Boards, Committees, & Trusts

Board and Committee Meetings and Archives

Board of Adjustment (BOA)

The Board of Adjustments, also known as the BOA, exists to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by a planning or zoning official in the enforcement of any zoning ordinance; to hear and decide an appeal of any decision by the architectural review committee for the downtown Lawton overlay district denying a certificate of architectural conformance for a proposed project.; to hear and decide special exceptions to the terms of the city's zoning ordinances; to hear and authorize in specific cases such variances from the terms of the city's zoning ordinances; to hear and decide an appeal to grant an exception to termination of a nonconforming structure, nonconforming use or a conforming structure on a nonconforming lot and to permit the restoration of a nonconforming structure, a conforming structure containing a nonconforming use, or a conforming structure on a nonconforming lot damaged by fire, explosion, natural causes or a public enemy by more than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement value.

Building Materials Review Committee

The Building Materials Review Committee exists to hear appeals on the denial of building permits for failure to meet architectural standards found in Chapter 18 of City Code.

Citizens Advisory Committee

The Citizens Advisory Committee exists to monitor the progress of engineering, award of contracts, acquisition of right-of-way, construction progress, and all other aspects of accomplishing each project in accordance with the approved city’s capital improvements program and the priorities established by the City Council.

City Council

The City Council approves all ordinances, resolutions, and contracts, including but not limited to property sales, acquisitions and leases as well as major purchases of materials, equipment and services required by the city.

City Planning Commission (CPC)

The City Planning Commission, also known as CPC, exists to carry out a municipal plan for the orderly development and betterment of the City.

Downtown Lawton Architectural Review Committee

The Downtown Lawton Architectural Review Committee exists to issue certificates of Architectural Conformance for all projects within the Downtown Lawton Overlay District.

Fires Innovation Science & Technology Accelerator (FISTA) Development Trust Authority

The Fires Innovation Science & Technology Accelerator (FISTA) Development Trust Authority exists to plan, establish, develop, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, and make available Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) facilities, appurtenances, and related improvements within the territorial boundaries of the City of Lawton, Oklahoma, that will attract defense contractors, high-technology industry, innovative businesses and the like with capabilities to directly support the Cross-Functional Teams of Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF), Air & Missile Defense (AMD) and Fort Sill's FIRES Center of Excellence (FCoE) in the Army's comprehensive modernization, driving innovation and integrating capabilities to the warfighter.

General Employee Injury Review Board

The General Employee Injury Review Board exists to monitor incidents/injuries involving City employees and to determine appropriate actions to reduce the number of severity of incidents/injuries.

General Employee Safety Committee

The General Employee Safety Committee exists to allow the General Employee Safety Reps from various City of Lawton divisions to discuss safety issues in their division.

Health Plan Review Committee

The Health Plan Review Committee was established for the purpose of considering matters relating to the City of Lawton Health Plan and Flexible Benefits (i.e., FSA and HSA).

Highland Cemetery Board

The Highland Cemetery Board exists to be both an advisory and administrative body to adopt rules and regulations for cemetery operations, make rulings on the applicability of rules and regulations for the cemetery, make recommendations to the City Manager or Department Director affecting cemetery management and selection of the Cemetery Sexton, make recommendations to the City Council for budgetary items, direct the trustee in the administration of the cemetery care fund, and set fees and charges for spaces and services rendered at Highland Cemetery.

Historical Preservation Commission

The Historical Preservation Commission exists to prepare a comprehensive inventory of historical architectural and archaeological resources within the city, a general historical preservation plan to be incorporated within the comprehensive plan of the city, and findings of facts related to the recommendation for designation of historical architectural and archaeological districts and certificates of appropriateness.

Holiday in the Park

The Holiday in the Park Committee exists to coordinate and execute the City of Lawton’s annual Holiday in the Park event.

Investment Committee

The Investment Committee exists to abide by and monitor the policy of the City of Lawton to invest all public funds in a manner which will provide the maximum security of principal, while meeting the daily cash flow demands of the City and conforming to all state and local statutes governing the investment of public funds, as well as providing the highest practical investment return within these guidelines.

Lakes and Land Commission

The Lakes and Land Commission exists to receive complaints having to do with city lakes and surrounding city-owned land and to develop and make recommendations to the Council for proposed use of City lakes and surrounding city-owned land.

Lawton Access Board

The Lawton Access Board exists to serve as a liaison between the City and individuals with disabilities, local organizations representing persons with disabilities and other interested persons to effect participation from interested individuals in the City’s ongoing effort to ensure and maintain compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Lawton City Transit Trust

The City Transit Trust exists to oversee the operation of public transportation systems and facilities for the comfort and accommodation within the city limits of Lawton.

Lawton Economic Development Authority (LEDA)

The Lawton Economic Development Authority, also known as LEDA, exists to assist the City of Lawton and the State of Oklahoma in making the most efficient use of all of their economic resources and powers in order to lessen the burdens on government and to stimulate economic growth and development, specifically including, but not limited to, the power to conduct studies and prepare comprehensive plans relating to the future economic growth and development of the City; to inventory the services, facilities, and resources of the City; to promote and finance the development of the agriculture, commercial, and industrial resources of the City, all in order to achieve maximum utilization of the City’s human, economic, and natural resources and tourist attractions; to foster and promote an improved industrial climate within the City and to otherwise promote its general economic welfare and prosperity.

Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority (LETA)

The Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority, also known as LETA, exists to beautify and aesthetically enhance the appearance of the City of Lawton.

Lawton Industrial Development Authority (LIDA)

The Lawton Industrial Development Authority, also known as LIDA, exists to aide in the industrial growth of Lawton by supplying the City of Lawton any lands, buildings, or facilities that can be used in securing and developing industry within or near the City of Lawton.

Lawton Metropolitan Area Airport Authority

The Lawton Metropolitan Area Airport Authority exists to plan, establish, develop, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, and regulate airports and air navigation facilities either within or without territorial boundaries of the City of Lawton, Oklahoma, including the construction, installation, equipment, maintenance, and operation at such airports of buildings and other facilities for the servicing of their aircraft or for the comfort and accommodation of air travelers, or for use by aviation authorities or agencies of the United States of America, the State of Oklahoma, municipal or other political sub-divisions of government, or for other use that a municipality may undertake as to airports and buildings and facilities thereof.

Lawton Parking Authority

The Lawton Parking Authority exists to plan, develop, construct, and operate public parking systems and facilities and public transportation systems and facilities, as well as rent, lease or sell property, buildings, improvements, equipment and facilities for public parking systems and public transportation systems.

Lawton Personnel Board

The Lawton Personnel Board exists to hear appeals by employees relating to lay-offs, suspensions, demotions, or terminations of employment.

Lawton Public Library Advisory Board

The Lawton Public Library Advisory Board exists to act in an advisory capacity in order to promote the library system in the community and encourage widespread participation; to encourage public groups to use the library facilities for library purposes; to encourage any benevolent activity by private citizens or organizations that would enhance the library collection or provide special services in the library programs; to be available to act as an intermediary for receiving information regarding library activities of concern to the community; to review specific library programs and proposals; to advise the City Council or City Manager and Librarian on vital matters of concern pertaining to the public library; and to make recommendations to impose fines or penalties for loss of library materials and to set fees for library services.

Lawton Urban Homesteading Agency (LUHA)

The Lawton Urban Homesteading Agency, also known as LUHA, exists to purchase, acquire, maintain, repair, sell, dispose of, or otherwise deal in any property, buildings, and facilities within the City of Lawton which may be useful in connection with the rehabilitation of said property, buildings, and facilities to upgrade neighborhood areas.

Lawton Urban Renewal Authority (LURA)

The Lawton Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) exists to accelerate redevelopment to provide a better living environment and neighborhood; to enable and encourage the rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings to prevent urban decay; to preserve by maintaining and restoring buildings of historical and architectural value, and to sustain local characteristics; to revitalize through enhancing and strengthening the socio-economic and environmental fabric for the benefit of our urban communities.

Lawton Water Authority

The Lawton Water Authority exists to acquire, plan, own, develop, establish, construct, equip, maintain, and operate any and all physical properties maintained in the operation of any and all services in connection with the utility system.

Lawton Youth Sports Trust Authority

The Lawton Youth Sports Trust Authority will plan, establish, develop, improve, maintain and facilitate the promotion of high-quality youth athletic programs in the City and otherwise make youth athletic programs in the City of Lawton the best of its kind in the State of Oklahoma.

Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women

The Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) was established in 1989. The purpose of the MCSW is to identify problems faced by women in the Lawton-Fort Sill community, advise the Mayor and City Council on these problems and seek remedies to these problems. The Commission meets monthly, August-June, typically the 4th Tuesday at noon, but check the City's website for date, time, and agenda.

McMahon Auditorium Authority

The McMahon Auditorium Authority exists to provide and/or aid in the providing of proper operation, supervision, and management for the McMahon Auditorium, a public and municipal auditorium in order that such facility may be utilized to the maximum extent.

Museum of the Great Plains Authority

The Museum of the Great Plains Authority exists to operate, maintain, and promote the development of the Museum of the Great Plains; to encourage and coordinate all cultural, educational, artistic, research, and other activities and endeavors related to the operation of the Museum; and to encourage and stimulate all such create endeavors for the purpose of operating not only a regional museum of the highest quality, but also as an attraction of significant benefit to the economic well-being of the City of Lawton.

Parks and Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission exists to advise the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks and recreation by making a continuous study and inspection of complete parks and recreation system and programs of the City; advise Council of present and future maintenance, operation, planning, acquisition, development, enlargement, and use policy of the City parks and recreation activities and facilities; to study and encourage the development of parks and recreation areas and the development of wholesome recreation for all residents of the City of Lawton; and to advise the Parks and Recreation Director on the development of parks and recreation areas, facilities, programs, and improved recreation services.

Pension Trust Commission

The Pension Trust Commission exists to oversee the management and disposition of employee pension funds of the City of Lawton.

Traffic Commission

The Traffic Commission exists to coordinate traffic reports, to receive complaints having to do with traffic matters, and to recommend to the City Council, City Traffic Engineer, Chief of Police, and other City Officials ways and means for improving traffic conditions.

Vehicle Accident Review Board

The Vehicle Accident Review Board exists to reduce injury exposure for City employees and the public, and to minimize the loss of City resources due to employee involvement in preventable accidents.

Youth and Family Affairs Committee

The Youth and Family Affairs Committee exists to serve at-risk youth in Lawton, Oklahoma.