OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — Elgin Mayor JJ Francais is warning that State Question 832 could increase costs for local governments, businesses and residents if approved by voters June 16.
In a column published by The Lawton Constitution, Francais wrote that he views the proposal from two perspectives: as mayor of Elgin and as executive editor of a local newspaper. He said Elgin operates with a combined budget of more than $7.1 million, provides water and sewer service to nearly 1,000 homes, maintains 24 road miles and provides police and fire services to more than 5,000 area residents with 24 employees.
“I see both sides of the balance sheet and, as one business mentor told me, ‘The math has to math,’” Francais wrote.
SQ 832 would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2029 and then tie future increases to CPI-W, a federal inflation index.
Francais said no City of Elgin employee currently makes less than $15 per hour, but he warned the measure could still affect municipal budgets by compressing pay scales and making it harder to retain experienced employees. He said if entry-level wages rise, cities may need to adjust other wages to remain competitive.
“There simply isn’t room in Elgin’s budget to increase employee compensation without raising water and sewer fees substantially higher than currently planned,” Francais wrote.
Francais said city leaders across Oklahoma may have to consider raising water, sewer and other fees if SQ 832 passes. He also argued the measure could create pressure for employers that already are trying to manage higher costs for supplies, parts and fuel.
The column also raised concerns about wage compression for experienced workers. Francais wrote that if an employee making $17 per hour receives a raise to $20 while the minimum wage rises from $7.25 to $15, that employee’s relative pay advantage over entry-level wages narrows significantly.
Francais said he supports higher wages in principle but argued the policy must be measured against its broader cost.
“Most of us want our neighbors to earn a higher wage,” Francais wrote. “A higher wage affords someone greater buying power. The higher disposable income you have, the more you can shop at the businesses who advertise in this paper, the more you can turn the wheels of our economy. But the math has to math.”
Francais urged voters to reject SQ 832, arguing the measure could result in higher consumer prices, reduced services and higher local costs.
