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Election Day

January 14, 2025

Muskogee County voters will consider a .849 cents sales tax for a period of 7-10 years and 0.5 cents thereafter to be dedicated exclusively to public safety: Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Sheriff, 911 Center, Emergency Management, Rural Fire Departments, Fire Tax Board and other Emergency Services. The proposal includes public safety infrastructure throughout the county with facilities located in the City of Muskogee, Ft. Gibson, Haskell, and Warner.

Muskogee Fire Dept

Ballot Language

Shall the County of Muskogee, Oklahoma, by its Board of County Commissioners, levy and collect a .849 of one percent sales tax to be administered by the Muskogee County Public Safety Authority for the purpose of the acquisition of sites and the construction, erecting, furnishing, equipping, operating, maintaining, remodeling and repairing of public safety buildings and facilities and operating public safety programs, operations and purposes, including police, fire, emergency management, 911, sheriff, ambulance and other public safety programs, operations and purposes, and/or to be applied or pledged toward the payment of principal and interest on any indebtedness, including refunding indebtedness, incurred by or on behalf of Muskogee County for such purpose, such sales tax to commence April 1, 2025, and continuing thereafter and reducing to.50 of one percent on the date of payment or provision for payment of all indebtedness, including refunding indebtedness, incurred by or on behalf of Muskogee County for such purpose?

Muskogee EMS

FAQs

The current County Sales Tax rate is 0.65%. If the proposal passes, the new rate would be 1.499% for the first 7-10 years, subsequently the new rate would be 1.15%. This does not include state or municipal taxes.

  • Cherokee County: 1.75%
  • Haskell County: 2%
  • McIntosh County: 2%
  • Okmulgee County: 1.583%
  • Sequoyah County: 1.417%
  • Wagoner County: 1.30%

No out-of-pocket costs for Muskogee County residents requiring medically necessary EMS services.

The funds will be managed by a public trust, responsible for ensuring the resources are exclusively used for public safety purposes.

County Fire Departments will no longer be responsible for assisting in funding of the 911 Center operations, if this proposal is approved. This will occur after the first year of receipt of funds from tax.

Any individual or business, both residents and non-residents, who purchases items eligible for sales tax in Muskogee County. For more information on which items are subject to sales tax, Click Here

Public Safety Complexes in Haskell, Warner, and Fort Gibson. A comprehensive Public Safety Complex in Muskogee, the micropolitan hub, bringing together Muskogee County EMS, Police, Fire (administrative offices and Station Repair), Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Services, the 911 Center, and the Fire Tax Board. Public Safety Equipment to improve operational readiness. Operational support for Muskogee County EMS and E-911 Center.

Muskogee County's public safety facilities are outdated, undersized, and inadequate to meet the growing demands of our communities. These conditions hinder the effectiveness of our first responders and pose significant challenges to safety and service delivery.

Muskogee Police Department

The current police station is housed in the municipal building, originally built in 1931 as a civic center—not a police station. This facility:

  • Lacks space for additional personnel, with some offices converted from closets.
  • Has no heating, poor ventilation, and suffers from persistent water leaks and mold.
  • Is not ADA-compliant, limiting public accessibility.
  • Faces record storage challenges due to water damage risks.
A modern police station near the current location is essential to provide officers with proper workspace, climate control, and secure storage.

Muskogee County EMS

The EMS central hub is situated near the Katy Bridge Viaduct, a location increasingly obstructed by traffic and railroad crossings, delaying ambulance response times. The facility:
  • Suffers from structural disrepair, with constant leaks during rain.
  • Is too small for the current operational needs, as the team responds to over 20,000 calls annually.
  • Houses essential education and training programs, fleet maintenance, and the regional emergency medical response team, all of which have outgrown the current space.
A new facility is critical for improving response times and supporting EMS operations.

City of Muskogee Fire Department

Fire Stations 6 and 7 require significant upgrades to meet modern standards. Current conditions jeopardize the department’s ability to respond effectively and safely to emergencies.

Muskogee County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff’s Office urgently needs expanded facilities to keep pace with countywide demands. A new complex will centralize administrative offices while repurposing existing spaces to accommodate evolving operational needs.

Ft. Gibson, Haskell, and Warner Public Safety

Each of these communities faces similar challenges with insufficient space and aging facilities for emergency medical services and first responder agencies. New complexes will address these gaps, ensuring these vital services have the resources they need to serve residents effectively.

The facility's location across the viaduct (Katy Bridge), combined with increased downtown traffic and train crossings, can create significant delays in emergency response times from the central station.

Muskogee County serves a significant number of rural communities within the 840 sq miles. Public Safety is critical for all communities. Due to the vast coverage area and distances to health care facilities, increasing our presence is essential to improve response times and better serve the community.

Strategically located public complexes will provide modern facilities for fleet management and operations while fostering collaboration with partner agencies. This approach ensures efficiency and enhances service delivery across the county.

If approved, these funds will not be used to settle lawsuits. The ballot language requires the funds be used exclusively for public safety. This includes public safety infrastructure, equipment, and operations.

Muskogee Police


Muskogee Police

Proposed Building

Election Day

Tuesday
January 14, 2025
Polls Open 7am to 7pm

Speak Up!

Ask a Specific Question:
JerriS@mcems.us

Did You Know

Local elections impact many important aspects of our communities, including public safety, roads, infrastructure, and quality of life, so we want to encourage everyone to get out and vote on January 14th. To check your voter registration status and polling place, visit the Oklahoma Voter Portal.

Oklahoma Voter Portal
Muskogee Fire Dept

Sample Ballot

Muskogee Fire Dept