Goodyear Tax Settlements Cost Comanche County $519K as Budget Talks Drag On

Goodyear settled 10 tax protests with Comanche County, and the result is $519,227 less flowing into local coffers. Seven of those accounts settled for reduced amounts, while three stayed the same. The settlements come as the tire maker’s second-quarter net sales fell 4.8 percent to $4.3 billion and the company prepares to close its Fayetteville, North Carolina plant by the end of 2027, cutting 1,700 jobs. Comanche County Assessor Grant Edwards said the county’s priority is avoiding a court fight over tax issues.

The next chapter belongs to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which will decide whether Goodyear qualifies for a five-year payroll-based exemption. If approved, the cost could shift to the state rather than falling on the company. That matters locally because school districts, including Cache, depend heavily on property tax revenue from major employers like Goodyear. A change in what the company pays could ripple through classroom funding and county services.

Meanwhile, Comanche County commissioners still have not finalized a budget one quarter into Fiscal Year 2027. County Treasurer Randi Burk said tax statements may not be printed until Thanksgiving Day. For residents across Lawton and the surrounding towns, the practical question is simple: what will you owe, and when will you know? What do you think the county should prioritize as it works through these numbers?