This 1% sales tax is a fair and effective solution to keep Claremore moving forward.
By investing just one penny per dollar, we can:
✔ Maintain and improve our electric grid, roads and infrastructure
✔ Keep public safety services strong
✔ Ensure long-term economic stability
✔ Prevent higher costs from deferred maintenance
✔ Keep Claremore a great place to live, work and raise a family
Claremore is a growing, thriving community, but our infrastructure, emergency services and public resources are struggling to keep up with rising costs and increasing demands. Our city is at a crossroads: we must reinvest in ourselves now or risk falling further behind.
Right now, we rely heavily on utility revenues to cover essential city services, an unsustainable solution that could lead to higher utility rates for residents and businesses.
The cost of maintaining roads, electrical grid, emergency services and city infrastructure has skyrocketed due to inflation, rising materials costs and labor costs. Without diversified revenue, we face additional deferred maintenance, potential reduction in services and a strain on our ability to support economic growth. Due to funding limitations, Claremore’s current 5-Year Capital Project List is projected to take 17 years to complete. Additionally, the city faces an estimated $387 million in unmet infrastructure needs beyond the scope of this plan. View the full list here.
This is why we are proposing a 1% (1 penny per dollar) sales tax—a fair, responsible and necessary investment in Claremore’s future.
Maps of Capital Project LocationsA Penny for Progress. This initiative adds just one cent per dollar on taxable goods and services, ensuring a broad contribution. Everyone contributes—including visitors—not just homeowners and business owners, helping fund community improvements with shared responsibility. With Claremore’s current sales tax rate at only 3%, one of the lowest in the state, increasing it to 4% would better align with the state average while supporting local growth.
Safe Roads, Reliable Services. – This tax will fund road repairs, emergency response improvements, and essential city services including power, water, and sanitary sewer. Well-maintained roads mean fewer costly repairs for drivers, and strong public safety ensures our city remains a safe, desirable place to live and work.
Boosting Our Local Economy. – Businesses rely on quality infrastructure and city services. This investment will help attract new businesses and jobs, support local commerce, including existing small business and ensure long-term economic stability for Claremore.
Local Control, Local Benefits. – Every dollar raised stays right here, funding local priorities that matter most. This initiative ensures our community – not state or federal governments – decides how to invest in Claremore’s growth and prosperity.
A Smarter, More Responsible Plan.– Without this initiative, the city will have to consider increases in utility revenues to cover budget gaps, which will result in higher utility rates for residents and businesses. This tax ensures an equitable revenue source for the critical services we all depend on.
View the 2024 City Department HighlightsWithout additional investment, Claremore’s roads and infrastructure will continue to decline, leading to higher long-term repair costs and safety concerns.
Rising costs mean our police, fire, and emergency response teams will struggle to keep up with increasing demand. Delayed response times and outdated equipment put people and property at risk.
Businesses need reliable infrastructure and city services to meet their growing needs. Without improvements, we risk losing out on job growth and new business opportunities.
The budget depends on transfers from utility revenues to fund basic city operations. If we don’t pass this initiative, Claremore may have to increase the reliability on utility revenues to make up the shortfall.