JERRY FINK

MANAGING EDITOR

Eufaulans who have not already registered to vote have until Monday, Jan. 17, to register in order to participate in the Feb. 11 Special Election that will decide whether to raise the city sales tax by one cent to pay for street repairs.

Registration applications must be received by the Election Board or postmarked no later than midnight, Jan. 17. Applications postmarked after that time will be accepted but will not be processed until after the Feb. 11 Election.

Applications may also be submitted to any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency by the submission deadline.

Early voting will take place at the courthouse from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 6 and 7.

Long a topic of concern, the city’s streets have been in major disrepair for decades.

In February, voters will be able to take action to do something about it.

Or not.

The proposition states: Shall the City of Eufaula be authorized to levy and assess a City excise tax (sales tax) of one percent (1.0%), in addition to all other City, County, and State excise taxes presently being levied or assessed, upon the gross proceeds or gross receipts derived from all sales taxable under the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code; providing the proceeds of such tax shall be used to fund street improvements and/or for the payment of debt service in connection with obligations heretofore issued or to be issued by the City and any public trust having the City as beneficiary thereof to finance or refinance said street improvements; and provided said excise tax shall be levied beginning July 1, 2025 and terminating June 30, 2040; all as more specifically set out in Ordinance No. 24-11-1 of the City?

At a special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21 the city council agreed to ask voters to increase the city sales tax by 1 cent in order to raise $8.5 million for the street project.

If voters agree in February to the tax hike, the city can create an $8.5 million loan package, move forward with engineering and create a final work plan.

“The engineers’ assessment will determine where the project will start,” Jones said.

The street project is expected to be finished in two years.

Jones said the streets are in bad shape, just like the water and sewer lines were when work began on them.

A 1-cent sales tax would bump Eufaula’s tax from 3.5 cents to 4.5 cents.

Persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 17 ½ years old are eligible to apply for voter registration. However, you must be at least 18 years old to vote. Only voters registered at an address within the municipal boundaries of the City of Eufaula will be eligible to vote in this election.

Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been processed.

Approved voters will receive a Voter Identification Card in the mail. Some may receive a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application was not approved. Those who do not receive a response within 30 days of submitting their application should contact the County Election Board office immediately.

Registered voters who have moved to Mc-Intosh County from a different county or state will need to complete a new Voter Registration Application in order to be eligible for elections in McIntosh County.

If you have moved within the county and need to update your address, or if your name has changed, you may make changes online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma. gov/elections/ovp or complete a Voter Registration Application.

Voter Registration Applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma. gov/elections. You may also complete a form at your County Election Board. Most post offices, tag agencies, and public libraries have applications available upon request.

The McIntosh County Election Board is located on the first floor of the McIntosh County Courthouse and is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board by email to mcintoshcounty@elections. ok.gov, by phone at (918) 689-2452, or follow us on Facebook social media.