Seth Marsicano

1 month ago | kswo.com | Seth Marsicano

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Lawton City Council held a special meeting to present the next fiscal year’s budget. Led by Deputy Finance Director Kristin Huntley, the Fiscal Year ‘26 budget presentation went over projected revenues, expenditures, additions and cutbacks the City of Lawton made to save money. According to the budget attached to the agenda, the General Fund, which covers day-to-day operations, is estimated to have a starting balance of $3.2 million, ending the fiscal year at $95,000.

1 month ago | kswo.com | Seth Marsicano

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A special meeting is being held for the Lawton City Council as officials present the Fiscal Year ‘26 operating budget after months of pitching cost saving measures. In February, Lawton City Manager John Ratliff informed the council of a projected $40 million upcoming budget deficit. Since that announcement, potential cost-saving budget items have become a regular occurrence in city council meetings.

1 month ago | kswo.com | Seth Marsicano

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The City of Lawton has accepted a settlement with the seven foreclosure lawsuits against the Great Plains Improvement Foundation (GPIF). Settled for $174,401.98, this decision subsequently released the foundation from current and any future claims related to the homes previously mortgaged by the City of Lawton. The GPIF was acting as a Community Housing Development Organization over the properties.

1 month ago | kswo.com | Seth Marsicano

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The State of Oklahoma recently approved the purchase of the Lawton Correctional Facility which will rid the state of privately operated prisons. With the purchase of the facility, lawmakers said this would not only benefit the staff and inmates inside but also the everyday taxpayer. “I think it’s a net positive for the state to not have to pay $47 million a year to a private entity to do that,” said Appropriations and Budget Chair and House Representative Trey Caldwell.

1 month ago | kswo.com | Seth Marsicano

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - One of the first actions taken in the Lawton City Council meeting included a proclamation to declare a civil emergency due to the severe weather, which caused flooding waters through Southwest Oklahoma. This proclamation will allow the city to look at federal and state relief dollars. Moving on, councilmembers passed the consent agenda with the exceptions of pulling items 29 and 31 for discussion.