Letterfrom the CityManager
HelloMuskogee,
Aswemakeourwaythroughthedogdaysofsummer,Ihavebeenreflectingonsomething thatisnotalwayseasytomeasurebutisdeeplyimportanttoourcity leadership.Notthe kindthatcomeswithatitle,butthekindthatshowsupeverydayinhowwecareforour neighbors,supportoneanother,andworktogethertobuildastrongercommunity.
To me, leadership is a noble endeavor. It is not about control or recognition, it is about responsibility, service, and trust. That belief shapes how we lead at City Hall and how we serveyou,thecitizensofMuskogee.Webelievethatpeoplearethemostimportantpartof any organization. When we trust and empower our employees, they rise to the occasion anddelivertheexceptionalserviceourcommunitydeserves.
ThatmeansleadershipdoesnotjustliveintheCityManager’soffice.Itlivesacrossthecity.It livesintheindividualswhofixourstreets,answeryourcalls,keepourneighborhoodssafe, andrespondwhenthingsgowrong Everyrole,everypersonmatters
WhenIspeakatournewemployeeorientation,IshareafavoritestoryaboutaNASAjanitor WhenaskedwhathedidforNASA,hereplied,“I’mhelpingputamanonthemoon.”That mindset—seeingyourroleaspartofsomethingbiggerthanyourselfisoneweareworking hardtoinstillacrossourorganization.Whenwecometoworkeachdaywiththatsenseof purpose,itshowsinthewayweserveourcommunity.
Our city’s mission is simple: It is a privilege to make our neighbors’ lives better every day. Thatmissionisnotjustwordsonawall.Itisastandardweaimtoliveuptobybuildinga high-performanceculturerootedintrust,service,andsharedpurpose.Weleadbyexample, putpeoplefirst,ownourresponsibilities,andaspiretotheAthenianOath“Thus,inallthese ways,wewilltransmitthisCitynotonly,notless,butgreaterandmorebeautifulthanitwas transmittedtous.”
Iamproudoftheprogresswearemaking.AndIamevenmoreproudofthecultureweare creating.OnethatreflectsthevaluesweallshareasMuskogeeresidents.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. Together, let’s keep moving Muskogee forward.
KendalFrancis CityManager
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.
Members of the Special Operations Team took part in a Touch-a-Truck EventattheMartinLutherKingCenter. Children had the opportunity to explore the Bearcat up close and witnessaK-9officerinaction.
Officers support young entrepreneurs at a lemonade stand.
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.
Muskogee Fire Department battling a blaze on W. Okmulgee Ave. amid intense heat. Police, Emergency Management and local businesses supported efforts of firefighters as they worked to extinguish this fire
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.
TheCountryClubCulvertProjectis continuingtoprogress.Thisproject isontrackforcompletioninFallof 2025(picturedbelow).
Progress on the Park Place Drainage Clearing Project, located at the intersection of Country Club and Shawnee. This will increase water flow through the channel (picturedabove).
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.
TonsoftrashcollectedinJuly 1319.43
TonsoftrashcollectedinFY2026
PublicWorks/Streets
MichaelStewart,Director
TheStreetDivisionCompleted
In July, multiple streets were paved in the city’s North West Zone, Founder’s Place Addition area, as well as, the South East Zone, known as Midland Valley. In the North East Zone, at the intersection of Virginia & Elmira, the deteriorating road surface was removed and replaced with concrete. Additionally, Callahan Street underwent re-striping following mill andoverlay.
17,440,058
17,440,058
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 TreatedinJuly
143,210,000 5.1million DailyAverage
GallonsofWasteWater TreatedinFY2026
DailyAverage
143,210,000
5.1million TotalProduction
Progress continues on the Haskell Booster Station Improvement Project on N. 48 Street. This project was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, along with a matching grant from the City of MuskogeeFoundation.
Communications
JudyVillalobos,CommunicationsManager
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.
Letter from the Office of the City Manager after the July 8, CIP Sales Tax Renewal vote.
We’re hiring information for the public.
Announcing Free Dump Day, Saturday, August 2nd.
Communications Manager introduced SeeClickFix to Mayor and Council at the Public Works Committee meeting Details were shared on the downloadable app which links citizens to city services.
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.
JulyAccomplishments:
Trailrepairsinprogressonthe Centennial,CoodyCreek&Civitan
AtHatboxComplexabeaverdam wasdrainedandremoved
Woodfiberspreadinallpark playgrounds
BuddyswingsinstalledatHatbox &ElliottParkplaygrounds
Treeremoval&newelectrical& aeratorsatSpauldingPark
DepotGreenhostedAllAboard Thursday,onJuly24
WaterlineinstalledatGrandview Parkforfuturedevelopment
PromotingahealthyMuskogeein partnershipwithOSU-HOPGrant, RiverCountryWaterParkhas addedafreshfruitoptiontothe menu
Graffiti removal at Robison Skate Park
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.
InJuly,
TheHumanResources Departmenthired...
Threefull-timeemployees
EmployeePromotions
Congratulationstothe followingemployeewho receivedapromotioninJuly:
RosemaryBeran Exposition&CivicFacilities OfficeAssistantI
Chief Code Officer, Codale Ford received praise from a constituent, This constituent stated “I had the pleasure of doing business with the Chief Code Officer... he was very helpful and very nice to talk to and helped me a great deal... It truly was a pleasure.”
EmergencyManagement
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.
InJuly,
theEmergencyManagementDepartment...
participatedinacommunityplanningmeetingwith areaagencies;MuskogeeCountyEmergency Management,EMS,andotheragencies. assistedthePoliceDepartment,FireDepartment,& AnimalControlwithahousefire,vehiclefire,large structurefireandanofficerinvolvedshooting.
SignupforEmergencyAlerts forMuskogeeCounty byScanningthisQRcode
hiredanemployeetoassistwith brush-hog/mowingairfield
cutandbaledairfieldproducing 757haybales
receivedapprovalfromCityCouncilto applyforagranttocoversomeofthe expensesofrehabilitatingarunway
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
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.
InJuly,
Meet Peppa the dog and BamBam the cat Peppa has been a resident of the Muskogee Animal Shelter since February and BamBam has been residing their since June, both are is eager to find his foreverhome.
To adopt Peppa or BamBam, call 918684-6285orvisittheAnimalShelterat 4002 Border Ave, Monday - Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 11:00amto4:00pm.
Tourism&Exposition
JustinO’Neal,InterimDirectorofTourism&Exposition
