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There's a commonly-held belief that senior citizens are the only men that have to worry about low testosterone. After all, a man in his 40s or 50s is still supposed to be strong, confident, and virile, right? Research from the Cleveland Clinic shows that, globally, nearly 8% of all men suffer from low levels of testosterone. That's a huge number - and many of those men haven't seen the "wrong side" of 50 yet.
The truth is, you don't have to be a brittle old man a decade into retirement to experience low testosterone. Because, in reality, male testosterone levels can begin to fall in your 30s. And when that happens, a man's life can change drastically. Finding the motivation to attack the day, work hard, and come home happy is more difficult. Going to the gym to get a full session of cardio in? Not with the kink in your neck that's been bothering you for days.
For some men with low testosterone, the ultimate embarrassment happens - they can't light that spark and perform in the bedroom like they used to. If you're one of the millions of men slogging through life and the symptoms of low T, you may think there's no going back to the old you. But nothing could be further from the truth. Male health centers like Rank One Medical are ready to treat you with an FDA-approved procedure that rebalances your hormones and helps re-capture your youth.
It's called testosterone replacement therapy, and it's giving men around the U.S. renewed hope and a new lease on life. Unlike other male hormone clinics, however, Rank One Medical provides patients with an all-inclusive approach to TRT in Oklahoma City, OK, so you can get relief ASAP.
Our Men's Testosterone Replacement Therapy is an all-inclusive monthly fee for treatment. Unlike most male health clinics, we do not charge "start-up fees," "consult fees," or "lab fees." When we say our monthly fee is "all-inclusive," we mean it! We're talking Testosterone cypionate, initial and follow-up labs, and all consultations with our licensed physician are included in our TRT services.
When you choose Rank One Medical, you don't have to carve time out of your day to travel to our location. That's because we specialize in concierge TRT, so you can get relief from low testosterone from the comfort of your home. Plus, injection supplies and doorstep shipping are also included.
As an evidence-based practice with customized protocols and personalized TRT in Oklahoma City, OK, we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations with real results. When you trust Rank One Medical, you can rest easy knowing you'll never get a one-size-fits-all treatment plan.
Our patients trust us with their TRT journey because we prioritize convenience and confidence while providing:
To understand the amazing benefits of taking TRT, it's important to grasp what testosterone is and its role in your body.
When you hear the word testosterone, what comes to mind? Many folks think of a large, muscle-bound man who is too aggressive and macho. Of course, that stereotype is untrue. Testosterone plays a role in a man's motivation and vigor, but it does much more than that. The truth is that testosterone is crucial for the male body because it affects development from puberty through old age.
As your primary androgen, testosterone helps develop the characteristics that make you the man you are. Controlled by your pituitary gland and your hypothalamus, testosterone helps maintain and develop:
Unfortunately, when your body suffers from low testosterone (also called hypogonadism), you'll start to notice concerning symptoms that affect every aspect of your life.
This is a question we get all the time at Rank One Medical. Though the true answer is nuanced, the bottom line is that aging is most often the reason for low T. Every man who ages will most likely have lower testosterone than younger men. Other causes of low testosterone include prescribed medications, drug abuse, injuries, and obesity.
When you lose large amounts of testosterone, it alters your testosterone and estrogen. Low T levels usually result in more abdominal fat, which in turn causes estrogen synthetase levels to jump. This creates even higher levels of estrogen in your body. With more estrogen and less testosterone, several concerning issues manifest.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with low testosterone include:
If you're a man struggling with just one of the symptoms above, it could be because you have low testosterone. However, the only way to be certain is to have your testosterone levels tested. If your testosterone levels are low for a man of your age, TRT in Oklahoma City, OK, may be the next logical step.
Have you noticed that you don't feel like "you" when you're working or relaxing at home? Do you always feel lethargic or unmotivated, even on your days off? Do you find it challenging to maintain an erection? Many men mistake these symptoms for being overworked or over-busy. Truthfully, though, there's a good chance these are symptoms of low testosterone. Since no two males have the same symptoms of low testosterone, it's prudent to understand and recognize some of the most common signs.
When you have low T, it's not unusual for sex to be unappealing. Crazy, right? If you're one of the thousands of men in the United States suffering from a low sex drive, it might not be you. It could be low testosterone. Don't settle for a mediocre libido - reclaim your sex life with Rank One Medical.
Also called ED, these are two words that every man hopes to avoid. When you're unable to perform in the bedroom, it's not just embarrassing - it can also affect your long-term relationships and even your mental health. ED is a challenging topic to talk about. But it doesn't have to be. TRT in Oklahoma City, OK can help re-light that special spark you've been missing for so long.
Your brain has many testosterone receptors. However, when you're suffering from low testosterone, it can affect your mood. With time, those feelings can lead to serious psychological issues like depression. However, studies show that TRT can help rebalance your hormones, which can lead to improved mood and a life without depression.
When you work hard all day, most men want to come home, eat some dinner, and try to go to sleep. Unfortunately, men with low testosterone tend to toss and turn, even when they're exhausted. Whether you have undiagnosed insomnia or a different sleep disorder, low T could be the culprit.
When testosterone levels lower as we get older, men have a harder time lifting heavy items. That's true even if you're hitting the gym and lifting weights to maintain your muscles. If you're making a concerted effort to keep your muscle mass and strength but aren't making gains, it could be due to low testosterone.
Do you find it extra challenging to finish normal tasks at work? Do you believe your memory is getting worse? Does your spouse or partner yell about not paying attention to them? Trust us; we've been there. The effects of low testosterone don't just affect your body - they can also affect your mind and memory. When TRT brings your testosterone levels back within normal range, brain fog and other concentration issues will often go away.
At Rank One Medical, we understand what men go through every day when living with low testosterone. They suffer from low libido, lack of motivation, and often feel abnormal and out of place. But as bad as those are, living with low testosterone can have more severe health risks that put your vital organs at risk.
Some of the health risks you should be concerned with include the following:
When you're diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, you may be wondering why. Sometimes, the culprit is having low T. Statistically, men with low testosterone have a higher chance of getting diabetes as they age. In the same vein of thought, men with diabetes are also much more likely to have low T. This fact establishes a relationship between testosterone and diabetes. This relationship is furthered by the fact that men with low testosterone have more challenges resisting insulin. Though TRT in Oklahoma City, OK won't cure your diabetes, research shows that men with healthy testosterone levels also have healthier blood sugar levels and are usually not as obese.
Have you been told by your primary care doctor that you have high blood pressure? Do you have an idea what may be causing your high blood pressure? Is it aging? Is it hereditary? Is it something else?
According to research, men with low testosterone have higher chances of suffering from cardiovascular illnesses. Because, when your testosterone levels are low, red blood cell reproduction slows. That, in turn, causes plaque buildup in your arteries. With time, plaque buildup can cause life-threatening issues like heart attacks or strokes.
If you look in the mirror in the morning and are disgusted with how fat you've gotten, you're not alone. Many aging men have problems with obesity. If you eat well and exercise like you should but still can't shed embarrassing body fat, low T could be the cause.
Research shows a link between obesity and low T, with testosterone playing an essential role in food metabolism. It's also involved with insulin, glucose, and fat regulation. Thankfully, when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, men who use TRT often lose weight and benefit from better blood glucose and low-density cholesterol levels.
When a man has anemia, his body lacks much-needed blood cells, meaning organs have less oxygen to properly function. Normal testosterone levels have been linked to healthy red blood cell counts, so it makes sense that men with low T are at risk of anemia. In fact, a study conducted in 2009 found that aging men with low testosterone were five times more likely to have anemia versus men with healthy testosterone. TRT isn't a cure for anemia, but with healthier levels of testosterone, your body will produce more red blood cells, which can prevent anemia.
Up to this point, we've explained some of the revolutionary benefits of TRT but haven't dug into how it works. TRT does exactly what its name implies: it's a therapy backed by science that replaces low T levels in men.
Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT is a form of hormone replacement therapy for men that helps them deal with and triumph over the debilitating side effects associated with low testosterone. Originally created by scientists in the 1930s, TRT has grown from a little-known treatment to a life-changing solution for millions of men worldwide.
Without boring you with facts and scientific speak, TRT gives your body the testosterone it needs to function properly. Without healthy T levels, your body isn't able to maintain the natural processes it needs for your well-being. As a matter of fact, men with low T are more likely to develop serious health problems like heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Until their testosterone levels are restored, most men suffer from the symptoms of low testosterone without hormone replacement therapy like TRT.
With TRT from Rank One Medical, your hormones are rebalanced so your body can finally begin to heal, relieving and even eliminating many of the most common signs of low testosterone.
Unlike some TRT clinics, Rank One Medical takes a comprehensive, careful approach to testosterone replacement therapy. To ensure our patients get the best results in the most efficient time frames, we have developed a 10-step physician-prescribed plan for TRT in Oklahoma City, OK.
You Complete Our Initial On-Boarding Form
You Complete Paperwork Regarding Your Medical History & Physical
You Receive a Lab Requisite Form to Print
You Find the Nearest Quest Lab Center for Your Initial Lab Work
Quest Lab Sends Rank One Medical Your Lab Results for Review
A Physician from Rank One Medical Will Develop and Prescribe a TRT Regimen Tailored to Your Body
Our Physicians Order TRT from a 501 Compounding Pharmacy
The Pharmacy Preps and Ships Your TRT Order to Your Doorstep Within 10 Business Days
Quest Labs Re-Draws Your Labs After 9 Weeks to Review Your Progress
Quest Labs Re-Draws Your Labs Every 4-6 Months for Ongoing Treatment
In addition to our easy 10-step process for TRT, every Rank One Medical patient benefits from our affordable prices and personalized service. After all, every man has a different body, and as such, will need different TRT. Our valued patients also benefit from the following:
Did you know that 13 million men have low T and that 90% of them go untreated by doctors? Living with the harmful side effects of low testosterone is no way to live. If you believe your testosterone levels are unhealthy, it's time to contact Rank One Medical. Living with low testosterone is definitely risky. But with help from our male HRT clinic, you can reclaim your youth and health with TRT in Oklahoma City, OK.
Unlike other TRT clinics, our highly-trained team uses a functional approach to male health, which lets us solve the causes of your symptom instead of putting a proverbial band-aid on them. Ready to get started? We're ready to help you every step of the way. Contact Rank One Medical and make a difference in your life today.
918-612-7094
Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart Inc., will be locating a multi-purpose distribution center in Oklahoma City. The 300,000-square-foot facility will be located at SW 29th and Council at the OKC Logistics Park and will open in early 2024. The company plans to make a capital investment of approximately $40 million to open the facility.“Since Sam’s Club first opened in Oklahoma in 1983, Sam’s has been an important economic driver for our state,” sai...
Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart Inc., will be locating a multi-purpose distribution center in Oklahoma City. The 300,000-square-foot facility will be located at SW 29th and Council at the OKC Logistics Park and will open in early 2024. The company plans to make a capital investment of approximately $40 million to open the facility.
“Since Sam’s Club first opened in Oklahoma in 1983, Sam’s has been an important economic driver for our state,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “I am thrilled that partnership will continue as the company brings 130 long-term jobs to Oklahoma with this new distribution center.”
“We’re excited to enhance our supply chain capabilities in the State of Oklahoma,” said Joseph Godsey, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Sam’s Club. “We are on a journey to transform the entire Sam’s Club supply chain through strategic expansion and cutting-edge automation. This investment will help us provide a better experience for our members in the speed and availability of our products.”
Local officials applauded the investment. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said the new facility joins a growing distribution corridor in southwest Oklahoma City.
“We are excited to extend our long-term partnership with Walmart and Sam’s Club to include this new distribution center,” Mayor Holt said. “Oklahoma City’s population continues to grow and as both our city and the company expand, we look forward to working together.”
Walmart is the state’s largest employer, with more than 35,000 jobs across Oklahoma.
About Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club®️, a division of Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings and services to millions of members in nearly 600 clubs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Now in its 40th year, Sam’s Club continues to redefine warehouse shopping with its highly curated assortment of high-quality fresh food and Member’s Mark® items, in addition to market leading technologies and services like Scan & Go™️, Curbside Pickup and home delivery service in select markets.
To learn more about Sam's Club, visit the Sam's Club Newsroom, shop at SamsClub.com, and interact with Sam's Club on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Some products in your home (certain paints, stains and varnishes, cleaners, polishes, automotive products, pesticides and herbicides) may contain hazardous components. The used, or leftover contents, of these products are known as "household hazardous waste."If thrown in the trash these items can contaminate our environment. This pollution can affect streams, lakes, wildlife and possibly our drinking water.The facility provides an environmentally safe place for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste and is ...
Some products in your home (certain paints, stains and varnishes, cleaners, polishes, automotive products, pesticides and herbicides) may contain hazardous components. The used, or leftover contents, of these products are known as "household hazardous waste."
If thrown in the trash these items can contaminate our environment. This pollution can affect streams, lakes, wildlife and possibly our drinking water.
The facility provides an environmentally safe place for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste and is free to Oklahoma City residents. Please bring your City water bill as proof of residency.
Watch this short video to see what to expect when you visit.
Mire este breve video para saber qué esperar cuando visite.
Auto Products:
Batteries:
E-cigarettes and Vape Devices:
Lawn and Garden Products:
Household Products:
Paint, Hobby and Pet Products:
Do not pour chemicals into a single container. Leave them in their original packages.
Some household products, although harmless themselves, can be toxic when mixed.
For information about computer recycling visit: Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
For information about Rx Take Back Program visit: Bureau of Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs Control
When purchasing household and lawn chemicals, paint products, or automotive products, keep in mind how you plan to use, store and dispose of each product and its' container.
The division hosts an annual "special collection" for unwanted computers, tires, ammunition, and prescription drugs. Typically, this special collection event is held at the State Fairgrounds.
You can also schedule a "mobile collection" event. A mobile collection event comes to your neighborhood and collects the same household hazardous waste accepted in the facility. The City supplies the personnel, equipment and flyers to advertise. The neighborhood schedules the date, location and passes out flyers to increase attendance. Note - this is not a "special collection" and we won't be able to accept ammunition, tires, computers or medication at mobile events. Home Owner or Neighborhood Associations may contact us at (405) 297-1797 for more details or to schedule an event.
Since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has been one of the most successful franchises in the NBA in terms of consistently winning games. As the team enters its second iteration following a rebuild, a new arena and commitment to OKC is on the horizon.On Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt revealed ...
Since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has been one of the most successful franchises in the NBA in terms of consistently winning games. As the team enters its second iteration following a rebuild, a new arena and commitment to OKC is on the horizon.
On Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt revealed significant news regarding the future of the Thunder. Pending voter approval, a brand new arena will be built in OKC, which would come with a commitment from the franchise to stay in the city until at least 2050.
The current arena — Paycom Center — is the smallest in the NBA by square footage, has the second-smallest capital investment of all NBA arenas and is one of the oldest in the entire NBA at 21 years old. In its current state, it is not capable of securing a long-term lease with an NBA team.
Over the past year or more, public discussion had been ongoing between the city and the team about what the future looks like.
“We will secure the team for such a time that I can tell you today, the superstar who will play for our city and this arena in the next lease term isn’t even born yet,” said Holt back in July during a State of the City press conference.
The primary topic of conversation had always been around the funding of the arena, more specifically on whether or not this would raise tax rates and how much Thunder ownership would pitch in.
These questions were answered on Tuesday, as it was revealed this new arena will cost at minimum $900 million with ownership contributing $50 million. All three of Oklahoma City’s previous downtown arenas have been paid for entirely by taxpayers, so this is a big step forward.
Furthermore, this project is being funded without increasing taxe rates, which will be a significant factor when Oklahoma City voters make their decision on Dec. 12, as a temporary one-cent sales tax will be implemented that will not raise taxes and will not increase the city’s current sales tax rate. The temporary tax will start after the conclusion of MAPS 4, which is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will essentially be extended at the end of that program.
Bigger picture, the City of OKC has clearly defined that the project will be funded primarily through three funding sources:
According to the press release, Mayor Holt and City Manager Craig Freeman will formally bring this proposed plan to the City Council on Sep. 26 to officially refer it to the people of OKC for their consideration, which will require a simple majority of the Council to call for the Dec. 12 election, and a simple majority of voters to pass it on that date. Holt and Freeman will also present to the Council on Sep. 26 a letter of intent signed by Oklahoma City Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett, committing the Thunder to play 25 years in the new arena if the December vote is passed and related legal documents are completed.
"For fifteen years the Thunder has been honored to help lead the transformation of Oklahoma City and enhance the tremendous pride our citizens have in their community,” said Bennett in a statement on Tuesday. “We now have an opportunity to build on that progress, advance our status as a true big-league City, continue to grow our economy and secure the long-term future of the Thunder. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Mayor Holt, members of the City Council, and the forward-thinking business and civic leaders in our community. Together we can develop an arena to serve as a crowning achievement in the ongoing renaissance of Oklahoma City.”
The completion of this new arena will yield enormous economic benefits, just as the city saw when the Thunder originally came to OKC back in 2008. Even outside of NBA games, it will be used to host major concerts and events.
Both parties agree that their intent is to open the arena in time for the 2029-2030 NBA season, if not sooner. In the meantime, the franchise will continue playing at Paycom Center while the new arena is designed and constructed, meaning the agreement is that the Thunder will be in Oklahoma City until at least 2050, which is twice the length of the original commitment made in 2008.
As the Thunder enters a new era with a young, rising core and a league leading amount of draft capital, a new arena is on the horizon and a long-term commitment to Oklahoma City is nearly official, pending vote.
Administration:Dustin Greenberg Phone: 405-308-2498 Email: [email protected] Jenkins (Secondary) Phone: 405-521-6316 Email: [email protected]: 1984 Lab Built: 2009 Size: 140,404 sq. ft. Tenant Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NASS Ag Stats Division, USDA Wildlife Federal, Conservation Commission,...
Administration:
Dustin Greenberg Phone: 405-308-2498 Email: [email protected]
Adam Jenkins (Secondary) Phone: 405-521-6316 Email: [email protected]
Built: 1984 Lab Built: 2009 Size: 140,404 sq. ft. Tenant Agency: Department of Agriculture, USDA-NASS Ag Stats Division, USDA Wildlife Federal, Conservation Commission, Horse Racing CommissionEmail: [email protected]
50 Northeast 23rd Street Oklahoma City , OK 73105 View on map
Administration
Dustin Greenberg Phone: 405-308-2498 Email: [email protected]
Krista Williamson (secondary) Phone: (405) 639-8139 Email: [email protected]
Built: 1965 Major Renovation: 2009 LEED Gold Certification Size: 11,427 sq. ft Tenant Agency: Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission
313 Northeast 21st Street Oklahoma City , OK 73105 View on map
Administration
Dustin Greenberg Phone: 405-308-2498 Email: [email protected]
Krista Williamson (secondary) Phone: (405) 639-8139 Email: [email protected]
Built: 1918 Major Addition: 2007 Energy Star Certified Size: 76,153 sq. ft over three floors & underground parking level. Tenant Agency: Office of the Attorney General
2120 NE 36 St. Oklahoma City , OK 73105 View on map
Administration
Dustin Greenberg Phone: 405-308-2498 Email: [email protected]
Dalton Jernigan (Secondary) Phone: 405-608-1439 Email: [email protected]
Built: Acquired in 1991 Size: 6,500 square feet main office and 1,800 square feet warehouse Tenant: OMES Central Printing
1915 North Stiles Oklahoma City , OK 73105 View on map
Administration
Dustin Greenberg Phone: 405-308-2498 Email: [email protected]
Berry Mulford (secondary) Phone: 405-973-5306 Email: [email protected]
Built: 1983 Size: 88,714 sq. ft Tenant Agency: Workers Compensation Court of Existing Claims, Workers Compensation Commission, Court Civil of Appeals, Oklahoma Real Estate Commission, OMES Information Services, Council on Judicial Complaints, Supreme Court - Administrative Office of the Courts Data Room
200 Northeast 21st Street Oklahoma City , OK 73105 View on map
Administration
Built: 1974 Size: 218,446 sq. ft Tenant Agency: Department of Transportation, Department of Rehabilitative Services (Snack Bar), Oklahoma Employees Credit Union
The Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma would like to bring a ballot referendum before Oklahoma City, Edmond and Norman voters in either fall 2024 or spring 2025 to fund its proposed rail commuter project, RTA representatives told the Edmond City Council on April 24.Jason Ferbrache, the interim executive director of RTA, said Burlington Northern Santa Fe has shown a willingness to share its right of way for the project, which ...
The Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma would like to bring a ballot referendum before Oklahoma City, Edmond and Norman voters in either fall 2024 or spring 2025 to fund its proposed rail commuter project, RTA representatives told the Edmond City Council on April 24.
Jason Ferbrache, the interim executive director of RTA, said Burlington Northern Santa Fe has shown a willingness to share its right of way for the project, which would travel through each of the member cities along the north-south corridor. The project, which faces unanswered questions about its total cost to RTA member cities, will ultimately need an access agreement with BNSF to be completed.
The proposed project also includes alternative corridors that would take passengers to Tinker Air Force Base — the largest employer in the three cities — and Will Rogers World Airport.
However, because RTA still needs more right of way and more railway track to complete the project, Ferbrache said RTA hopes to call for a special election among all three member cities — Edmond, OKC and Norman — to propose dedicating a percentage of sales tax proceeds from each city to fund the rail commuter project.
“I know that’s an additional discussion, but that’s really one of the major roles that member cities will decide is that advice and guidance — when does (an election) seem to work best collectively for the region?” Ferbrache said.
Kathyrn Holmes, another RTA executive, said BNSF is currently undertaking modeling to marry RTA’s operating plan and their own proposed growth plan. After that completed plan is given to RTA — which is expected to happen in June — the organization will then be asked to complete a conceptual design “that will advance the engineering work and the capacity improvements,” Holmes said.
Holmes said the conceptual design will get RTA “real numbers” that can be taken to voters on a ballot referendum. She said the conceptual design is estimated to be complete in June 2024.
“We will have our financial plan developed that would demonstrate what we need, not only for the infrastructure improvements, the bonding capacity, the debt service on the bonds, but also the ongoing operations and maintenance costs, so that we can roll all that up and say to the voters, ‘We need x percent of a sales tax increase to support this line.'”
State law limits RTA’s options, in that it can only levy a sales tax within member cities at a maximum rate of 2 percent. No other tax revenue sources from member cities can be used to fund the project, which will largely be backed by federal grants.
Additionally, RTA is asking for member cities to procure property to be used for train stations, which would be constructed by RTA. Currently, two stations are planned for Edmond, five are planned for OKC and four are planned for Norman — including a special events station to be used for large OU events.
Some general areas have been recommended for stations, but specific properties have not been selected. In all, 11 proposed stations were presented at the Edmond City Council meeting:
Originally, RTA included three additional cities — Midwest City, Del City and Moore — in its proposal. However, Midwest City withdrew from RTA in December 2021, while Del City and Moore withdrew in June 2022. City leaders cited financial impact as their reason for withdrawing.
Former Edmond Ward 2 Councilman Josh Moore, who did not run for reelection this year, said the RTA commuter rail project would help alleviate Edmond’s workforce housing issue by providing another option for employees to commute to Edmond.
“We talk about our housing challenges, our cost of housing and workforce, and, my goodness, the things that it could do for business in Edmond and especially in downtown,” Moore said. “It would be incredible.”
Former Edmond Ward 1 Councilman David Chapman, who also chose not to pursue a reelection bid, said constructing a rail line to the Will Rogers World Airport would be “huge.”
“It’s amazing to me how many cars there are in parking at Will Rogers airport. It’s crazy,” Chapman said. “Until you consider there is no other way to get there.”
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt told NonDoc that OKC will be working closely with the RTA on funding proposals.
“State law allows for cities to join together to form an RTA, and then that RTA can seek funding through a sales tax vote,” Holt said. “This effort is critical for our region’s future growth, and it has been over a decade in the making. I have always considered it one of the most important initiatives that will occur during my time as mayor, and that’s why I asked Gov. (Brad) Henry to lead the charge (as RTA chairman). RTA is truly an independent level of government, and though any funding proposal will be theirs, city and community leaders are and will be working closely with RTA leadership to see this through.”
Holt said the trajectory of OKC’s growth means those options will become more of a priority in the months and years to come.
“There won’t be anything concrete to consider this calendar year, but I think we are getting closer to a time when this will be a front-burner discussion,” he said. “We are already America’s 20th-largest city, and our metro’s growth in the decades to come will demand more public transit options, including light rail. That will be a vital conversation in the years to come.”
Norman Ward 7 Councilman Stephen Tyler Holman said he and many of his colleagues are supportive of the commuter rail project, but he said concerns exist about the amount of sales tax funds that RTA will demand from voters.
“The sales tax part of it is what has given us the most heartburn, and it has for me for the entire time that I’ve been involved in this project,” Holman said.
Holman, who chairs Norman’s Community Planning and Transportation Committee, said part of the reason Moore dropped out of RTA was owing to worries that Moore residents would vote down a sales tax increase to fund the commuter rail project.
However, Holman said Norman residents may be more “friendly” to that idea, as they previously passed a one-eighth cent sales tax in 2019 to fund the city’s existing public transportation system when the University of Oklahoma scaled back its support. The one-eighth cent sales tax replaced a portion of a one-fourth cent sales tax which expired earlier that year.
Owing to the current public transportation tax, Norman likely could avoid having to increase the tax as much as Edmond or OKC to fund the commuter rail, Holman said. Norman’s current sales tax was designed to exist until funding for metropolitan-wide transit was identified and approved.
“We wouldn’t need to increase it by as much in Norman because we already have a dedicated sales tax for it,” Holman said. “So we may need to increase that percent that we’re getting, but we wouldn’t be creating a brand new tax necessarily in Norman, and we wouldn’t have to increase it maybe as much as they may have to in OKC or Edmond.”
Holmes said a construction schedule would be determined if voters approve the three cities’ ballot referenda. A finalized access agreement with BNSF and finalized grant funding agreements would also be needed.
“Just as an example, the commuter rail line north in Salt Lake City, which is approximately the same mileage as this line from Edmond to Norman, was constructed in six years. Could be more, could be less, but that’s my thinking,” Holmes said. “Now in Salt Lake City, we built a line on an entirely separate corridor. Here, we’re going to be sharing BNSF infrastructure, so it could be faster than that, but that’s the anticipation we have as we’re planning.”
(Correction: This article was updated at 12:59 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2023, to clarify that the one-eighth cent sales tax passed by Norman residents in 2019 was not an increase, as it repurposed a portion of an existing one-fourth cent sales tax which expired the following year. NonDoc regrets this error.)
