Muskogee County commissioners approve routine items, OK $50,000 for E. 83rd St. drainage; enter executive session on litigation

The Muskogee Board of County Commissioners met July 14, 2025, and approved a slate of routine administrative items, scheduled a departmental presentation, and authorized Phase One of a road drainage project on E. 83rd Street in District 1 using up to $50,000 from the USE Tax Fund. The board also entered an executive session to discuss pending litigation involving the Buckhorn Fire Department and returned with no action.

The meeting opened at 8:15 a.m. with Chairman Ken Doke, Vice-Chairman Keith Hyslop, Commissioner Kenny Payne and Muskogee County Clerk Polly Irving present. Commissioner Keith Hyslop moved to open the meeting; Commissioner Kenny Payne seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously.

Why it matters: The drainage authorization commits county USE Tax funds for an identified Phase One project and sets a funding cap of $50,000; the executive session addresses pending litigation that the board identified by case numbers but did not resolve in open session.

What the board approved

Votes at a glance • Motion to open the meeting — Mover: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Second: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Purchase orders — Mover: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Second: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Monthly reports — Mover: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Second: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • July 9, 2025 regular meeting minutes — Mover: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Second: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Declaration of Surplus (District 2) — 2016 air compressor, inventory ID D4060204 — Mover: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Second: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Resolution to dispose equipment for Taft Fire Department — 2023 Spartan zero-turn mower (VIN SZHD154724BX8PB13) — Mover: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Second: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Kellpro Software and Service Agreement (Assessor’s Office) — Mover: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Second: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Presentation scheduled: Luke Marks, Redwood Insurance, July 21, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. — Mover: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Second: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Outcome: approved (unanimous); note: no paperwork presented for signatures. • Resolution from the Town of Taft to rename S Robertson Street to S Robertson/Canzaty Smith Street — Mover: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Second: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Phase One of road drainage project on E. 83rd St (District 1) — Use of USE Tax Fund up to $50,000 — Mover: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Second: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Outcome: approved (unanimous); note: no paperwork presented for signatures. • Enter executive session to discuss pending litigation (case numbers CV-23-907 and 122571, BOCC vs. Buckhorn Fire Department) at 8:50 a.m. — Mover: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Second: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Adjourn executive session and resume regular meeting at 8:58 a.m.; no action taken regarding the referenced cases — Mover: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Second: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Outcome: approved (unanimous). • Adjourn meeting at 9:07 a.m. — Mover: Commissioner Keith Hyslop; Second: Commissioner Kenny Payne; Outcome: approved (unanimous).

Other business and announcements

• Bid 2025-031 (Janitorial Services, Muskogee County Health Department) closed at 9:00 a.m.; the county reported that all submitted bids were non-compliant and the Health Department will reissue the solicitation. • No action was taken on a proposed Lease Purchase Agreement and Bank Qualified Lease Addendum between Armstrong Bank and Brushy Mountain Fire Department; the record indicates the item was discussed but not approved. • The Treasurer’s Office announced it will be closed on July 15, 2025.

Context and next steps

The meeting consisted mostly of routine approvals and administrative items. The drainage authorization allocates a funding cap from the USE Tax Fund and may proceed subject to any required paperwork or further approvals; the minutes note that no paperwork was presented at the meeting to support some motions. The executive session was convened to discuss pending litigation identified by case numbers; the board returned to open session with no action taken. The Health Department will rebid janitorial services after finding the initial submissions non-compliant.

Meeting attendance, motions and records are reflected in the official minutes of the Muskogee Board of County Commissioners for July 14, 2025.