Norman voters approved a proposition that will fund a permanent homeless shelter and approved a guest tax increase in Tuesday’s ballot election.
Permanent homeless shelter
As of 8:50 p.m., with 17,427 votes cast, Proposition 5 passed with 54.50%, or 9,266 votes, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website.
Proposition 5 will create a general obligation bond to fund a permanent homeless shelter through property tax revenue.
The shelter will be constructed on Reed Avenue in East Norman, near other resources like Food and Shelter and the Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center. City Care, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit currently operating Norman’s emergency shelter, is expected to operate the permanent shelter, according to the city’s website.
City Care facility renderings
City Care homeless facility rendering from Jan. 6, 2026.
The facility will reportedly house up to 120 people a night through a low-barrier system, meaning entry requirements like sobriety, identification and curfews are diminished to allow quicker access to services.
Residents will pay taxes depending on their home value over the course of 20 years, with the funds paying for construction costs. Residents will see an estimated annual increase of:
• $3.26 for homes valued at $100,000.
• $6.81 for homes valued at $200,000.
• $10.36 for homes valued at $300,000.
• $13.91 for homes valued at $400,000.
• $17.46 for homes valued at $500,000.
Operational expenses are expected to be covered through the city’s general fund and fundraising and grant efforts by City Care. According to the proposition webpage, operational expenses are estimated to be around $930,000.
Guest tax increase
As of 8:27 p.m., with 16,941 votes cast, Proposition 2 passed with 70.13%, or 11,881 votes, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website.
Proposition 2 will increase the city’s guest tax from 8% to 10% and expand it to include overnight stays in recreational vehicle rental spaces starting July 1, ahead of the next OU football season.
Since OU’s move to the Southeastern Conference in July 2024, Norman has seen an increase in overnight guest stays. With the passage of this proposition, the city predicts guest tax revenue will double in the next decade, increasing from $23 million in the past 10 years to an estimated $50 million over the next 10 years.
Street maintenance bond renewal
As of 8:27 p.m., with 16,972 votes cast, Proposition 1 passed with 72.04%, or 12,226 votes, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website.
Proposition 1 will issue a $35 million bond to maintain streets across the city for the next five years.
Residents approved the first five-year street maintenance bond in 2005 and have subsequently approved a street maintenance bond every five years since.
The city maintains approximately 800 miles of streets, according to the city website. The maintenance program seeks to rehabilitate streets that are still in fair condition.
The bond will result in no new tax, the website states.
Council member term start dates
As of 8:27 p.m., with 16,741 votes cast, Proposition 3 passed with 73.30%, or 12,271 votes, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website.
Proposition 3 would change the date the mayor and newly elected council members will begin their terms following an election. The change would push the date to the first Tuesday following any scheduled runoff election. The change would go into effect starting with even-numbered wards in 2028.
Odd-numbered wards would be affected beginning in 2029.
Mayoral terms would be affected beginning in 2031.
Currently, terms begin on the first Tuesday in July.
Mayors serve for three years at a time, while council members serve for two years. Elections are held every February, with runoffs typically held in April.
Due to the proposition impacting the city charter, the Oklahoma governor must sign off on it before it goes into effect.
City auditor qualification change
As of 8:27 p.m., with 16,735 votes cast, Proposition 4 passed with 55.12%, or 9,225 votes, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website.
Proposition 4 would allow candidates for the city auditor position to use other professional certifications as credentials for the role aside from being a certified public accountant.
The city charter currently requires the city auditor to be CPA-certified, but the proposition would allow applicants to hold certified internal auditor, certified fraud examiner or other equivalent certifications, according to the city.
The change comes after former City Auditor Shaakira Calnick resigned in October due to municipal code requiring the city auditor to be a certified public accountant. Calnick worked for the city for almost two years, despite not being a certified public accountant, due to an incorrect job listing.
Proposition 4 will also be sent to the governor.
This story was edited by Audrey McClour and Macey Thaxton. Mary Ann Livingood and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
