Measure heading to August ballot could cost counties, Oklahoma schools millions

OKLAHOMA CITY – Counties and schools could lose millions under a constitutional amendment lawmakers put on the Aug. 25 ballot.

Currently, the state is required to reimburse counties and schools for the five-year ad valorem property tax exemption that qualified manufacturers receive for moving or expanding into counties. 

The Senate on Thursday passed House Joint Resolution 1087 by a vote of 38-7 that would let voters decide how much if any is reimbursed by the state. The measure passed the House in March.  

It would ask voters to approve an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution, which contains the five-year manufacturing exemption. It was approved by voters in 1985.

The exemption has become “very, very expensive” for lawmakers, said Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle.

Paxton and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, are the authors.

In tax year 2024, the state paid $93 million in reimbursements. The reimbursement was its highest in tax year 2019 when it hit $161 million, according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Mayes, Tulsa and Oklahoma counties are the top three counties receiving reimbursement, according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

“Right now, there could be a manufacturing company  … about to move into Oklahoma and we know nothing about it,” Paxton said. “Then all of a sudden, we get hit with a very large property tax reimbursement that we have to absorb that takes away from other things.”

The measure would allow the Legislature to work with counties to determine the reimbursement amount, Paxton said.

He said the change would give the Legislature more control.

Dewey County Assessor Jennifer McCormick, who serves as an officer with the County Assessor Association of Oklahoma, said she’s not opposed to the idea.

“I have some concerns regarding it,” she said.

McCormick said one of those concerns is that the state uses a portion of the state income tax to make the reimbursements. But the state is on a path to eliminating that tax, she said.

Tulsa County Assessor John Wright, a former member of the Oklahoma House, said he defers to the Legislature to set policy.

“It is an economic development tool used to keep counties whole,” Wright said, adding that he understands the constraint on the state budget.

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, voted against the measure saying she “couldn’t make the math work.”