Midwest City Voters Approve Hotel/Motel Tax Increase

On November 18, Midwest City voters approved an increase to the tax rate charged for stays in hotels, motels, and home-sharing properties within city limits. The approved hotel/motel tax rate increase brings Midwest City’s rate up from 5% to 9.25%. Unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board show that 72.22% of 1,015 voters approved of the measure.

“Once again, we’ve asked our residents to support a change that will yield dividends for their community, and they showed up for us,” City Manager Tim Lyon stated once unofficial numbers were announced. “Now it’s time for us as a City to reward their trust, by staying dedicated to attracting development, making improvements and renewing this community.”

The previous 5% hotel/motel tax rate brought in approximately $680,000 per year, based on recent collections. Increasing the tax rate to 9.25% is expected to bring in an estimated $1.3 million per year. The voter approved measure also included a change to how hotel/motel tax collections will be allocated. Funds collected will now be divided between economic development efforts (45%), and parks facility and operations improvements (55%). This change creates a more direct path for the funds to help promote growth and reinvestment in the community.

Visitors to Midwest City will start to see the hotel/motel tax rate increase on stays booked, and paid for, after December 20, 2025. By ordinance, Midwest City residents are exempt from paying hotel/motel taxes within city limits, whether they are staying in a hotel, motel, or home-sharing property.

The funds will be allocated to the Economic Development and Parks & Recreation Departments during Midwest City’s annual budgeting process. The Midwest City Budget, which is presented each year in May and June, must be approved and adopted by the City Council of Midwest City. The draft budget is posted to midwestcityok.org during the public hearing process. The final budget is posted after council adoption.

Council meetings are open to the public and are held at 100 N. Midwest Blvd. in Midwest City. Short-form agendas and full agenda packets are posted at midwestcityok.org prior to each meeting. The meetings are streamed live and available on-demand on the @cityofmidwestcityoklahoma YouTube Channel.