Newcastle Residents Feel Shorted By County Sales Tax

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- McClain County has had a half-cent county sales tax for five years. Some of the revenue generated by the tax goes to support local fire departments-- particularly volunteer fire departments, but some people in Newcastle said the city is not getting its fair share of the revenue.

"Newcastle contributes over forty percent of the income generated by the county sales tax," said Kim Brown of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce. "However, we receive back due to the allocations that are set less than four percent."

Monday night the Newcastle City Council will consider a resolution urging that the sales tax not be extended for another five years when it comes to a county-wide vote on April fifth.

Justin Taylor, a volunteer with the Washington Fire Department, said the tax has been a big help.

"We're able to expand on our building," Taylor said. "We've added trucks to our fleet."