By Burt Mummolo, FOX23 News
MUSKOGEE, Okla. — “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and deserves more than business as usual,” said Muskogee Mayor Ryan Lowe.
It was standing room only at the board meeting of the City of Muskogee Foundation, where Mayor Lowe was making his pitch for a grant that would pay off the city’s $29 million legal judgement.
“That settlement represents nearly $800 for every man, woman and child in Muskogee,” he said.
Without the intervention residents are most likely facing either a massive property tax increase or an increase in the sales tax.
When it came time to vote, it was a landside. Ten no votes, just three yeses.
“I’m disappointed, I’m frustrated, I’m baffled,” said Mayor Lowe.
To begin with says the mayor, the foundation could handle the ask.
“We’re asking for only half of its annual return on investment, we’re not asking to touch the principal, not one dollar of the original investment,” he said.
“What is important to us is that we serve the community today and for generations to come,” said Kari Blakley, Executive Director of the City of Muskogee Foundation.
That message of having enough money for the long haul was stressed by Ms. Blakley.
“It’s important and feel it is our responsibility to steward those resources carefully so they can continue supporting essential services, local non-profits and community priorities over the long term,” she said.
“I’m on this board, it made $19 million in interest last year,” said Mayor Lowe.
Adding to the controversy, before the no vote, the board approved a $10 million request on another agenda item which will help the city offset expenses.
“We received the request today and it was approved. I think that’s the focus,” said Blakley.
“Well the focus is that you guys said yes to a part of it but no to the $30 million. And folks are going to say well how come they’re willing to help out a little bit and not the whole amount?” asked Mummolo.
“Right, and then I would defer to my answer that we just went through,” said Blakley.
“Even with that proposal it still places a huge burden on the taxpayer,” said Lowe.
A burden that the city must now figure out how to handle after the mayor’s Hail Mary pass was batted down in the endzone.
“Is this board out of touch with the economic reality of most of the folks in Muskogee?” asked Mummolo. “Absolutely. Half of this board doesn’t even live in our community,” said Lowe.
