State of Alva

Alva is doing well and always trying to improve itself. Years of infrastructure planning are finally being implemented into the city's fix-it schedules – the street, water tanks, sewage systems, well fields and water lines/systems. Maintenance has not always been kept they way it should have been, considering some of the replacements being made were done to very old systems. Generally, the plan is to fix things before they break or become unusable, thus requiring a total overhaul. The city planning takes years to come to fruition, but not without benefit.

Flynn, Barnes and Fifth Street all had replacements done in 2018. Parker did say they were behind on street projects because of an unusually wet summer. Hot and dry weather is what is needed to do asphalt overlays, and Alva had more inclement weather than usual.

In terms of finances, January 2019 is about even with January 2018, though Alva did have $400,000 sales tax so far this month. We haven't had that much since 2016! There are some signs of improvement in our local economy, said Parker. He surmised that not all of our local business owners are feeling that 20 percent jump. This is partially related to online shopping, although the use tax is contributing more heavily now to our sales tax.

Parker explained that any municipality that has a sales tax is allowed to have a use tax – basically, a tax on something bought somewhere else (like Amazon, Lowe's, etc.). When you bought that item, you will have also paid the Alva sales tax (or the point of delivery). That is then turned into the City of Alva as use tax. Alva receives this from any business that has a nexus in the state of Oklahoma.

Since there are good plans moving forward for continued infrastructure repairs, replacements and upgrades, the council is trying to work on bolstering local businesses this year. On Feb. 11 at the Chamber of Commerce Gala, the new grant program for local businesses will be introduced. This retail grant will allow for upgrades of store fronts (windows, sales floor, parking lots, etc). Grant applications will be accepted later next month. Updating store fronts will help stores be more competitive.

Alva was just recognized by a data analytics firm called Homesnacks.net. They put out city rankings all of the states. In Oklahoma, Alva is ranked No. 7 in best place to live, No. 3 in safest community, No. 2 in lowest unemployment rate, and No. 1 most affordable city.