[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6480551,"mediaKeyId","5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e","parentId",5680583,"title","McAlester Regional Airport sets Oct. 24-25 opening events; grant approved for taxiway rehab","audioSeconds",305,"startMs",1621000,"endMs",1926000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e&start=1621&end=1926","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e/thumbnail_1621000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6480551/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/McAlester-Regional-Airport-sets-Oct-24-25-opening-events-grant-approved-for-taxiway-rehab","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480551-abba8c7a20adb459a74ca57e16d00a6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176689&Signature=SC54K7qsKIQt9Q6jfaKV~WaT2cNR6~JsTjjbJLqEDaLBozc1EB8~Vj8gNBEV7w5xxcOmJBXAryWkyhT5q7ItJbvbOwx-~F7HHMkRcb6ZdqiKG1VO9VQp~z~Kh6k4404uGzmmz~8Mx1mqaGQ~kpdPuPF9dNSWZnCDuIaJbf~kMpSAfAQ7wgKYQlLlrOiocmkjZvaKyIB5Rg8G7BssPraZxU1ADacPJu2RMktfdd-vl8zl-Vwlhn7nfo3nqRQdkBoheIshUr9p7QkzV0ezCNxm0JFGCdetFUcnAXnY1FuLnZ8sne9j~ab6XI8kxBu03123iCdPw~5IjGNLDdeEoJgMyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mcalester","date","2025-08-27T12:00:35Z","article","McAlester — City staff told the council the McAlester Regional Airport has received the keys to its new terminal and is planning two opening events: a VIP/donor reception on Friday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a public open house on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Billy Sumner, who provided the update, said staff are completing communications and furniture set-up and “our goal is to make this a smooth transition for all the pilots and the staff.” Sumner said the city is working to get internet and other communications set up before the terminal is placed into operation.

Sumner also reported that the Oklahoma Department of Aeronautics authority (referenced as ODAA in the meeting) approved the airport's grant application on Oct. 21 for rehabilitation of the taxiway and related striping. He said the project is expected to start around November and take roughly four months, depending on weather and permitting; the contractor indicated work could extend into early spring if needed.

On operations and usage, Sumner cited visitation numbers gathered from local event-tracking data: about 6,400 visitors in 2022, 7,800 in 2023, 9,500 in 2024 and 7,300 so far this year. He praised airport staff by name: JW Hightower, TJ Kearns and Jason Fender. Sumner also introduced the newly hired airport manager, Eric Suske, who told the council he was excited to begin the role.

Councilors asked questions and praised airport staff; Sumner said he would share more event and grand-opening details with the council. The council later convened as the McAlester Airport Authority as part of the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New - Regular Council Meeting, August 26th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported the new airport terminal is near ready; the council heard plans for VIP and public opening events Oct. 24-25, a grant approval for taxiway rehabilitation, and the introduction of a new airport manager.","taxTitle","McAlester, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma","taxId",53915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480555,"Council approves use permit to convert former child-care building into three apartments on Carl Albert Parkway",219,1401000,1620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e&start=1401&end=1620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e/thumbnail_1401000.jpg","/articles/6480555/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/Council-approves-use-permit-to-convert-former-child-care-building-into-three-apartments-on-Carl-Albert-Parkway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480555-ed30358ee26eaa487e10dd02806a969a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176689&Signature=F2G9L7UaP3LS7VuHI3xm5JLL6RPqigcEBS3GhgfZUxf1qLiZYi696XeOPSNPIv99OJ5KOqWmF8UxeGCEb7Dhro44X1jsOp5KAA-SrkePS~lGXtXlR087hXTGHaj5s3sGp3gdkx9lUY4ycs~vw96keY-uPfNpaPyIvEcndyr9wY3acQYJeX0cv~hWxUQuEyY0FhDyh4EpT94J1kEyL9ReVDBG278ivB0KpxDFERyVu-2TvM0Qq~LKC3ZwuLT2lhWjkerOQeVEykOUfb0Z1q0CW9gbAxDAHjj5aKJPahqkLDdYLkQgiO5sKCZGJScHT1Kprq~CnTy6-r287IZXrrxDbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McAlester — The city council approved a use permit after review to allow conversion of the former child-care facility at 439 West Carl Albert Parkway into three multifamily apartments.

Planning staff said the site, currently zoned C-4 (restricted commercial), previously operated as a child-care learning center and had been vacant since about April 2024. The new owner proposes three apartments: two one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit. Planning staff told the council the Planning Commission, at its July 15 meeting, recommended approval and that the resolution before council includes required screening, landscaping, lighting and parking stipulations to meet section 62-263 of the municipal code.

Unit sizes listed in the application are: first-floor Apartment 1 — 882 square feet (one bedroom, one bath); Apartment 2 — 623 square feet (one bedroom, one bath); second-floor Apartment 3 — 1,148 square feet (two bedroom, two bath). Staff said the conversion would require building permits and code review to ensure stairways, emergency exits and other code elements are brought into compliance.

Councilor Roden moved to approve the use permit after review; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call.

Staff said the resolution ties site improvements and ongoing conditions to the property so the requirements remain with the site if ownership changes. The council’s action was limited to zoning approval; any building-permit work must still meet applicable codes.","Council approved a use-permit-after-review to allow conversion of a vacant former child-care building at 439 West Carl Albert Parkway into three apartments with conditions for screening, landscaping, lighting and parking.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480559,"McAlester council approves $171,315 Komatsu dozer for landfill",137,1253000,1390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e&start=1253&end=1390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e/thumbnail_1253000.jpg","/articles/6480559/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/McAlester-council-approves-171315-Komatsu-dozer-for-landfill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480559-a6ac971c80608f564a5c837b40c07408/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176689&Signature=ebQ~aGqvzi3DswsfEbXySi4fcSiSEWAaPwGuEDsxZOtKFlrprCBAqnNW2s0~yHnoQq6q5UeKWi4s3p4uwp9TA~eeCwjOGIi0aSloNEtxdzMbSdDG12UiGLwoO4I9Y5FZBmfBSUJgrjpZap4XYT4X6a3hvHDtGuyeykTn9tcNwZE-y9WTIK5-IIc9zh-FHyXyBzljBnPFkSr1TJxU-fKYngmFNgEj3EKIZpWSZ5YjqgC7ai3KDTcKNkhfIzz~HxtkRVTCl4sCr3j9sx6DaiTtJbocKhQuuTZzLZuqkSe62LBeef2NvRMmWaeCME6LEIq1n5Pxl7G-pzG7PipnQG7Yhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McAlester — The city council approved the purchase of a Komatsu crawler dozer from Kirby Smith Machinery, Inc., for use at the McAlester landfill at a price of $171,315.

Public Works staff told the council the current dozer has a failed engine and is worn out; repair would cost about $70,000 but would not return the machine to a reliably usable condition. Staff said three bids for comparable equipment were solicited and the recommended machine from Kirby Smith Machinery was the lowest responsive bid.

The purchase will be paid from landfill funds, staff said. The supplier will provide a five-year warranty on the dozer. Councilor Boatwright moved to approve the purchase; Councilor Woodley seconded and the motion carried on roll call.

Council members asked whether the machine could be used for wildfire response; staff replied the dozer is being purchased with landfill money and its intended purpose is landfill operations. The council also confirmed funding availability; staff said Finance Manager Sherry Swift ensured the funds were available.

The council voted to approve the purchase and recorded the motion as carried.","Council approved purchase of a Komatsu crawler dozer from Kirby Smith Machinery for landfill operations; equipment funded from landfill account and includes a five-year warranty.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6480564,"McAlester council accepts pension funding and GASB reports showing near 100% funding",650,635000,1285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e&start=635&end=1285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5680583-02f0011b28a9eed3f12ba9e35203ad1e/thumbnail_635000.jpg","/articles/6480564/McAlester/Pittsburg-County/Oklahoma/McAlester-council-accepts-pension-funding-and-GASB-reports-showing-near-100-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6480564-7e01b1fefaf881fedf8bb27f93bfd0f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176689&Signature=eJU3Illk~V0euw5mjNJsZuo4TX90O28NQ1c7rdVWowbm38ZeGmq8I-awzMMjE86Sge7al135oOrm3Oq4pFqa3mRFQesQQmgUfPxyNS0fhEbYeZRna4QDhPImTJIzkxIkMWEmwI5qa2vB-~Zq4OPMXwxPt6uF3SVw7zRRrV4HH~9x4AYNV28G0dnXJHBdAZDrhybXscl7gc8y8i1wZ74heaadPShtFco3XvVy4h2Hy7H897dMDwZjADW-qXotRM6KOi5JpI~0J~cD4WDPicfxkd3tIJPi1eaWwQYlH1UuadtwaEnzDOZxqhVGcu0yfANsT3GYq5EvvHUrAB7Cy7svRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","McAlester — The city council voted to accept the actuarial funding report (as of 07/01/2025) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) financial statements (as of 06/30/2025) for the McAlester defined-benefit retirement plan and trust.

In a presentation to the council, Bruce Nordstrom, the pension plan actuary, told council members, “In a nutshell, the news is very good.” He said the plan is essentially fully funded, reporting funding measures of about 97.4% on one basis and 101.3% on another.

The actuarial report shows roughly $15 million in market-value assets, a smoothed funding value of about $14.4 million and liabilities near $14.7 million. Nordstrom said participant count is falling, and the plan has been frozen for 12 years. He noted the city’s minimum annual contribution dropped from about $414,000 last year to $355,000 for the current year and that contributions are expected to fall further next year after the final amortization of an older funding basis.

Why it matters: GASB accounting rules require governments to project pension obligations across the life of the plan and can force a lower discount rate if assets are insufficient; that change can raise reported liabilities. Nordstrom warned that a significant market setback could push the plan out of fully funded status and said continued contributions provide a cushion.

Councilor Gilmore moved to accept the reports; Councilor Boatwright seconded. The motion carried on roll call.

Council discussion included questions about how low contributions could go in a tight budget year; Nordstrom said, “If you wanted to cut it all the way to bare bones, it could go down to as low as 15 or 20,000,” but recommended keeping contributions nearer $200,000 for a few years to preserve the funded status. He explained that every 100 basis points of a lower discount rate would raise the liability roughly 9%, increasing the city’s reported pension liability and potentially affecting bond ratings.

The council accepted the reports and recorded the motion as carried. The actuary and staff said they would provide supporting documents to address a later question about a plan amendment raised by a member of the public.","City pension consultant reported the retirement plan is roughly fully funded; council accepted actuarial funding and GASB financial statements and approved continuing contributions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

McAlester Regional Airport sets Oct. 24-25 opening events; grant approved for taxiway rehab

Council approves use permit to convert former child-care building into three apartments on Carl Albert Parkway

McAlester council approves $171,315 Komatsu dozer for landfill

McAlester council accepts pension funding and GASB reports showing near 100% funding