Commission’s special work session to address Kaw Lake rights

City Manager Craig Stephenson has announced a special work session of the Ponca City Board of Commissioners at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 31.

The normal work session would be scheduled on Monday; however, that falls on Memorial Day so the meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday.

He said the agenda will include a discussion of the Kaw Lake water supply for the City of Ponca City.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend to see a presentation on the water supply issue.

Stephenson also reminded citizens that the state Legislature remains in session until 5 p.m. Friday. One point of concern is the possibility that legislators may require Ponca City’s wholesale power supplier, the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, to contribute a portion of its revenue to the state’s general fund as a means of dealing with the $1.3 billion revenue shortfall the state faces.

Stephenson said this would be a direct cost to Ponca City Energy and its customers, and is a cost that non-municipal-electric-served cities and their customers would not have to pay.

Stephenson urged residents to contact their state Representative and Senator immediately to oppose this tax on Ponca City Energy customers.