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Muskogee council annexes 171.324 acres in John T. Griffith Industrial Park, declares emergency
Summary
The City of Muskogee approved Ordinance No. 4275‑A to annex six contiguous parcels totaling 171.324 acres in the John T. Griffith Industrial Park, adopting a service plan and declaring an emergency. One council member voted no and a resident urged delay over a county TIF question.
The City of Muskogee City Council approved Ordinance No. 4275‑A on Sept. 25, 2025, annexing 171.324 acres in the John T. Griffith Industrial Park and adopting a service plan for the newly annexed territory; the council also declared an emergency so the ordinance can take effect immediately.
The ordinance, described at a public hearing and presented by Miss Bodenhamer, covers six parcels that abut the city limits and are owned by the City County Port Authority, OG&E, Core Scientific and Polaris Technologies. The council voted 7–1 to adopt the ordinance and 7–1 to declare an emergency; Jamie Stout cast the lone no vote on both actions.
The service plan submitted with the ordinance designates proposed land uses that include residential, agricultural and commercial classifications and seeks I‑1 (light industrial) zoning for the properties while recognizing existing uses as legal nonconforming under 11 O.S. § 44‑107.1. The plan says the City of Muskogee will provide code enforcement, police and fire protection, water and sewer service, street maintenance and sanitation services after annexation; some services will initially be complaint‑driven and could be expanded as the park grows.
“I'm happy to answer any questions about the service plan,” Miss Bodenhamer said during her presentation, in which she described the notice and mailing efforts, the service components and estimated costs for some services.
City staff told the council that public notices were published Sept. 10, 2025, owners were mailed notices by first‑class and certified mail, and an affidavit of mailing and a service packet were filed as exhibits to the ordinance. The annexation was authorized for public hearing by Resolution No. 30‑52, passed Sept. 8, 2025.
The service plan lists several estimated annual costs and resource notes: the city estimated annual water distribution maintenance at about $10,211 and reported an annual sewage collection and treatment estimate of $350,000. The plan states the Muskogee Police Department will be the primary responder in the area and that the Muskogee Fire Department would provide response with at least three pumpers, one ladder truck and a rescue truck as needed; apparatus and personnel cost estimates discussed in the presentation included a personnel rate referenced at $507.28 per hour and apparatus at $3,000 per hour, though the city said future needs and costs could change as the park expands.
During the public hearing, resident Dan Kuskas said some stakeholders, including county officials, might not have been aware of the annexation plans and urged the council to “tap the brakes” and review county TIF documents before finalizing the annexation. Kuskas said the county established a TIF district in April 2024 and that the TIF documents appeared to state there was no anticipation of annexation. The resident asked the council to review those materials and consider potential conflicts between the county TIF and the proposed annexation.
Council discussion was limited; no additional public comments were received on the service plan during the hearing. After the presentation and public comment the council moved to adopt Ordinance No. 4275‑A, including Exhibit B (the service plan), and then to declare an emergency so the ordinance would take effect immediately. Both motions passed with the same 7–1 split.
Votes at a glance Ordinance No. 4275‑A (annexation of 171.324 acres, service plan Exhibit B): Approved 7–1 (Yes: Mike Brawley; Tom Martindale; Melody Cranford; Shirley Hilton Flannery; Tracy Hoose; Deputy Mayor Derek Reed; Mayor Patrick Hale. No: Jamie Stout). Emergency declaration to make ordinance effective immediately: Approved 7–1 (same votes).
The ordinance materials filed with the council include service plan exhibits and affidavits of mailing; the service plan indicates it may be negotiated or amended with property owners where practical after annexation. The city noted zoning changes would require a separate process and that existing uses will be treated as legal nonconforming until any rezoning occurs.
