Enid's hotel tax is now 12%, bringing in more visitor-funded revenue for community amenities, tourism and key projects.
Enid voters approved the increase from 8% to 12% on Aug. 25, 2026. The new rate and the new City-County revenue split took effect Oct. 1, 2026.
By the numbers
12%
Hotel tax rate. Up from 8%, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
$2.1M
Projected annual revenue. Up from about $1.4 million.
+$700K
Additional revenue. Projected each year, shared by the City and County.
Visitors
Who pays. The tax is paid by people who stay in Enid hotels and motels, mostly visitors.
Before and after the change
Projected annual hotel tax revenue and how it is shared:
| |
Before Oct. 1, 2026 |
Starting Oct. 1, 2026 |
| Tax rate |
8% |
12% |
| Annual revenue |
About $1.4 million |
About $2.1 million |
| City of Enid share |
62.5% (about $875,000) |
60% (about $1,260,000) |
| Garfield County share |
37.5% (about $525,000) |
40% (about $840,000) |
About $700,000 more each year, funded mainly by visitors
That is an estimated $385,000 more for the City of Enid and $315,000 more for Garfield County each year. Figures are projections based on current hotel stays.
Advantages for our community
The change creates meaningful benefits for Enid and Garfield County residents by putting visitor-generated revenue to work.
Paid mainly by visitors
The hotel tax is paid by people staying in local lodging. Residents pay it only when they stay at a hotel or motel.
Economic growth
More visitors means more spending at Enid's local businesses.
Expanded amenities
More revenue supports investment in new and existing facilities and community activities.
Regional destination
Quality sports and entertainment facilities attract regional tournaments and events to Enid.
Quality of life
Reinvesting visitor dollars means better facilities, more events and more recreational opportunities.
Stronger partnership
The revised 60/40 split means both the City and County benefit from the increased revenue.
Where the revenue goes
Hotel tax revenue is reinvested in facilities and initiatives that serve Enid and Garfield County.
Garfield County
Chisholm Trail Expo Center
The County's share supports operations and improvements at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center, a key venue for regional events and trade shows.
City of Enid
Stride Bank Center
The City's share supports the Stride Bank Center, Enid's premier venue for concerts and sporting events.
City of Enid
Tourism opportunities
Improvements at existing and potential new sports venues, downtown parks, the NJCAA World Series and more.
How visitor-funded investment works
The hotel and motel tax is a tool communities across the country use so that visitors who enjoy a city's hospitality help invest in it.
- 1
Step 1
Visitors stay in Enid hotels. Tourists, business travelers and event attendees book lodging in hotels and motels throughout Enid.
- 2
Step 2
Hotel tax is collected. A percentage of each stay is collected as hotel tax. Since Oct. 1, 2026, the rate is 12%.
- 3
Step 3
Revenue is reinvested locally. Funds go to the City and County to maintain facilities, promote tourism and add new amenities.
- 4
Step 4
Community benefits grow. Better facilities attract more events, which bring more visitors and more sales for local restaurants and retailers. More events and restaurants benefit residents as well as visitors.
Frequently asked questions
Who decided, and what was the result?
The Enid City Commission placed the question on the ballot, and Enid voters approved it on Aug. 25, 2026. A simple majority (50% plus one) was required. The measure passed with 54.24% of the vote.
When did the new rate take effect?
Oct. 1, 2026. Hotel stays on or after that date are taxed at 12%, and revenue is now split 60% to the City of Enid and 40% to Garfield County.
What does the hotel tax money provide?
It improves quality of life in Enid and Garfield County by attracting more entertainment and sports events; supports more activities and better facilities for youth; funds needed improvements at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center and added maintenance at the Stride Bank Center; helps Enid bid successfully to host national and regional sporting events; and attracts more visitors, which supports local hotels, restaurants and retail and makes Enid more appealing to tourism-related investment.
Why does funding matter for hosting events?
An April 2026 study by the Sports Events & Tourism Association found that 94% of destinations provided financial incentives or funding support to attract or retain sports events in 2025. Added funding helps Enid compete to host national and regional sporting events.
Who pays, and how much?
People who rent hotel rooms pay the tax on top of their nightly room rate. For a typical one-night stay, the 4-percentage-point increase adds about $4 to $6. The hotel tax is a way for visitors to pay their fair share for the public services and facilities they use.
How does this benefit me?
By generating revenue from visitors rather than residents, Enid can invest in amenities, tourism and economic growth without placing additional strain on local taxpayers. Residents enjoy the same facilities and events the revenue supports.
Will the higher tax keep visitors away?
Very unlikely. The extra of about $5 per night is small compared with the cost of driving to a hotel 38 miles away in Perry or 65 miles away in Stillwater. Business and industrial visitors who rent rooms by the week or month will also find staying in Enid cheaper than commuting from another city.
Why promote tourism in Enid?
According to a May 2026 study by Dean Runyan Associates, tourism remains a major economic driver across Oklahoma, especially for small businesses, local employers and rural communities. Every overnight visitor supports local restaurants, stores, hotels, fuel stations and jobs. Tourism brings outside dollars into the community and strengthens the local economy without relying solely on local taxpayers. Tourism activities also contribute to the well-being of residents.
What projects will the additional revenue support?
The increase allows expanded investment in community projects, including development, maintenance and groundwork for a possible new multi-sports complex, as well as continued support for the Stride Bank Center, the Chisholm Trail Expo Center and future tourism initiatives.
What events do City and County facilities host?
City-owned or supported facilities host events such as the NJCAA World Series at David Allen Memorial Ballpark, Stride Bank Center concerts and shows, Enid Lights Up the Plains, "The One" tree and Christmas events, EJRT youth sports, Enid Comic Con, Candy Cane Cash, Enid Outlaws semi-pro basketball, Vance Air Force Base formal events, the Skeltur Tournament, area high school basketball playoffs, a wedding show, the Senior Life Expo, United Way and Chamber annual banquets, the Jiffy Trip Tournament at Advance Soccer Complex, the United Way chili cookoff and Bingo Loco.
Garfield County-owned or supported facilities host events such as the PRCA Rodeo, spring and fall home shows, the Oklahoma FIRST Robotics competition, Agrifest, high school graduations, the Corvette Show, the Northwest District Junior Livestock Show, the Cowboy Christmas concert, the Mennonite Relief Sale, the Garfield County Fair and the Outlaw Kart Showdown. County facilities also hosted an American Red Cross tornado relief shelter.
Timeline
June 10, 2026
Measure filed
The proposal was filed for the August ballot.
Aug. 25, 2026
Approved by voters
Enid voters approved the increase to 12%.
Oct. 1, 2026
In effect
The 12% rate and 60/40 City-County split began.
Last updated: Oct. 16, 2026. Revenue figures are projections and may change based on actual hotel stays.
This page was drafted with assistance from Claude, an AI model made by Anthropic, and reviewed by City of Enid staff.