With only about three percent of the registered voters in Seminole participating, a proposal to levy a 1/8 cent excise tax to fund a new sewer system was approved in a special election Tuesday.

Of the 6,533 eligible voters in the city, 166 said “yes” to the proposal and 46 rejected the measure. According to the Oklahoma State Election Board, 180 voters turned out on election day, 13 voted by absentee ballot and 19 took advantage of early voting, which was offered Wednesday and Thursday of last week.

Seminole Mayor Cory Crabtree thanked Seminole voters for approving the referendum, which was approved by the Seminole City Council on May 6. The council called the election after discussing ways to fund the new plant, which ended up costing twice as much as originally estimated.

“The next few generations will continue to build our community without worrying about wastewater because our voters took on the responsibility of paying it forward,” Crabtree said. “Seminole’s progress would not have been possible without the vision and determination of the leaders through the years who laid the foundation. But even the best leaders fail without citizen’s support. The City Council and I are humbled that our voters have faith in us to improve their lives.”

City Manager Steve Saxon also expressed his gratitude to voters for approving the tax.

“Wastewater isn’t something people notice until it’s a problem. Fortunately, our citizens understand (Continued from Page 1) said.

In November 2021, Seminole voters approved the extension of a half-cent sales tax to pay for a $20 million plant, but since then construction costs have risen to $40 million.

The new tax will go into effect Oct. 1 and remain in effect for 40 years, or until the debt is paid in full.