Muskogee City Council approves rezoning, repeals local campaign filing rule, updates utility eligibility and OKs insurance, sludge contract and appointments
February 23, 2026 | City of Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma
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The Muskogee City Council on Feb. 23, 2026, approved a series of routine and policy items, including a rezoning for two properties, changes to local campaign filing requirements and an amendment raising income thresholds for senior and disabled reduced water rates.
Planning staff identified a request to rezone parcels at 3101 and 3137 Emmons (near 32nd Street) from R-1 single-family to C-3 regional commercial and said the proposal conforms to the City of Muskogee 2025 comprehensive plan. "The applicant has requested a rezone of this property ... from R-1 Single Family to C-3 Regional Commercial," staff said, and recommended approval. The council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 42-85a to rezone the parcels.
City attorney's office staff explained that Ordinance No. 42-91a would repeal the city's campaign contribution filing requirement because those financial reports are now filed with the state ethics committee; the attorney's office described the local filing requirement as inconsistent with state law. "It's in violation actually of state law," staff said. Council members approved the repeal.
Councilmember Tracy, presenting Ordinance No. 42-92a, said the measure is not a rate increase but raises the household income thresholds that determine eligibility for the reduced water rates for seniors and disabled customers. The ordinance increases the maximum monthly income for a single-person household from $1,200 to $1,300 and for a two-person household from $1,600 to $1,800. Staff said residents can apply for the reduced rates at the revenue division in City Hall.
The council also approved a contract renewal for excess workers' compensation insurance with Midwest Employers Casualty Company at $118,551 per year, with staff noting an option to lock the rate for a two-year period. City staff explained the city is self-insured up to a retention level and purchases excess coverage for losses above that threshold.
On procurement, Public Works presented bids for removal and disposal of sludge from the water treatment plant lagoons (Lagoon No. 2). Public Works explained the lagoons accept backwash and filter solids, and that disposal is regulated by ODEQ. Tonto Construction submitted the lowest 11-mile-haul bid at $13.49 per cubic yard; the staff also solicited an alternate bid for a sub–1-mile haul that would apply if the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) approves on-site stacking at the Port of Muskogee, in which case the per-yard price would be $6.46. Public Works said the city budgets roughly $100,000 annually for this work but expects this cycle to require additional funds and has an option to increase authorization up to $250,000 to complete the project. The council accepted the low bid from Tonto Construction.
Council members approved several appointments to city boards: Mac (Max) Parks to the Airport Board (term beginning March 1, 2026), Kevin Anthus to the wellness initiative (term beginning March 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2026), Gary Underwood and Jamie Coburn Spear to the Parks & Recreation Board (terms beginning April 1, 2026), and the reappointment of Grama Stratton to a full four-year Parks & Recreation Board term.
During public comment, Sarah Meghan Kelly, founder of the International Women's Group of Muskogee, asked for council support and sponsors for a March 7 fashion-show fundraiser for the Rutha Timmons Cancer Foundation and affiliated Relay-for-Life activities at the Doctor Martin Luther King Community Center.
The council convened in executive session under Section 307(B)(4) and 307(B)(1), Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes to discuss a potential lawsuit, several workers' compensation claims (identified by claim numbers), and the city manager's evaluation. Returning to open session, the council directed staff to take actions discussed in executive session, authorized settlement actions for the listed workers' compensation claims, and took no action on the city manager evaluation item. The meeting then adjourned.
Minutes show roll-call approval on the items above; specific motion language and roll-call 'Yes' responses are recorded in the official minutes.
Planning staff identified a request to rezone parcels at 3101 and 3137 Emmons (near 32nd Street) from R-1 single-family to C-3 regional commercial and said the proposal conforms to the City of Muskogee 2025 comprehensive plan. "The applicant has requested a rezone of this property ... from R-1 Single Family to C-3 Regional Commercial," staff said, and recommended approval. The council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 42-85a to rezone the parcels.
City attorney's office staff explained that Ordinance No. 42-91a would repeal the city's campaign contribution filing requirement because those financial reports are now filed with the state ethics committee; the attorney's office described the local filing requirement as inconsistent with state law. "It's in violation actually of state law," staff said. Council members approved the repeal.
Councilmember Tracy, presenting Ordinance No. 42-92a, said the measure is not a rate increase but raises the household income thresholds that determine eligibility for the reduced water rates for seniors and disabled customers. The ordinance increases the maximum monthly income for a single-person household from $1,200 to $1,300 and for a two-person household from $1,600 to $1,800. Staff said residents can apply for the reduced rates at the revenue division in City Hall.
The council also approved a contract renewal for excess workers' compensation insurance with Midwest Employers Casualty Company at $118,551 per year, with staff noting an option to lock the rate for a two-year period. City staff explained the city is self-insured up to a retention level and purchases excess coverage for losses above that threshold.
On procurement, Public Works presented bids for removal and disposal of sludge from the water treatment plant lagoons (Lagoon No. 2). Public Works explained the lagoons accept backwash and filter solids, and that disposal is regulated by ODEQ. Tonto Construction submitted the lowest 11-mile-haul bid at $13.49 per cubic yard; the staff also solicited an alternate bid for a sub–1-mile haul that would apply if the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) approves on-site stacking at the Port of Muskogee, in which case the per-yard price would be $6.46. Public Works said the city budgets roughly $100,000 annually for this work but expects this cycle to require additional funds and has an option to increase authorization up to $250,000 to complete the project. The council accepted the low bid from Tonto Construction.
Council members approved several appointments to city boards: Mac (Max) Parks to the Airport Board (term beginning March 1, 2026), Kevin Anthus to the wellness initiative (term beginning March 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2026), Gary Underwood and Jamie Coburn Spear to the Parks & Recreation Board (terms beginning April 1, 2026), and the reappointment of Grama Stratton to a full four-year Parks & Recreation Board term.
During public comment, Sarah Meghan Kelly, founder of the International Women's Group of Muskogee, asked for council support and sponsors for a March 7 fashion-show fundraiser for the Rutha Timmons Cancer Foundation and affiliated Relay-for-Life activities at the Doctor Martin Luther King Community Center.
The council convened in executive session under Section 307(B)(4) and 307(B)(1), Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes to discuss a potential lawsuit, several workers' compensation claims (identified by claim numbers), and the city manager's evaluation. Returning to open session, the council directed staff to take actions discussed in executive session, authorized settlement actions for the listed workers' compensation claims, and took no action on the city manager evaluation item. The meeting then adjourned.
Minutes show roll-call approval on the items above; specific motion language and roll-call 'Yes' responses are recorded in the official minutes.
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