Muskogee council approves application for opioid-abatement grant to support Blue Line Wellness Initiative

The Muskogee City Council on a special call in June 2025 approved a resolution authorizing the City of Muskogee to apply for opioid-abatement grant funds from the state attorney general’s office to support the Blue Line Wellness Initiative. The council voted unanimously on the measure.

City staff described the grant as part of opioid abatement funding distributed by the state attorney general and said the City expects “several $100,000 over a 3 year period” to aid police officers, first responders and their families. Mary Bodenhamer, a City staff member, told the council the award would help “our police officers and our first responders and their families.”

Councilors moved and seconded the resolution during the special call meeting and approved it by roll call. The vote recorded “yes” from Tom Martindale, Dan Hall, Melody Cranford, Shirley Hilton Flannery, the deputy mayor listed during roll call, and Mayor Patrick Kale. Mayor Kale seconded the motion after it was offered; the member who initially moved the motion is not specifically named in the roll-call record provided in the meeting transcript. The council then adjourned.

The resolution authorizes the filing of an application; it does not itself guarantee award of funds. City staff described the intended use as supporting the Blue Line Wellness Initiative and assisting officers, first responders and their families if the state grant is received. The transcript records the financial description as approximate: “several $100,000 over a 3 year period.”

No additional debate, amendments or conditions are recorded in the transcript provided. The council handled the item during a special call and took final action by roll-call vote at that meeting.