Taron Epps
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 2
- Total speaking time
- 4:20
- Avg per meeting
- 2:10
- Segments
- 72
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Top issues during term (20)
Dilapidated structure enforcement
Demolition costs get invoiced to property owners, and unchecked derelict houses drag down neighborhood safety and values.
FISTA Central Plaza lease changes
Not quantified on the agenda.
Homeless Action Plan community forum
No direct cost approved tonight, but the dashboard and coordinator role will require city resources.
Police union contract negotiations for FYE 2027
Police salaries and benefits under the new contract will be part of the FYE 2027 city budget, though no dollar figures are public.
Demolition stay for 2211 NW Baltimore Avenue
The city has abated the property multiple times at public expense, and demolition will cost taxpayer dollars if it proceeds.
Ward fund rules for landfill gate fee revenue
Ward funds come from landfill gate fee revenue allocated to the eight wards; the failed ordinance would not have changed the amount, only the allowable uses.
Gore Boulevard Traffic Signal Improvements
Full activation costs roughly $34,000-$35,000 per signal, covered by the $494,000 LMPO grant rather than city funds.
Shelter and Transitional Housing Zoning Overhaul
United Way funds the winter warming shelter; day center operates on donations and grants.
Neighborhood Traffic Control Measures
Modest sign and installation costs not itemized in the agenda.
$3.6 Million General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026
No tax increase — the bond maintains the existing ~11-mill property tax rate.
Lawton RISE Project Plan conformance
Uses increment financing; no dollar amount or district boundaries have been set yet.
Donley sewer backup claim denial
$98,598.89 claim denied; no city payout.
Traffic calming on NW Oak and NW 35th
Standard traffic-calming installation cost, already vetted by the Streets & Development Committee.
Lawton PLEX Sports Complex furnishings
$33,463,354 in LIDA S2026A loan proceeds committed to the project.
FISTA transparency and public records concerns
Millions in taxpayer dollars, including hotel-motel taxes and GO bonds, flow to these entities.
Rogers Lane lighting improvements
$1,487,501.50 from capital project funds.
Industrial land purchase to lure Fortune 200 employer (Project Firework)
$2.2 million of city and LEDA money would be spent up front, with about $1.18 million expected back after the FISTA repays LEDA within five years.
Downtown blight study and urban renewal plan updates
She asked the city to fund repair grants instead of fines for fixed-income seniors.
First Responder Buffer Zone Ordinance
Enforcement costs not specified.
FYE27 budget amendment for judgment debt payments
Puts $1.75 million toward judgment debt the city already owes.
Decisions during term (585)
Recorded while Epps was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent agenda (Items 9-11, 13-16)
Interior Environments agreement for Lawton PLEX furniture (Item 12)
Denial of permit extension — 2211 NW Baltimore Avenue dilapidated structure
Contingent upon approval of the event permit application and public facility rental application, consider waiving the $86.25 event permit fee and the $100.00 park pavilion rental fee for the Oklahoma State Department of Health's World…
Accept $5,000 Spirit of Survival donation
Consent agenda (items 5-18, 20-31)
Amendment to Economic Development Assistance Policy (Retail) — Council Policy 1-10
Award $3.6M General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026, to Robert W. Baird
Ordinance for $3.6M GO Bonds issuance with emergency clause
Airport Authority revenue note extension (Arvest Bank, $3,279,269)
Zoning ordinance: shelters, transitional housing, boardinghouses
Declare 501 SW 4th Street (Lawtonian tower) dilapidated
Declare 507 SW 4th Street dilapidated
Deny remodel extension for 1603 SW Georgia Avenue
First responder 25-foot buffer ordinance
Hands-free driving ordinance (school and work zones)
Felony to flee a peace officer's lights
Consider the following tort claim recommended for approval: Latrelle Lee in the amount of $399.99.
Consider approving the settlement of a damage claim against Progressive Insurance for damages to a traffic signal and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the release.
Consider approving a resolution amending Appendix A- Schedule of Fees and Charges, Article A-5-1, Chapter A-5, Lawton City Code, 2025, to establish the following fees for applicable animals claimed from the Lawton Animal Shelter: Rabies…
Voting record (117)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Consent Agenda (Items 5, 7-32)
Denial of Beverly Edwards Damage Claim ($10,848.68)
GO Bonds, Series 2026 — Resolution 26-190
Ward Fund Ordinance (Landfill Gate Fee Revenue) — Failed
Preferred broad categories over an exclusive list that would require repeated ordinance amendments.
RISE Project Plan Intent — Resolution 26-191
Makerspace Camp Support Agreement ($75,000, FYE2027)
approve the Agreement for Funding and Limited Support between the Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) Development Trust Authority and the City of Lawton, contingent upon FISTA
return to open session
table to the next meeting
adjourn into executive session
approve the consent agenda as presented with the exception of pulling Item 6 and Item 26
adjourn
approve a Support Agreement in the amount of $75,000 between the City of Lawton and Lawton Public Schools for Fiscal Year 2027
accept a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant in the amount of $400,000 and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract documents once received
approve Resolution 26-186 declaring the structures on the property to be a dilapidated public nuisance and authorize the abatement thereof as set forth in the resolution
table to September 8, 2026
set a target prairie dog population somewhere in the 100 or 150 range, get a report in November further giving us a plan that eliminated prairie dogs by relocation from any buildings or structure area
Consent agenda (Items 4-5, 7-25, 27-30)
FISTA Agreement for Funding and Limited Support (Item 6, pulled from consent)
Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant acceptance, $400,000 (Item 26, pulled from consent)
Resolution 26-186 — Dilapidated structures at 5333 NW Elm Avenue
2410 SW G Avenue — additional remodeling time
Landfill Gate Fee ward-fund ordinance (Item 33)
Epps stated he needed to understand how the ordinance would limit ward fund expenditures before voting.
Prairie dog population target at Elmer Thomas Park (Item 34)
Marie Detty Youth and Family Services Support Agreement
Consent Agenda (Items 4-26)
Denial of James Lutz damage claim
Sought to understand the facts and legal limits before acting; acknowledged the Council's options were limited
Denial of Terri Alexander damage claim
The City cannot serve as an insurer for flood damage when it is not legally responsible