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Muskogee council calls July vote on 0.5% sales tax to fund capital projects
Summary
The council approved a resolution and ordinance to place a one-half of 1% excise (sales) tax on the July ballot to fund capital projects including streets, utilities, downtown revitalization, library rehabilitation and a $2 million port berm.
The Muskogee City Council voted to call a special election in July 2025 and approved ordinance No. 42-63a to submit to voters a one-half of 1% city excise tax for capital projects.
The resolution (No. 30-29) authorizes the city to hold a July election asking registered Muskogee voters to approve the additional 0.5% excise tax. Ordinance 42-63a sets the tax to begin Oct. 1, 2025, and terminate Sept. 30, 2033, and lists eligible uses including streets, utilities, public safety, community facilities, downtown revitalization, library rehabilitation, Hat Box upgrades, a $2 million port berm and other capital improvements.
Why it matters: If approved by voters, the tax would extend an expiring Capital Improvement Program (CIP)-style levy and fund a multi-year capital plan. The council and staff described the measure as a renewal/extension-style funding source for projects the city has proposed.
Public input and transparency requests: Citizen Ron Dean asked the council to publish a full accounting of the prior CIP (roughly $24 million collected previously), saying transparency on how past funds were spent would increase public confidence and improve chances of voter approval. Mayor Patrick Kale and staff said they would accelerate providing that information to the community.
Vote and next steps: Councilors voted to approve the resolution and ordinance (roll calls recorded in the minutes). The ordinance specifies the ballot question language, the effective dates (Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2033) and a list of projects; staff noted the resolution amended the polling-place list based on county input.
