City Manager’s
Letterfrom the CityManager
HelloMuskogee,
AfriendrecentlygavemeJohnMaxwell’snewbook,HighRoadLeadership:BringingPeople TogetherinaWorldThatDivides.AsIhavebeenreadingit,Icouldn’thelpbutthinkabout howitslessonsapplyrighthereinMuskogee.Maxwellchallengesleaderstotakethe“high road”-tochooseserviceoverself-interest,unityoverdivision,andtrustoversuspicion.That messagefeelsespeciallyimportantforourcommunityrightnow.
Weliveinaworldwhereitcanbeeasytofocusondifferences.High-roadleadershipasks ustodotheopposite:toleanintocollaboration,tofindcommonground,andtotreatevery person with dignity and respect. For Muskogee, that means more than just good government.Itmeansbuildingrealpartnershipswithbusinesses,nonprofits,schools,faith leaders,andneighborhoods.Itmeansrecognizingthatprogressisnottheworkofoneoffice or one department, but the collective effort of an entire community moving in the same direction.
High-road leadership also reminds us that the most powerful leadership is not always visible It’sintheemployeewhogoestheextramiletosolveaproblemforaresident It’sin theneighborwhohelpscleanupablockorchecksinonsomeonewhoisstruggling.It’sin the willingness of community partners to set aside competition and come together for a shared goal. These are the small, steady acts of service that build trust, and that trust is whatallowsacitytoflourish.
AsyourCityManager,IbelieveMuskogee’sgreateststrengthisitspeople.Whenwecommit to leading with trust, service, and generosity, we create a culture that lifts everyone up. Whenwefocuslessonwhogetsthecreditandmoreonwhatwecanaccomplishtogether, welaythefoundationforreal,lastingprogress.Thatistheessenceofhigh-roadleadership, anditisthepathIbelievewillcarryMuskogeeintoastronger,moreunitedfuture.
Thankyouforyourcontinuedtrust,support,andwillingnesstojoininthiswork.Together,we can ensure that Muskogee is not only well cared for today, but passed on to the next generationgreaterandmorebeautifulthanitwasgiventous.
MuskogeePoliceDepartment
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.
Muskogeeofficersresponded to...
2,494
Throughout the month, there was a focused effort on ensuring traffic yields to emergency vehicles on Highway 69, leading to26stops.Thisinitiativewasheld in memory of Sgt. Kenneth Salas (Spokane County Sheriffs Dept., WA), who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on August 9th afterbeingstruckbyavehicle. Rendering of the new Bass Reeves MemorialPublicSafetyComplexwhichwill become headquarters for the Muskogee Police Department, along with multiple otheragenciesinthenearfuture.
MuskogeeFireDepartment
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.
Planning&CodeEnforcement
SarahWinkle,Director
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&Recycling
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, recycling center and the watertreatmentplant.
The Country Club Culvert Project is continuing to progress. This projectisontrackforcompletioninFallof2025(picturedbelow).
SolidWaste
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.
PublicWorks/Streets
DrinkingWaterTreatment
WaterDistribution
Catch all of the latest City of Muskogee information every Tuesday morning on the Muskogee Minute with City Manager Kendal Francis, live on OkieCountry101.7.
WasteWaterTreatment
Gallonsof WasteWater TreatedinAugust
132,200,000
4,260,000
GallonsofWasteWater TreatedinFY2026
275,410,000
4,680,000
The Haskell Boost project, managed by Cook Consulting, has made notable progressasRacewayElectricreplacesthedamagedgeneratorpanels.Anew MCC breaker is set to be installed. Furthermore, Raceway Electric has successfullyinstalledanewMCCmainbreaker,andtheprojectisnowready forschedulingthefinalwalkthrough.
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.
CityManager’sMonthlyReport TeraShowsannouncedasthenew AssistantCityManager MarkWilkersonHonoredas OutstandingPublicOfficialbyMain StreetMuskogee Muskogee2045PublicMeeting information CityManager&Mayormetwith CherokeeNationPrincipalChief ChuckHoskinJr. TrailMarkerHonoringMerle Haggard CityHallSelfieDayAnnounced SeeClickFixinformation CityofMuskogeeWe’reHiring NationalEmergencyManagement Monthrecognition Muskogee-DavisRegionalAirport staticdisplaytakenremoved 10onTuesday Muskogee’sDrop-offRecycling Center
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.
AugustAccomplishments:
MuskogeeSwim&FitnessCenter had5,024visits
HostedMovieNightontheGreenat DepotGreen
Parksmaintenancecrewsare activelyengagedincleaningand caringforthetrails.
CivicCenterinstalledMerle HaggardMusicTrailMarker
DepotGreenhostedAllAboard ThursdayonAugust21st
Softballandsoccerleagueshave kickedofftheirFallseasonatthe Love-HatboxSportsComplex.
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.
MuskogeeRegionalDavisAirport
TylerEvans,Director
The Emergency Management Department plays a crucial role in coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts. This includes storm spotting, tornado alerts, mass notifications, and collaboration with various agencies and jurisdictions during emergencies. The Emergency Management team partners with the County, State, FEMA, insurance companies, and other organizations to effectivelymanageemergenciesanddisasters.
InAugust,
Mayor&CityCouncilpresenteda proclamationrecognizingNational EmergencyManagement AwarenessMonth
AttendedtheNortheastRegional EmergencyManagementmeeting inBartlesville
Assistedwithnineservicecalls, whichincludedfires,motorist assists,policerequests,andpublic works.
GrantsubmittedfortheRunway RehabProject.Theengineering phaseofthisinitiativeisexpected tocommencebeforetheyear concludes,whileconstructionis projectedtobeginin2026
ADSBFlightTrackingAntenna InstalledonTerminalRoof. InstalledanADSBflighttracking antennaontheroofoftheterminal. Thisnewadditionenablesusto trackthenumberofaircraft arrivingatanddepartingfromour airportwithgreateraccuracy
Participatedinan“AllAboard Thursday”event,highlightingthe contributionsofEmergency Managementtothecommunity.
Deliveredapresentationon EmergencyManagementatthe RotaryClubofMuskogee.
ThetelevisionintheTerminal waitingareaisdisplayingflight trackingsoftware,providing passengersandpilotswithrealtimeupdateswhiletheywaitfor theiraircraft
ParticipatedintheMidAmerica AirportGrandOpeninginPryor,OK Antennahasbeenreplacedfor pilot-controlledlighting
Floodlightsandterminalexterior lightinghavebeenreplaced
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 revenue and expense projections to facilitate the budget process for the nextfiscalyear. DennisRead,Director
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.
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.
Tourism&Exposition
JustinO’Neal,DirectorofTourism&Exposition
EconomicDevelopment
TeraShows,AssistantCityManager
