On April 7th’s ballot, a proposal will permanently raise your property taxes if you live in these 5 counties, Creek, Payne, Lincoln, Pawnee, and Osage. This ballot question will hit working class families, seniors and individuals on fixed incomes the hardest.
While Oklahomans are dealing with inflation, rising costs, a diminishing dollar, and economic uncertainty, Central Technology Center is quietly asking voters in five counties to permanently increase their property taxes. The April 7th proposition would raise property taxes by 2 mills, maxing out Central Tech’s millage at 5 mills across Creek, Payne, Lincoln, Pawnee, and Osage Counties.
Here’s the problem: very few people even know this is on the ballot.
The Stealth Tax Increase!
This isn’t a temporary funding measure. This isn’t emergency relief. This is a permanent property tax increase that would max out Central Tech’s taxing authority at the highest level allowed. Once passed, this 2-mill increase becomes part of your property tax bill forever.
Property taxes are cumulative, meaning they stack on top of each other. Every mill approved by every taxing authority gets added to your annual bill. For homeowners already struggling with rising property values and existing tax burdens, this represents another permanent bite out of their budget.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Oklahoma families are dealing with:
• Inflation driving up grocery, gas, and utility costs
• Rising insurance premiums
• Increased housing costs
• Economic uncertainty from global conflicts
And now Central Tech wants to lock in a permanent tax increase while hoping most voters won’t notice.
Who Gets Hit Hardest?
Property taxes are particularly brutal for people on fixed incomes. Seniors who own their homes outright still get hammered every year by rising property tax bills. They can’t just move or downsize easily, and their incomes don’t grow to match tax increases.
Working families already stretching every dollar to cover mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and gas now face another permanent increase in their property tax bills. Young families trying to buy their first homes will see this tax burden factored into their monthly payments for the next 30 years.
Small business owners and farmers in these five counties will see their property tax obligations increase permanently, adding to operating costs that get passed along to consumers or absorbed by reduced profits.
What Central Tech Isn’t Telling You
Central Technology Center operates campuses in Drumright and Sapulpa and provides workforce training and business services.
But here’s what they’re not advertising about this ballot measure:
It’s permanent. This isn’t a bond issue that gets paid off. This is a permanent increase in their millage rate that stays on your tax bill forever.
It maxes them out. This 2-mill increase would bring Central Tech to their maximum allowable millage of 5 mills, which is a significant increase. They’re asking for their full taxing authority in one vote.
It affects five counties, Creek, Payne, Lincoln, Pawnee, and Osage. Residents in School District 3 would all see their property taxes increase permanently.
It’s flying under the radar. There’s been minimal public discussion, debate, or awareness about this significant tax increase. After a media search on this tax increase proposal, here is what I found.
KEY FINDINGS 🎯
1. ZERO mainstream media coverage of this 2-mill property tax increase
2. NO social media discussions or awareness campaigns
3. NO opposition coverage from conservative or taxpayer advocacy groups
4. NO coverage by local news in the 5 affected counties
5. Complete silence from Oklahoma political/policy organizations
The Bigger Picture
This ballot measure represents everything wrong with how government entities approach taxpayers. Instead of demonstrating fiscal responsibility, cutting waste, or finding efficiencies, Central Tech is taking the easy route: permanently raising taxes on property owners who can’t opt out.
They’re counting on low turnout and minimal awareness to pass this increase. It’s scheduled for the April 7th election when fewer people vote, buried among other local races that get less attention than major statewide or federal elections.
This is government growth by stealth. Max out the taxing authority while taxpayers aren’t paying attention, then claim it’s essential and irreversible once it passes.
Questions Central Tech Should Answer
Before asking taxpayers for a permanent 2-mill increase, Central Tech should answer these questions:
• What specific programs or facilities require this permanent tax increase?
• Why is maxing out their millage the only solution?
• What efficiencies or cost-cutting measures were considered first?
• Why was this placed on a low-turnout April ballot instead of a major election?
• How much will this cost the average homeowner annually?
• What accountability measures ensure this money is spent efficiently?
What Taxpayers Can Do?
First, know this is on your ballot. April 7th elections include this property tax increase for residents of Creek, Payne, Lincoln, Pawnee, and Osage Counties who are in School District 3.
Second, understand what you’re voting for. This isn’t a temporary funding measure. This is a permanent increase that maxes out Central Tech’s taxing authority.
Third, consider the cumulative impact. Your property tax bill is the sum of all these millages from different entities. Every permanent increase becomes part of your annual obligation.
Fourth, demand accountability. If Central Tech wants permanent taxing authority, they should demonstrate why it’s essential and how they’ll use it responsibly.
The Bottom Line
Oklahomans already carry significant tax burdens through income taxes, sales taxes, and existing property taxes. Adding another permanent property tax increase during economically challenging times places additional strain on families, seniors, and small businesses.
Central Tech may provide valuable services, but that doesn’t automatically justify maxing out their property tax authority. Government entities should live within their means and find efficiencies before asking taxpayers for permanent increases.
The April 7th ballot gives voters in five counties a choice: approve a permanent property tax increase that maxes out Central Tech’s millage or require them to operate within existing resources like every family and business must do.
Property taxes are forever. Vote accordingly.
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Election Day: April 7, 2026
Polls Open: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Affected Counties: Creek, Payne, Lincoln, Pawnee, and Osage (School District 3 residents only)
Check your voter registration and polling location at the Oklahoma Voter Portal:
https://oklahoma.gov/elections.html
Wayne Hill
OKGOP Vice Chairman
Original content via OKGrassroots
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