Bristow To Vote On Reallocation Of Half Penny Sales Tax For Hospital

When folks shop in Bristow, they pay a half penny sales tax for parks and recreation and another for the hospital for improvements to the building.

"Every outlet, every sink, every light fixture, the HVAC, the floor, the walls. The only original part of that hospital are the bricks, and they’ve been repainted," said Bristow City Mayor Kris Wyatt. 

Those improvements were made, but the owners of the hospital, Carrus Lakeside, asked for more money to help run the hospital. The mayor called it a temporary allowance.

"So, will this be utility bills? Will there be other operations for paying staff?" Mayor Wyatt said. 

While some folks around town thought the new tax allocation was a good thing, others didn't quite agree.

“Anything that improves the town and helps the people out and makes it a more attractive place to live, that’s what we want," said Bristow resident Phillip Hopkins.

"Nobody’s talking about it, but they’re not liking it, I have a feeling," said another resident. 

Mayor Kris Wyatt wanted to make sure voters fully understood this wouldn't add a new tax or increase any existing taxes. It would just redirect how the current tax money would be spent.

"Right now, we’re trying to develop this into a place where it is fully functioning on their own," Mayor Wyatt said. "We just have to make that transition."

People would still stop paying the tax as planned in 2030. 

The mayor said there would be a special meeting on the Monday before the election to explain more about the tax and answer people's questions before voting.