Well drilling, sales tax proposal and interim city manager to be discussed

The 63rd Guthrie City Council will hold their second meeting as a group and will consider several key items, including possibly sending a half-cent sales tax increase to voters.

The Tuesday meeting will begin with a tour of the city owned facilities for the new council members, who took their seats on May 5. The Special City Council meeting begins at 4:30.

At 7 p.m., the council will discuss and possibly take action on issuing a permit for a proposed oil and gas well near Mineral Wells Park. The action item was tabled by Councilman Ed Wood, on May 5, so the new members could have time to explore the process. Updated story: Council approves oil and gas well

In the council packet, the item says, “it is important to note that this is not a fracking operation; no saltwater will be injected and the company is drilling for oil specifically.”

There are currently 16 active wells inside the Guthrie city limits.

Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law House Bill 809 that states municipalities will not have the authority to ban drilling within city limits. The law goes into effect on Nov. 1.

For the first time, the council will discuss and consider the Guthrie Area Project sales tax proposal of a half-cent sales tax increase over five years.

The item was tabled on May 19 for the 63rd council to consider. Related story: City seeking sales tax election; increase to benefit capital projects

The council is expected appoint members to the Citizens Rate and Fee committee, Guthrie Transportation Authority, Guthrie Historic Preservation Commission and to the Forestry and Park boards.

In executive session, council will discuss pending investigations Logan County Rural Water, Shandorff and Hazlewood, Leon Spitz and Larry Ladd. In addition, they will discuss the purpose of hiring an interim city manager. Sereniah Breland announced she has accepted a similar position in Alvin, Texas. Related story: Guthrie city manager accepts job in Texas