Proposed One-Cent Sales Tax Could 'Dramatically Improve' Coweta’s Aging Fire Station

The city of Coweta said a proposed one-cent sales tax increase could dramatically improve the lives of first responders working in an aging, cramped building.

The city said its public safety building needs to be replaced if firefighters and police want to keep up with a growing number of calls.

The 'One for Coweta' tax change could create funds to fix that and a lot more.

Coweta's firefighters have had to live with mold, rust, and ruined flooring, chalked up to leaks from the roof, windows, and walls. Fire Chief Jerry Burtner said his crews also deal with a sewer system that backs up and insufficient equipment.

“People won’t live that way in their own homes. And these guys live here for 24 hours a day," Burtner said.

Besides the poor conditions, the police and fire departments need to grow along with the city.

However, the decades-old public safety building can't support any new hires needed to meet call demand.

City Manager Roger Kolman said there is a solution.

“Local sales tax. Currently we collect three percent," Kolman said. "This would move us to a four-percent tax. For the average shopper what that means is they will spend a dollar more every time they spend $100 locally.”

Kolman said the proposed one-cent sales tax could provide around $1.3 million per year for projects like a new public safety building, but the money stretches much further.

“One for Coweta is not just for roadways, it’s not just for the public safety facilities, but it’s also for our kids,” Kolman said.

The funding would build parks and fix roads and drainage issues in the city.

“If we want to be competitive in the market, we need to provide those amenities, make those upgrades, to draw people to Coweta,” Kolman said.

The sales tax proposal will be on the September 14th ballot.