Adair County LS

Muskogee County
Listening Session Report
http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/oces/ocls/
December 3, 2002
The mission of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
is to disseminate information to the people of Oklahoma and
encourage the adoption of research-based knowledge relating
to agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth
development, and community development.
Muskogee County Listening Session
T
hirty-one (31) individuals
interested in a better future for
themselves, their families, and
their communities participated in
the Muskogee County Listening
Session. The Listening Session
was an effort to get a broad base
of citizen input to identify local
issues so a plan can be developed
to create a better economic,
environmental, and social situation for Muskogee County. Participants
from across the county provided input and identified, discussed, and
defined their community’s needs and opportunities while building on
the assets that presently exist.
The purpose of this report is to share publicly the process and the
information that was collected from the Muskogee County Listening
Session. The report lists the needs and concerns of the county as identified
during the open forum process. This report also will be used as a starting
point for the upcoming Focus Forum, in which an assembled group of
stakeholders will define, discuss, and begin to address the needs and
concerns identified in the Listening Session. Many of the needs and
concerns of Oklahoma can be addressed through partnerships with other
groups and organizations. The report can be found on the Oklahoma
Community Listening Session website at http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/
oces/ocls/.
The Listening Session revolved around a single, key question:
“Considering the next 3 to 5 years, what are the critical issues in
your community and in Oklahoma that need to be addressed to realize
a positive future for you, your family, and your community?” The
needs and issues identified by participants reflect several broad areas of
interest. Available data do not show that any one area is more significant
than another, but they do show that all these issues are vitally important
to the people of Muskogee County.
3
The Listening Session Process
Listening Session participants were divided into small groups, usually
not more than 12-15 participants. Small group participants considered
the guiding question (see below) and suggested issues that they felt were
of most importance to their families and community. With the assistance
of a group facilitator, each small group discussed its chosen issues,
combined similar issues, and then voted to determine its top five issues.
Following the small group sessions, participants came together in a
large group setting to discuss the results of the small group sessions.
They combined similar and overlapping issues and voted to determine
the top issues for the county.
“”
Considering the next 3 to 5 years,
what are the critical issues in your
community and in Oklahoma that
need to be addressed to realize a
positive future for you, your
family, and your community?
4
Small Group Discussions
The following issues were discussed in one or more of the small group
sessions.
•
Joint metropolitan area planning commission
•
City and county cooperation
•
Stabilize and prioritize funding for education
•
Joint venture between state and local governments for juvenile
crime prevention and juvenile detention facilities
•
Equalize county funding for roads and bridges – maintenance and
lighting
•
Promote tolerance, respect, and inclusion
•
More participation by officials in community events (listening session)
•
More aggressive economic development
o Airport development
•
Infrastructure
o Telecommunications in rural areas
o Lack of industrial growth
o True worker’s compensation reform
o Improve rural roads
o Highways and bridges
o Funding
o Water and sewer
o Reduce number of toll roads
•
Prioritize government spending
•
Education
o Amount of money kept at state level
o Eliminate unfunded mandates
o Funding
o Retain quality teachers
5
Small Group Discussions
6
•
Drug and crime problem
o Methamphetamine
o Increased security for rural areas
•
Water quality issues
o Maintain and protect safe drinking water
•
Generate jobs with living wages
•
Schools – keep teachers here (increase pay)
•
Stop decay of towns
o Water
o Sewer
o Public buildings
o Infrastructure
•
Expand cultural offerings
•
State agency accountability for budget development
•
Educate public on food supply and farming
o Plight of farmers
o Fairness in lending
o Corporate and independent farmers
•
Value-added agricultural products
•
Reduce number of inmates and resulting drain on state budget
Large Group Discussion
The large group addressed the ideas that were generated during the
small group discussions. Those ideas were then used as the basis for
defining the five issues of most importance to Muskogee County.
Infrastructure
• Telecommunications in rural areas
• Lack of industrial growth
• True worker’s compensation reform
• Improve rural road
• Highways and bridges
• Funding
• Water and sewer
• Reduce number of toll roads
Education
• Amount of money kept at state level
• Eliminate unfunded mandates
• Funding
• Retain quality teachers
• Stabilize funding
Educate public on food supply and farming
• Plight of farmers
• Fairness in lending
• Corporate and independent farmers
City and county cooperation to equalize county funding for
roads and bridges – maintenance and lighting
Prioritize government spending
• Less waste
• State agency accountability
7
Large Group Discussion
In the months following the Listening Session, Muskogee County
Extension Educators will invite community leaders and representatives
from organizations and agencies to a Focus Forum to consider what the
people are saying and to devise action plans for Muskogee County. As
Extension begins its long-range strategic planning process, the involvement of citizens in identifying needs and opportunities in the county and
community will be extremely valuable. Through the upcoming Focus
Forums, education and service providers will learn more about community concerns while forging new partnerships with other groups to
address identified issues.
8
Facts About Muskogee County
The intent of these data is to provide local perspective and context for
discussion. Local circumstances can change the demographic and
economic data; the following is the most up-to-date information that is
currently available.1
History
Named for the Muscogee (Creek) Indians, Muskogee County is rich
in history. In 1824 Fort Gibson was established to protect settlers in
the area, which was considered the Far West. Fort Gibson was the
first military post in Oklahoma. The land that became Muskogee
County was originally part of Indian Territory. The Creeks sided
with the Confederacy in the Civil War, as did all of the Five Civilized
Tribes. Fort Gibson played an important role in the conflict.
The city of Muskogee became the focal point for the Five Civilized
Tribes in 1875 when the Union Indian Agency established its headquarters in what is now Honor Heights Park. Bacone College, located
Muskogee
County
• Located in the
eastern region
• County population
is 69,451
• Labor force within
180,800
1
County statistics from Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Information Management, May 2000
9
Facts About Muskogee County
in Muskogee County, was established in 1879 as a college for Indians.
Muskogee County was created at statehood, with Muskogee as the
county seat.
Industry
Muskogee County’s economy is based primarily on agriculture, but
oil, industry, and recreation have also been part of building the
county’s economy. The city of Muskogee is within 30 minutes of
five major lakes.
According to the 1997 Census of Agriculture, Muskogee County
had 1,468 farms (averaging 227 acres). Average gate receipts were
$21,565 in 1997, and the county had nine farms with gate receipts in
excess of $500,000. Agricultural production was divided between
livestock (60 percent) and crops (40 percent). Contrasted with the
1992 Census of Agriculture, average gate receipts in 1997 decreased
27 percent, from $29,391 to $21,565; the average farm size decreased
17 percent.
Profile
Muskogee County is located in eastern Oklahoma. The county is
comprised of 839 square miles of rolling hills and valleys. The average annual rainfall is 57 inches. Average temperatures range from
41.4 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
According to the 2000 census, the county seat, Muskogee, had a
population of 38,310. The city is located 52 miles southeast of Tulsa.
Households
Muskogee County had 29,458 households in 2000. Statistics regarding those households are included in the table on the final page of
this report.
10
Facts About Muskogee County
Population Characteristics
The population density of the county is 83.6 persons per square mile.
The median age of the population is 37 years.
County Population - 2000
County population
Male population
Female population
Under 5 years
5 to 9 years
10 to 14 years
15 to 19 years
20 to 24 years
25 to 34 years
35 to 44 years
45 to 54 years
55 to 59 years
60 to 64 years
65 to 74 years
75 to 84 years
85 years and over
2000
69,451
33,515
35,936
4,857
4,953
4,939
5,399
4,423
8,265
10,295
9,180
3,541
2,975
5,289
3,839
1,496
Percent
100
48.3
51.7
7.0
7.1
7.1
7.8
6.4
11.9
14.8
13.2
5.1
4.3
7.6
5.5
2.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census 2000
Poverty
Poverty in Muskogee County decreased by 16.9 percent between
1990 and 2000. In 1990 there were 14,258 individuals living below
the poverty level. This number decreased to 11,846 by 2000. The
poverty level for family households with related children under 18
years of age decreased 17.7 percent between 1990 and 2000. In
1990 there were 2,362 such families, but by 2000 the number had
declined to 1,945 families. Poverty-level households headed by
women having no husband present and with children under 18 years
of age numbered 1,169 in 1990. By 2000 such households had declined
to 1,102, a decrease of 5.7 percent.
11
Facts About Muskogee County
Labor Force
The Muskogee County labor force numbered 30,869 in 2000, with
65.2 percent of males and 46.3 percent of females employed. The
county recorded an average annual unemployment rate of 4 percent
in 2000. The per capita personal income for the county in 2000 was
$20,222.
Tourism and Points of Interest
The major waterways in Muskogee County are the Arkansas and
Grand rivers and minor tributaries to the Deep Fork and Canadian
rivers. Also located in the county are Webbers Falls and Greenleaf
lakes, in addition to Greenleaf Recreation Area.
Muskogee County is home to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum,
located in Honor Heights Park. The famous Azalea Festival, which
draws thousands of visitors each April, is held in Honor Heights
Park. Other attractions are the USS Batfish, a World War II submarine
anchored at the Port of Muskogee; the Thomas Foreman Home;
and the Bacone College Indian Museum. The recently opened Three
Rivers Museum in Muskogee tells the story of the settlement and
development of the region of the Arkansas, Verdigris, and Grand
rivers.
Housing
The county has 29,575 housing units, and 89.5
percent of these are occupied by owners.
Statewide, 68.4 percent of housing units are
occupied by owners. The median owner-occupied
home value in the county is $57,700. Statewide,
the median owner-occupied home value is
$70,700. The median housing rental contract is
$396 per month in Muskogee County. Statewide,
the median housing rental contract is $456 per
month.
12
State
Average
Muskogee
$70,700
County
$57,700
Owner-occupied
home value
Facts About Muskogee County
Tax Structure
The average mill levy for ad valorem taxes in Muskogee County is
84.75 mills. It generated $28,708,285 in 2001-2002. Also, Muskogee
County received $3,106,822 from the state for the county’s proceeds
from the gas, diesel, and special fuel tax, as well as from the gross
production tax and motor vehicle collections.
Muskogee County collects sales tax at two levels: state and local.
There is no county sales tax. The state sales tax rate is 4.5 percent.
The local sales tax rate varies from city to city, as shown below.
Sales Tax Rates and Revenue, 2001-2002
City
Boynton
Braggs
Council Hill
Fort Gibson
Haskell
Muskogee
Porum
Summit
Taft
Wainwright
Warner
Webbers Falls
Sales Tax Rate
(%)
2.00
3.00
2.00
3.25
3.00
2.50
4.00
3.00
4.00
4.00
3.00
3.00
Revenue
($)
43,796
28,800
9,725
669,695
356,048
11,763,073
87,728
11,585
63,801
15,401
288,438
157,578
Source: OTC State Payments to Local Governments FY 2001-2002 and “Oklahoma
Ad Valorem Mill Levies, Fiscal Year 2002,” by Notie H. Lansford, Jr., and Dondee
Payne, Department of Agricultural Economics, July 2002, AE 02136
13
Facts About Muskogee County
Education
The county is home to Connors State College, Bacone College, and
Indian Capital Technology Center. There are 75.1 percent of
Muskogee County residents over 25 years of age who are high school
graduates, compared to 74.6 percent statewide. College graduates
25 years and older number 15.4 percent, compared to 17.8 percent
statewide.
14
Facts About Muskogee County
Primary Employers in the Area
Major Employers
Georgia Pacific
Muskogee Regional Medical Center
Muskogee School District
U. S. Veterans Hospital
City of Muskogee
U. S. Veterans Administration
Trucks for You
Acme Engineering
Dal Tile
Whitlock Packaging
Homeland
Wal-Mart
Waterloo Industries
OG&E Electrical Serivces
Zapata Industries
Owens-Brockway, Inc.
TransWestern Publishing
TCA
County of Muskogee
Muskogee Bridge Company
Unidare US, Inc.
Gerber-Coburn Optical
McDonald’s
CCOM Medical Group
Bios Corporation
American Foundry
Conners State College
Oklahoma Department of
Human Services
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
INCOR
Glover Construction
Dillard’s Department Store
Schroeder Brideport International
Smurfit Stone Container
Corporation
Graham Packaging Company
Oklahoma School for the Blind
Love Beverages
Creek Nation Muscogee Bingo
Green Country Behavioral
Health Services
U. S. Post Office
Products/
Services
Number
Employed
City/
Town
paper products
medical services
education services
medical services
government services
government services
trucking contractor
ventilating equipment
floor tile products
beverage packaging
retail grocery
retail store
tool storage chests
electric utility
bottle caps
glass containers
advertising
oil well tubing
government services
construction
heating and air
optical lens/grinding
equipment
restaurant
health care
health care
steel castings
education services
1,500
975
791
600
462
459
454
400
400
343
329
320
298
250
250
248
240
230
200
200
200
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Fort Gibson
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
198
180
175
174
167
160
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Warner/
Muskogee
government services
home improvement
nonprofit organization
construction
retail store
auto products
160
150
148
145
140
140
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
corrugated boxes
plastic molding
education services
distribute carbonated
beverages
bingo
137
133
132
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
130
128
Muskogee
Muskogee
health services
government services
120
120
Muskogee
Muskogee
15
Facts About Muskogee County
Major Employers
Sears Department Store
Anderson Wholesale
HealthCare Solutions Group
SBC
Muskogee County EMS
Advanced Warnings
Albertson’s
Captive Aire
Muskogee Daily Phoenix
Pleasant Valley Health Care
Center
Muskogee Youth Services
Bureau of Indian Affairs
K-Mart
J. C. Penney
Eastgate Village
Griffin Food Company
Indian Capital Technology Center
Muskogee Headstart
Lake Country Chevrolet-Cadillac
Yaffe Iron and Metal
Hamlin’s El Toro – East
James Hodge Ford-Lincoln-Mercury
Furr’s Cafeteria
Golden Corral
Golden Rule Industries of Muskogee
Western Sizzlin
Advantage Controls Inc.
Armstrong Bank (3 branches)
Boral Bricks
Med-Corp Home Health
National Steel Erectors
Red Lobster
Slape Cabinets
Terry Miller Pontiac-GMC Trucks
Lake Area Home Health
Transcript Press
Cross Communications
S & K Structural Services
Ramada Inn
David Garrett Law Office, P.C.
Union Pacific Railroad
Muskogee Federal Credit Union
Oklahoma Natural Gas Company
Optronics
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company
Products/
Services
Number
Employed
retail store
manufacturing supplies
insurance
telecommunications
medical services
traffic control warning devices
retail grocer
kitchen ventilation
newspaper
112
110
105
105
104
100
100
100
100
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
nursing home
nonprofit organization
government services
retail store
retail store
nursing home
food processing
education services
education services
automobile dealer
industrial scrap
restaurant
automobile dealer
restaurant
restaurant
nonprofit organization
restaurant
manufacturing and processing
banking services
brick manufacturer
health care
construction
restaurant
cabinet manufacturer
automobile dealer
health care
printers
communications provider
manufacturing and processing
motel
legal services
railroad
banking services
natural gas utility
manufacturing and processing
bottling
98
95
83
80
78
75
75
75
75
70
70
60
60
55
55
55
55
52
52
50
50
50
50
50
50
49
48
45
45
44
43
43
42
40
40
40
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Keefeton
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Muskogee
Source: Muskogee Greater Area Chamber of Commerce, July 2002
16
City/
Town
Facts About Muskogee County
County Demographics – 1990 vs. 2000
County population
Hispanic/Latino population
White population
Black or African American population
American Indian and Alaska
Native population
Asian population
Median age of all persons in the county
Labor force
Average annual unemployment rate
County per capita income
Poverty - families with related
children under age 18
Poverty - families with female
householder with own children
under age 18, no husband present
Poverty - individuals
Persons over age 25 with a
high school diploma
Percent of persons over age 25 with
high school diploma
Persons over age 25 with a
college degree
Percent over age 25 with at least a
Bachelor’s degree
Households - family household with
own children under age 18
Households - married couple family with
own children under age 18
Households - female householder,
with own children under age 18,
no husband present
County housing units
Owner-occupied housing units
1990
2000
% Change
68,078
873
48,865
9,527
69,451
1,857
44,261
9,142
2.0
112.7
-9.4
-4.0
9,049
233
34.3
29,456
6.3%
13,164
10,331
404
37.0
30,869
4.0%
20,222
14.2
73.4
8.0
4.8
---53.6
2,362
1,945
-17.7
1,169
14,258
1,102
11,846
-5.7
-16.9
13,452
14,304
6.3
68.3%
6,135
14.1%
75.1%
10.0
6,895
12.4
15.4%
9.2
8,822
8,422
-4.5
6,572
5,823
-11.4
1,882
28,882
17,599
2,073
29,575
18,410
10.1
2.4
4.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census 2000
17
Notes
18
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or
status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is
not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Samuel E. Curl, Director of Oklahoma
Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This
publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Dean
of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared
and distributed at a cost of $215.00 for 215 copies.
19
Muskogee County Extension Office
1440 South Cherokee
Muskogee, OK 74403-7017
Phone: 918-687-2458
Fax: 918-687-2481
Division of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Oklahoma State University
139 Agricultural Hall
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-6019
Phone: 405-744-5398
Fax: 405-744-5339
www.dasnr.okstate.edu/oces/