(Cushing, Okla.) Cushing Chamber of Commerce members and friends heard from city and county leaders on the state of the city, schools and county at a luncheon held at the Fechner Event Center in Cushing. The luncheon was sponsored by Enbridge and hosted by Cushing Chamber of Commerce.
City Update
A slideshow presented by Don Amon, Chairman of the Cushing Board of Commissioners and City Manager Steve Spears outlined recent progress being made in Cushing. Those items include:
Hiring of Economic Developer David Hinkle
New park equipment in several Cushing parks
New ambulance
Power plant contract to add feeder circuit
Sewer system improvements
New runway lighting at airport
Court billing and tracking and online bill pay
Expanded fiber optic system – weather tower, youth center and Little Street substation
Increased use of social media and website
Installation of flashing school pedestrian light at crosswalks near high school
Also included, a video made by Cushing Youth Center staff promoting Cushing Pride. Click here to see video: Cushing Pride Video
“The Cushing Pride program is continuing to grow,” Amon said. Although the City schedules clean-up events quarterly, the goal is to also have civic organizations, neighborhoods, churches or individuals plan their own clean-up events. Supplies such as trash bags and gloves and Cushing Pride t-shirts for first time volunteers are provided. The next scheduled clean-up is April 22, 2017. Those wishing to volunteer are urged to sign up via the City of Cushing website: Cushing Pride
Recently a special meeting was held regarding vision planning for the City of Cushing. Four different areas have been identified to focus on: Infrastructure, Economic Development, Recreational Amenities and Downtown Re-development/Renovation.
“Planning is fluid,” Amon said. “I feel Cushing is possibly on the verge something big – a huge wave. We need to be prepared for opportunities. Everyone needs to be involved.”
Those interested in being a part of the vision planning may contact Don Amon at 918-225-0814 or [email protected], Steve Spears at 918-225-2394 or [email protected], Cushing Chamber Director Tracy Caulfield at 918-225-2400, as well as any other commissioner. Click here for commissioners info: Cushing Board of Commissioners
Spears gave an overview of how the City is doing financially – which was a combination of “good news/bad news.”
The good news – all the above mentioned items. Bad news – tax revenue is down. The decline in sales tax and hotel/motel tax are linked to the decline in the oil and gas industry. Utility collections are also down from last year due to mild temperatures and the shutdown of wells in the area. In light of this, Spears has asked staff to come up with innovative ways to reduce operational costs; possible reduction or elimination of services; and the evaluation of capital projects – what are mandatory or needed vs desired.
Spears concluded it’s not all bad news when it comes to the budget. Sales tax this year is up slightly from what was projected and new state legislation regarding the collection of a use tax on internet sales could give a boost.
School Update
Superintendent Koln Knight spoke of the bond issue on the ballot Tuesday, March 7th. If approved by voters, it would be used to purchase new student transportation, including eight new buses to replace the 17-year-old flat-nosed buses. He said some of the old buses, however, would be kept as spares. The biggest concern is continued safety of students and should the bond not pass, Knight said they would have to figure out some way to replace the worn out buses since new ones are “definitely needed.”
He said it is also important to note, passing the bond would not increase taxes.
Overall, Knight said the Cushing school district is in much better shape than many other districts. He added that one of the unique things about Cushing is the fact “the majority of the money comes from out-of-state and out of the country.”
Contact Superintendent Knight at 918-225-3425 or [email protected]
County Update
Payne County Commissioner Zach Cavett said Payne County is “blessed” because “I haven’t had to do any lay-offs.”
Payne County Commissioner Zach Cavett spoke briefly about how things are going in Payne County and thanked voters for extending the 3/8 of a cent sales tax. He said, “We’re blessed in Payne County. I haven’t had to do any lay-offs.” Looking forward, Cavett said legislators are looking at a bill that would allow county funding dollars go straight to the counties instead of through ODOT – a positive in his view. Also, Cavett said he would support an increase in the fuel tax, “The last increase was in the ’90s.”
Cavett concluded by saying he views his job like running a non-profit business. “I want to serve my customers.”
You can contact Commissioner Cavett at [email protected] or by calling 918-225-1330.
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