The City of Muskogee on Nov. 24 approved a $96,992,000 bid from Crossland Heavy Contractors to build a new wastewater treatment plant required under an Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) consent order.

City staff told the council the project became necessary after flood damage and inspection concerns at the existing plant. An earlier engineering estimate placed construction near $72 million; staff and engineers said rising material costs, regional contractor schedules and specialty equipment supply constraints pushed the low bid far higher.

"There's just absolutely too much work in the area and their project schedules wouldn't fit ours," said a representative of the engineering team, explaining why many general contractors declined to bid. Local subcontractor Justin Cook told the council he spoke with multiple firms and said "they're all too busy right now" and that equipment and aggregate prices rose sharply in the last year.

Some residents urged caution. Ryan Lowe of Muskogee told the council: "I'm almost certain that none of you guys have any clue on the particulars of this other than what Mister Stewart has told you," and asked councilors to "pause, pump the brakes, and look at this deal." Councilors responded that staff had pursued due diligence, sought reductions and would publish an itemized cost breakdown at the public works meeting Dec. 1.

Staff said engineering, inspection and bond-administration fees were included in the loan package; the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) has approved a maximum loan amount that would cover the bid and associated fees. City staff and engineers said they expect to negotiate at least $1.8 million in reductions with the contractor after award.

Councilors pressed for transparency. Councilor Dan Hall requested a public, itemized cost breakdown; staff committed to present details at the Dec. 1 public works meeting. The contract includes a three-year construction window; engineers said the plant was designed with capacity projections through 2050 and anticipated meeting ODEQ schedule requirements.

The council approved the bid by roll call. The Muskogee Redevelopment Authority and Muskogee Municipal Authority later approved related budget adjustments and the Crossland contract during their meetings.

What happens next: staff said they will finalize contract negotiations, present an itemized cost breakdown publicly on Dec. 1, and proceed with construction to meet the ODEQ deadlines.