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Letterfrom the CityManager
HelloMuskogee,
I am Kendal Francis, and I am honored to step into the role of your new City Manager.MywifeHeatherandI,alongwithourchildren,areexcitedtobehere andlookforwardtobeingapartofthiswonderfulcommunity.
Ihavespentthelast30yearsinlocalgovernmentservice.Alongtheway,Ihave learned that the most meaningful work happens when we come together to tacklechallenges,shareideas,andbuildsomethingbetterforeveryone.Thatis whatIamheretodo.IwanttoworkwithyoutohelpMuskogeegrow,thrive, andreachitsfullpotential.
I firmly believe city government should be open, responsive, and focused on the people it serves. My leadership philosophy is simple: leadership is about servingothersandaddingvaluetotheirlives.Ihavesharedthatwiththeentire citystaffandemphasizedthatmovingforward,servicetootherswillbeatthe coreofeverythingwedo.
Inthedaysahead,IamlookingforwardtomeetingasmanyofyouasIcan. Whetheritisatacommunityevent,acitymeeting,orjustrunningintoeach other at the grocery store, please do not hesitate to introduce yourself, and whenwedomeet,pleasecallmeKendal.
Beblessed! CityManager
KendalFrancis
MuskogeePoliceDepartment
ChiefJohnnyTeehee
The Muskogee Police Department is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community through proactive law enforcement, crime prevention,andemergencyresponseservices.Thedepartmentiscommitted toupholdingtheruleoflaw,maintainingpublicorder,andprotectingresidents and visitors through a variety of specialized units, including patrol, investigations, K-9, and community policing programs. The Muskogee Police Department works collaboratively with local organizations, city departments, andthepublictobuildtrust,enhancecommunityengagement,andimprove overallqualityoflifeinMuskogee.
Officer Davenport and K-9 Officer
TrackervisitedthestudentsatLittle OkieAcademy.
Court Appointed Special Advocates(CASA)recognizedMPD for their work helping to spread awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month with a sweet treat.
MuskogeeFireDepartment
ChiefJodyMoore
The Muskogee Fire Department (MFD) provides 24-hour emergency response services, including fire suppression, vehicle collision response, explosion management, and medical emergencies. Operating from multiple strategically locatedfirestations,MFDensuresrapidresponsetimesacrossthecity.Firefighters are highly trained in firefighting, rescue operations, hazardous materials management,emergencymedicalservices,andpublicfireeducation.Inaddition to emergency response, MFD conducts fire prevention programs, safety inspections, and public education initiatives, emphasizing preparedness, professionalism, and rapid response to ensure the well-being of Muskogee residents. In addition to fighting fire, they can also cook with fire. MFD won first placeinthecrowdpleasingBBQandhotlinksdivisionsintheExchangeClubChili and BBQ Cook-off. The cook-off is a fundraiser to raise money for children’s charities.
Planning&CodeEnforcement
SarahWinkle,InterimDirector
The Planning Department consists of three divisions: planning, code enforcement, and inspections. Code enforcement officers play a vital role in maintainingcityordinancesrelatedtoneighborhoodservices,whichinclude issuessuchasmowing,parking,trash,debris,andabandonedproperties.The missionofCodeEnforcementistoensureMuskogeeremainsbeautiful.Thisis achieved through their active presence in the neighborhoods and by addressingtheconcernsraisedbythecitizens.
PublicWorks/Stormwater
The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining and improving Muskogee’s infrastructure, streets, water systems, stormwater programs and other essential services, including sanitation and yard waste, environmental control, pollution control, and the water treatment plant.
ThePublicWorksteamiscurrentlyworkingonaboxculverttofacilitatebetter drainageonCountryClubRoad. Theteamistyinginthewallrebar,whichis essential for ensuring the structural integrity of the culvert. This milestone marksanimportantstepforwardintheproject,settingthestageforthenext phasesofconstruction;asolidconcretefloor.Constructionisexpectedtobe completedwithin90days,weatherpermitting.
SolidWaste&Recycling
MichaelStewart,Director
The Sanitation (Solid Waste) Division services approximately 13,000 residents and several hundred businesses in the City of Muskogee. The department operates four residential routes, one dedicated dead-end and handicap service route, and two commercial routes to ensure efficient waste collection across the city. The division utilizes five automated side-load trucks, which minimize direct contact between employees and refuse. Additionally, several semi-automated rear-load trucks are used for collection, allowing for manual assistance when necessary.
1,553
MichaelStewart,Director
UtilityCutRepairs
Kershaw Drive received a 2-inch asphalt overlay, as part of the Southwest Zone Mill and Overlay Project
WasteWaterTreatment
GallonsofWasteWater TreatedinFY2025
8,665,000
4,304,700
8 DailyAverage Liftstationrepairs
TheCityofMuskogeeis improvingsewerserviceon thesouthsideoftown. Crewsrecentlyinstalleda 12-inchgravity-fedsewer lineattheintersectionof East53rdStreetSouthand GulickStreet.
TeraShows,InterimManager
The Communications Office handles all internal and external communications for the City of Muskogee. The Communications Manager serves as the primary contact for local media outlets, overseespressreleases,managestheCityofMuskogee'ssocialmedia accounts, issues official statements on behalf of the City, and writes newslettersforemployeesandresidents.
Parks&Recreation
MarkWilkerson,Director
The mission of the Muskogee Parks and Recreation Department is to enhance the quality of life by providing the best possible recreational facilities,opennaturalspaces,trailsandprogramsforMuskogeecitizens.
The Parks and Recreation Department manages 16 playgrounds, 6 pickleball courts, 2 skateparks, seven splash pads, more than 15 miles of pavedtrails,15coveredpavilions,8tenniscourts,735acresofparkland,5 communitygardens,and6basketballcourts.
AprilAccomplishments:
SignageinstalledatGrandview Park
FiberlinesinstalledattheEsports Center
NewsignageinstalledattheSwim andFitnessCenter
RepairsmadetoRiverCountry WaterPark
Splashpadswereservicedand readytoopen
Bridgeconstructioncompletedat HonorHeightsPark
The Muskogee Garden Club donated an iron painted sculpture to the Children’s Garden at the Papillion at Honor Heights Park. The sculpture was curated by Gerald Grostek and Glenda Blakesiee. It will serve as a beautiful photo backdrop for visitors to the park.
ExpositionFacilities
JustinO’Neal,Director
The Civic Center and Hatbox Arena are the key exposition facilities in theCityofMuskogee.Bothvenueshostavarietyofcommunityevents, bringing excitement and entertainment to the area. Whether it’s an amazingconcertoranexhilaratingrodeo,theExpositionFacilitieshave aplaceforeveryevent.
AprilAccomplishments:
TheCivicCenterhostedthe EasternDistrictSpellingBee
HatboxArenahostedRheaLana’s ResaleEvent
HatboxRVParkhostedthe ExchangeClubChiliCook-off
HatboxAreahostedtheChamber ofCommerceannualbanquet.
HatboxArenahostedtheMHS Prom
HumanResources
MaggieEaton,Director
The Human Resources Department plays a crucial role in supporting the City’s workforce. HR is in charge of managing and coordinating employee benefits, ensuring that employees have access to health insurance, retirement plans, and other vital programs. They maintain the confidentiality of personnel files, publish job announcements, recruit new talent, and hire staff. Additionally, HR oversees payroll processing to guaranteethatemployeesreceivetheirpayaccuratelyandontime.
InApril,
TheHumanResources Departmenthired...
Onefull-timeemployee
Twelvepart-timeemployees
Fouremployeesretiredduring themonthofApril.
Joe(JoeBuzz)Croftcheck FireCaptain
DrewSafell
AirportManager
JaredMiller
AnimalControlOfficer
RoyThornburg
ParksandRecreation
EmployeePromotions
Congratulationstothe followingemployeeswho receivedpromotionsinApril:
JamesMoore PoliceSergeant
StevenWarrior PoliceLieutenant
RyanHiner FireCaptain
DenverCoffee FireDriver
The Finance Department plays a crucial role in managing and documenting the City'sfinancialactivities.ItalsoincludesthePurchasingDepartment,whichoversees the acquisition of goods and services. In March, the Finance Department began developing
and expense projections to facilitate the budget process for the nextfiscalyear.
DennisRead,Director
RobertSweptson,Director
The City of Muskogee’s Fleet Management Department operates a centralized maintenance program for city vehicles and equipment. The City owns more than 400 vehicles,250piecesofequipmentand450smallengineassets.TheFleetManagement Departmentprovidesregularpreventivemaintenancesaswellasunscheduledrepairs through internal maintenance operations and contracted services with commercial vendors Other responsibilities include collision repairs, assisting other departments with skilled services, fleet management services, GPS management and asset management. The Fleet Department does most repairs in-house with very little outsourcing, utilizing a fully-stocked parts room for timely repairs. In addition, Fleet Management is responsible for providing fuel, oil and grease for all on-road and offroadcityequipment.
EconomicDevelopment
TeraShows,Manager
The Economic Development for Housing and Retail Office focuses on attracting and maintaining housing, dining, and retail opportunities withintheCityofMuskogee.
Economic Development Manager Tera Shows was among 15 representatives from the state of Oklahoma at the Heartland EconomicDevelopmentInstituteinBlueSprings,Missouri.Terawasone of just three individuals in the state awarded a scholarship to participateinthistraining.Theweek-longprogramprovidedintensive instruction on fundamental concepts, information, methods, and strategiesrelatedtolocaleconomicdevelopment.
InApril,
Attendedthe1050ForwardMicropolitanSummit ParticipatedintheSelectOklahomamembershipmeeting
AnimalControl
The Animal Control Department responds to calls concerning animal complaints or investigations within the city limits. Furthermore, the Animal Control Department manages the spay and neuter assistance program, offering eligible residents access to low-cost or complimentary sterilization servicesfortheirdogsandcats.
