Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the CAPS proposal?
CAPS (County Area Projects) is a plan to repurpose a portion of the existing county sales tax to fund economic development and community projects. It is modeled after the successful OKC MAPS initiative and gives citizens a direct voice through a Citizens Advisory Committee.
2. Is this a new tax or a tax increase?
No. This is not a new tax and not a tax increase. It simply repurposes part of the sales tax already in place. Voters first approved this tax in 2013, and it was extended in 2023.
3. When would the repurpose take effect?
If approved by voters, the repurpose would begin on October 1, 2026 and run for 15 years.
4. How will this improve quality of life?
CAPS is about more than just infrastructure — it’s about people. Too often, our young people graduate high school and move away in search of better opportunities and more things to do. CAPS aims to change that by creating spaces and programs that make Woodward County a more attractive place to live, work, and raise a family. By repurposing existing sales tax dollars, CAPS can help retain our youth, attract new families, and bring in businesses that strengthen the local economy.
5. Who decides what projects get funded?
A Citizens Advisory Committee will be formed if the proposition passes. This committee, made up of local residents, will review qualified projects and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.
6. How will the committee be formed?
The Citizens Advisory Committee will include seven members appointed by the Commissioners’ Chair and approved by the full Board of County Commissioners. Members must be county residents, and their terms will be staggered to ensure continuity.
7. How is this different from the existing tax?
The current one-half (½) percent sales tax includes both permanent and temporary portions. CAPS would repurpose one-tenth (1/10) of the existing sales tax for ongoing jail operations and maintenance, courthouse operation, and public safety while repurposing the remaining three-tenths (3/10) for 15 years to fund new economic development and community projects.
8. Why is one-tenth (1/10) repurposed permanently?
One of the most important lessons from county operations across Oklahoma is that essential services require stable, ongoing funding to remain effective. That’s why one-tenth of the existing sales tax is being made permanent to support core county operations, including jail operations and maintenance, courthouse operations, public safety, and other lawful functions for the benefit of the County. This provides long-term stability for critical services that residents rely on every day and helps ensure they can be maintained responsibly for years to come.
9. Has the county worked with experts on this proposal?
Yes. Woodward County is working with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to conduct market research and data analysis so that decisions are informed by solid information and focused on projects with the greatest impact.
10. Does CAPS affect property taxes?
No. CAPS has nothing to do with property taxes. This proposal only deals with county sales tax. Woodward County’s current sales tax rate is 9/10 of one cent. If CAPS is approved, the rate will remain at 9/10 of one cent — No Increase.
11. When is the election?
The special election will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at regular precinct locations. Early in-person voting will be available on Thursday, February 5, and Friday, February 6, at the Woodward County Courthouse from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
12. Was there an election on November 18, 2025?
Yes. A special election was held on November 18, 2025 and the proposition received nearly 60% approval from voters and passed. However, that election could not be legally certified due to a newspaper publication error. The required statutory notice was not published in the newspaper for the full length of time mandated by state law, and our bond attorney accepted responsibility for that error. Because the legal publication requirements were not met, certification was not permitted under Oklahoma law, even though the votes were cast and counted.
To correct that issue and honor the will of the voters in a legally compliant way, the Board of County Commissioners formally voted to call a new special election, which will be held on February 10, 2026. For this election, the proposition will be published six times in both the Woodward News and the Mooreland Leader to ensure full compliance.
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