The City of Stinnett has launched a grassroots effort to dissolve its long-dormant Community Development Corporation (CDC), aiming to redirect over $800,000 in unused funds toward revitalizing the city’s infrastructure. City Manager Stacie Miller has been leading the charge, going door-to-door to gather signatures for a petition to put the matter on the May ballot.
A Decade of Inactivity
Stinnett residents contribute 0.25% of their monthly sales tax to fund the CDC, but the organization has not had an active board for over ten years. This has left the accumulated tax revenue untouched, even as the city faces aging infrastructure and limited business growth.
“We’re looking at obviously making changes, getting up to times,” Miller said. “It’s something that can get put on the back burner because of day-to-day business, but now we can really start seeing and making changes.”
Challenges in Maintaining an Active Board
Miller attributes the lack of an active CDC board to a combination of factors, including the volunteer nature of the roles and the community’s aging population.
“I think the big thing is just the lack of knowledge and the fact that everybody’s super busy,” Miller explained. “Those are the two biggest reasons we haven’t been able to maintain an active board.”
Town Halls and Community Input
To address the issue, the city recently held its first town hall meetings, inviting residents to discuss the potential dissolution of the CDC. If the petition garners enough signatures and the measure is approved in May, the funds will be released to the city for much-needed updates.
“That’s what we’re looking for — just to better the community,” Miller said. “Ten years from now, we don’t want to be just some hole in the wall. We want to still be a functioning city.”
Plans for the Funds
The city has ambitious plans for the accumulated funds, which would go toward updating roads, water and sewer lines, replacing aging gas lines, and installing digital meters. These upgrades are seen as critical to ensuring the city’s long-term viability.
In addition, the city has submitted three grant applications that could further aid in these improvements.
A Vision for the Future
With this initiative, Stinnett hopes to position itself for growth and sustainability. Miller’s efforts to engage directly with residents underscore the city’s commitment to transparency and community involvement.
“By releasing these funds, we can tackle the updates that have been long overdue and ensure Stinnett remains a vibrant, functioning city for years to come,” Miller said.
