State Question 847: What It Could Mean for CareerTech and Oklahoma Communities
On the Ballot November 3, 2026
When Oklahomans think about property taxes, they often think about their annual tax bill. But property taxes also play an important role in funding the schools, workforce training programs, emergency services and other resources that help communities function and grow.
On November 3, Oklahoma voters will consider State Question 847, a proposal that would change how quickly taxable property values can increase each year. While that may sound like a technical change to the property tax system, its potential effects reach far beyond an individual tax bill.
SQ 847 would slow the growth of local property tax revenue over time, potentially affecting the resources communities have available to maintain essential services, respond to growing needs and invest in the future.
Understanding what the measure proposes, how local property taxes work and what the changes could mean for your community can help you make an informed decision.
Explore the information below to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Local Property Taxes
What are property taxes (ad valorem taxes)?
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Property taxes (also called ad valorem taxes) are local taxes paid on real estate. Unlike state income or sales taxes, these dollars stay in the community where they are collected and are invested by locally elected officials to support local priorities.
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Property taxes help fund essential community services, including:
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K-12 public schools
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Oklahoma CareerTech centers
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Libraries
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Emergency medical services
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County government services
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Public health departments
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Roads, bridges, courts and elections
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Local funding allows communities to respond to their own educational, workforce and infrastructure needs.
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How does taxable property value work?
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A property has a market value, generally what it could sell for, and a taxable value used to calculate property taxes.
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Oklahoma law limits how quickly taxable value can increase from one year to the next. As a result, a property's taxable value may grow more slowly than its market value.
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SQ 847 would further lower the existing annual growth limits on taxable value.
What is the difference between homestead and non-homestead property?
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Homestead-exempt property generally refers to a home the owner occupies as their primary residence and for which they have applied for and received a homestead exemption. Examples include an eligible house or condominium.
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Non-homestead property includes property that does not have an approved homestead exemption, such as:
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Commercial property
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Rental property
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Second homes
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Other real estate
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Primary residences without an approved homestead exemption
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This distinction matters because different annual taxable-value growth limits apply to these categories. Qualifying agricultural property is also subject to the current 3% limit.
Understanding State Question 847
What would State Question 847 do?
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SQ 847 will appear on the November 3, 2026, statewide ballot.
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The measure was referred to voters by the Oklahoma Legislature through a legislative referendum.
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Changes Oklahoma's constitutional limit on how quickly the taxable value of property can increase each year.
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Lowers the maximum annual increase in taxable property values.
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Over time, lower growth limits on taxable property values would slow the growth of local property tax revenue.
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The measure is estimated to reduce funding to Oklahoma's CareerTech system by more than $100 million over the first 10 years.
Would SQ 847 lower my property taxes?
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No, SQ 847 would not directly reduce a property's current taxable value or guarantee a reduction in an individual property tax bill.
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Instead, it would lower the annual limits on how quickly taxable values can increase in future years.
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The effect on an individual property tax bill would depend on factors such as the property's taxable value, applicable exemptions and local tax rates.
Potential Impacts of SQ 847
How could SQ 847 affect local funding over time?
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The effects of SQ 847 would happen gradually rather than all at once.
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By lowering annual taxable-value growth limits, the measure would slow the future growth of the local property tax base. That, in turn, would slow the growth of property tax revenue available to support community services.
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As communities grow and the costs of providing services increase, slower revenue growth may not keep pace with inflation and increasing needs.
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When inflation and service costs outpace local revenue growth, communities could face funding deficits, leaving fewer resources available to maintain services, expand programs or invest in facilities and equipment.
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The key distinction: SQ 847 would not directly cut today's funding, but it would limit how quickly an important source of local funding can grow in the future.
Why does this matter to CareerTech?
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Local property taxes are the primary funding source for Oklahoma's CareerTech system, providing approximately 63% of its revenue.
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This funding helps support:
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Workforce training and industry partnerships
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Career and technical education for secondary students and adults
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Equipment, technology and facilities
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New and expanded training programs
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Responses to changing local workforce needs
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
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Property taxes are local taxes that stay in the communities where they are collected.
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Changes to local property tax revenue can have long-term effects on the ability of K-12 schools and the CareerTech system to respond to enrollment growth and meet the changing needs of their communities.
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Local funding gives communities the flexibility to invest in local priorities and essential services.
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State Questions 847 each propose different changes to Oklahoma's property tax system.
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None of the three measures identifies a dedicated replacement funding source for the local funding that could be affected.
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Understanding these measures helps Oklahomans make informed decisions about their communities.
Questions? If you have any questions about 847, please send an email here.