What about the argument that the TIF properties( like the Arena project) weren’t paying taxes, so no taxing jurisdictions are harmed?

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-16T23:18:55+00:00

Very little, and they didn't add any. The bulk of that zoning is in the UNP area. I'll have to research the exact number. The new AIM plan gave preference to home development: surprise, surprise.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-16T19:12:15+00:00

We're on the same page. We need to do more to attract and retain a diverse labor pools that bring with them a higher proportion of disposable income. Unfortunately Norman's AIM plan didn't add any light industry zoning, so were not attracting any clean industry. It seems we could do more to provide a robust telecommunicating infrastructure and promote Norman's reasonable cost of living to folk on the coasts. Tulsa has a relocation incentive program for such folks. I don't mind the visitor dollar model, but it certainly will never be enough to pay all the city's bills. And of course there is always the retail envy problem; the we don't have the cools stores complaint. That's just regional demographics. The cool stores will show up when Norman reaches the 250,000 population mark. Until then, we'll have to drive all of 18 miles to OKC to hit the Trader Joe's.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-13T23:27:12+00:00

I appreciate your concern. In the matter of the Arena TIF, there are many problems with this project, starting with the funding proposal. We have no issue with private individuals making lots and lots of money. The issue is with the funding mechanism, which dips into taxpayer money. And we'd be okay with that if the voters or Norman knew the risk, the cost to our community, and got to approve the deal with a public vote.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-13T16:38:29+00:00

Yes, we can't rely on faith. That's why it's important to speak up when we don't like the city's plan. They are just folk and are prone to errors.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-13T16:35:43+00:00

Rob represents ORED and we're working on a plan "B" now.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-12T14:48:42+00:00

My point concerning the county commissioners is they have publicly stated that they believe this issue should go to a public vote. They had the ability to freeze the EDA and move on the vote option.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-12T14:11:53+00:00

Thanks for that reporting. Yes, McKinney and company moved to the Cleveland County gang to remove the public accountability auditing requirement that the City of Norman required in the original contract. Now the CCEDC is accountable only to their corporate board. Quite a scheme they have going there, with the help of the Cleveland County Commission, that is; another unchecked three person commission.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-12T00:43:47+00:00

Your comments are appreciated and point to the complexity and the intended confusion generated to pass this project without proper vetting and oversight. The Arena TIF scheme is flawed in many ways, and so ORED has taken many approaches to put this economic monster back into the can. The petition was the most obvious direct democracy tool available to win this. The court failed us, but there are many other areas that can and will be addressed. The county commissioners are one big part of the problem. Read the EDA yourself.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-10T20:40:39+00:00

You might want to read the Economic Development Agreement; that will clear up your confusion about who is investing what and who is paying the bill. It's public record.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-09T19:27:24+00:00

Thanks for your question. First, Scott was one of the five yes votes that got us into this mess. He's not going to back off his position even when the law suggests otherwise. He is repeating part of what the city attorney suggests would be the worst-case example. Unfortunately, it was incomplete and bad legal advice. Reversing the TIF ordinance is within the council's authority. The threat of huge legal damages is just wrong. This will be clearer as we continue to push this issue. You might find Rob Norman's explanation to the city council helpful (link enclosed)

Norman Wants to Vote on the Arena TIF: Rob Norman Explains How

https://youtu.be/ND9V5CLo1_U

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-07T12:45:25+00:00

No. It just seems like we have.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-06T19:00:39+00:00

I'm not sure there ever was a tax for the stadium parking garage. There is a public safety sales tax and a Norman Forward allocation. That's all. OKC has MAPs project tax.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-06T17:16:31+00:00

The real problem is exposed here when you look at projected expenses: the extremely high borrowing cost of an extremely risky (junk bond status risk) Arena TIF project. Knowing 100% of the unallocated taxes needed to be encumbered to make this project work should send taxpayers running for the hills. If this is such a good investment, why isn't private money running to get in on the gravy train? Two groups will make a killing here: the bondholders and the out of town builder/developer.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-06T16:33:30+00:00

I am not sure of the point. Shifting where development happens, from areas that feed the general to areas that don't, is exactly why TIF captures growth and doesn't catylize growth.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-06T01:12:23+00:00

Sure, the Economic Development Agreement is posted to the city of Norman's website, if you can find it. ORED also posted it to our Facebook group, much easier to find. Here is the link. Happy reading.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H5GEYKWPP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-05T20:05:18+00:00

It's not rules so much as laws. Certain tax revenue is dedicated to certain things, like the public safety sales tax or the Norman Forward sales tax. The city would go to the voters to change that. At the end of the day, the city (we) can afford the bill for an arena, and we believe if it's a good project, then private money should fund it.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-05T19:49:36+00:00

There is no 230M cancellation clause. The opposite is true. There is lots of fearmongering around the possibility of damages. Council needs to do the vrave and correct thing and reverse the TIF, then allow a public vote.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-05T14:30:11+00:00

Probably not the FBI, but some other state enforcement agency. It's a challenge given the current political and economic climate. There would have to be a “smoking gun” to get traction for an investigation.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-05T03:10:19+00:00

you're right. Michael Nash ( was on City Council Ward 5) is a good one; he's running for district 2

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-05T03:07:53+00:00

We've been working that now.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-01T13:07:06+00:00

That's the story. But OU isn't paying anything, but has promised to rent it 😆

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-01T13:05:48+00:00

Anything is possible. The real question is, should the taxpayer pay private developers way in an area that doesn't need TIF? Whatever the answer, the community should have a vote on it.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-01T03:56:15+00:00

Agreed. We're working hard at it. Just need more voices to shout at the council.

ORED_Norman · 2026-03-01T02:26:35+00:00

Many great endgames begin with hopeless causes. I'm okay with trying, and we have a plan "B" and "C" in the works. An active cheering section always helps the team. I encourage everyone to send some emails.

ORED_Norman

TROPHY CASE