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.
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?
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.
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:
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.
Tuesday
January 14, 2025
Polls Open 7am to 7pm
Ask a Specific Question:
JerriS@mcems.us
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.
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