation bonds have been used in the past which are then paid through property taxes. The council understands the impact rising property taxes have on household budgets and are proposing a shift in our funding model from solely general obligation bonds to primarily sales tax. This would allow the City's portion of the property tax to decrease as our obligation bonds come to an end.