Hello, Lawton.
This is your midweek civic update from the Lawton Town Crier.
Last week, on January 30, 2026, Ward 4 City Councilwoman Tiffeny Dimmery hosted a public town hall focused on how the City works, where decisions are made, and what residents can do to get involved—particularly around infrastructure and boards and commissions.
Below is a breakdown of the key topics discussed.
Boards, Committees, and How Residents Can Participate
Councilwoman Dimmery opened the meeting by outlining Ward 4 vacancies and appointments across several City boards and commissions, including:
- Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Advisory Committee
- City Planning Commission
- Parks and Recreation Commission
- Redistricting Committee
- Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority (LETA)
- Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women
- Veterans Affairs Committee
Residents were encouraged to apply and attend meetings, with Dimmery emphasizing that much of the City’s real work and early decision-making happens at the committee level, not just during City Council meetings.
Understanding the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Capital Improvement Plan, which governs large-scale infrastructure projects funded through voter-approved sales tax initiatives.
The CIP:
- Covers projects exceeding $50,000
- Focuses on long-term infrastructure investments
- Allows residents to track where funds are allocated and spent
Councilwoman Dimmery encouraged residents to attend CIP committee meetings to better understand how priorities are set and projects are selected.
Residents were also directed to the City’s Go Lawton app, which provides access to:
- meeting schedules,
- ward-level infrastructure updates, and
- CIP project status across the city.
Community Resources and United Way Presentation
The town hall included a presentation from United Way, delivered by Iola Noble.
United Way works with local agencies to provide services ranging from:
- housing and utilities,
- food and clothing assistance,
- early childhood support,
- senior services, and
- help obtaining identification documents.
A community resource guide was distributed, and residents were encouraged to contact United Way directly for assistance or to volunteer in its community investment process.
Street Projects and Infrastructure Update
Former Ward 4 City Councilman George Gill joined the discussion and provided an update on the City’s street improvement program.
According to Gill:
- Approximately 107 street projects are planned or underway
- Projects are bundled into larger contracts to reduce costs
- Multiple phases are being bid, awarded, and scheduled
Gill explained that bundling road projects allows contractors to mobilize efficiently and keeps overall costs down—while still requiring strict compliance with City standards.
Bidding, Contracts, and Oversight
Questions from attendees focused on contractor selection, timelines, and accountability.
Gill explained that:
- Projects are awarded to the lowest qualified bidder, not simply the lowest bid
- Contractors must meet experience, bonding, and financial requirements
- Contracts include deadlines and financial penalties for delays
- Work is inspected daily by City engineers and third-party inspectors
While weather and project complexity can affect timelines, Gill emphasized that the City maintains oversight and enforcement mechanisms to ensure projects are completed.
Roads Remain a Top Ward 4 Concern
Councilwoman Dimmery noted that roads were the top issue raised in recent Ward 4 survey responses and encouraged residents to participate more actively in meetings, committees, and public discussions.
Her message was consistent throughout the night:
engagement leads to understanding—and understanding leads to better outcomes.
Watch the Full Town Hall
The full Ward 4 Town Hall video is available below:
👉 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Kt9KXvdpf68
Hello Wednesday is a Lawton Town Crier feature that provides additional context and follow-up on stories discussed in our Daily Bell Ringer. Source material and related documents are available through our site and wiki.
— Garrett Jackson
Lawton Town Crier