logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Council reluctantly supports 2.9 percent utility rate hike
A: Main, news
May 7, 2025
Council reluctantly supports 2.9 percent utility rate hike
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

Utility rates for the City of Eufaula will increase 2.9 percent effective July 1.

The City Council approved the increase following a discussion at Monday’s monthly council meeting. Vice Mayor Tisha Morgan was the only “no” vote.

None of the council members liked having to increase the rates, especially rates have been increasing incremen- tally sine 2018 to pay for the city’s new water and sewer systems.

Those systems have been paid for, however Interim City Manager Andrea Weckmuel-ler Berhinger told the council that continued price increases are affecting the budget.

Inflation, affecting consumer prices across the board, is continuing to erode the gains made by the earlier price hikes.

To continue to maintain the level of service that has been achieved, she said it is necessary to increase rates.

“Due to the costs incurred for all items that support capital investments and maintenance activities related to water production and distribution as well as sewer collection and treatment, staff is also requesting the consideration of a 2.9% increase for water and sewer rates, effective July 1, 2025,” she stated.

The city agreed to the rate hike, but also voted to annually re-examine the rates.

Current water rates are basically $62.50 residential, $64.50 commercial and $72.70 outside the city limits. Those rates will increase on July 1 to $64.31, $66.37 and $74.60, respectively.

Sewer rates are $13 residential and commercial and $21 outside the city. They will increase to $13.38, $13.37 and $21.61, respectively.

Weckmueller-Berhinger said the rate increase is “consistent with the increase in the Consumer Price Index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.”

Street name change

In honor of two of the city’s leading citizens, the late Max Bridges and his late son Randy Bridges, the council approved the renaming of First Street, between Selmon Road and Pine Avenue “Bridges Street” and proclaimed Monday, May 5, “Bridges Family Day in the City of Eufaula.”

The proclamation stated: “Max Bridges opened B & F Furniture in 1968, which remained a cornerstone of Main Street for 60 years. Max, a veteran of the Korean Conflict, started the Eufaula Fireworks Show and hosted a community Thanksgiving Dinner.

Randy continued these traditions, ensuring their lasting impact on the community; “Max and Randy both served as Chamber of Commerce officers and contributed countless hours to the success of this organization. In addition, Randy, as President of the Alumni Association, established the Eufaula Alumni Hall of Fame, which continues to honor outstanding alumni today.”

Xtreme RV Resort Changes

The council approved a request by Xtreme RV Resorts owner Ron Henry to transfer his leases of Katt Daddys Cove (Captain John’s), Eufaula Cove Marina, and Jelly Stone Park to New Haven Holdings, LLC.

While Henry owns the businesses, the property on which the businesses stand is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who leases the land to the City of Eufaula, who then subleases to Henry.

New Haven Holdings, LLC., reached an agreement to buy the three businesses from Henry, pending approval by the Corps and the city.

Other business

– agreed to pay Hance Pyrotechnics of Tahlequah $37,410.04 for the July 4 fireworks celebration. Only Councilman Roger Barton, who recalled spending only $5,000 for the event, voted no.

– agreed to contracts with attorney Greg Stidham, new municipal judge, and Kay Wall, long-time city attorney. Stidham also serves as Assistant District Attorney for McIntosh County.

– rescinded a 2024 ordinance governing Mobile Food Vendors and agreed to draft a new ordinance. Weckmuel-ler Berhinger said the earlier ordinance was poorly written and unenforceable.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, sports
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
A: Main, news
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Eufaula City Council removed former Mayor Todd Warren from the Council Monday night citing excessive absences. City minutes of past meetings presented to the Council showed that Warren missed the ...
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
A: Main, news
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Decades before Oklahoma became a state in 1907; years before the first railroad track was laid in Indian Territory in 1870 and the year the Civil War ended, folks in a remote area of what is now McInt...
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
A: Main, news
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
9/11 – Never Forget
A: Main, news
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
A: Main, news
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
September 10, 2025
Margaret Marie Vickery Floyd has been named the 2025 Eufaula High School Homecoming Parade Marshall. Born in 1927 in Ramona, she is the fourth greatgranddaughter of Chief McIntosh, and the mother of f...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Ironhead Homecoming Friday
September 10, 2025
The Homecoming Weekend kicks off Friday, Sept.12, with a Pep Assembly at the Eufaula High School Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. followed by a parade at 1 p.m. The coronation of Homecoming Royalty takes place...
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
A: Main, news
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and so the new coordinator of Eufaula Memorial Library is taking that opportunity to challenge the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library to a competition to see wh...
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
A: Main, news
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Braddock Dobbs, 31, son of the late Margaret Dobbs, who was on the Eufaula School Board for 15 years, is following in his mother’s footsteps. Monday night, Aug. 8, at its monthly meeting, the Board ap...
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
news
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
September 10, 2025
Former Army Sp4 Timothy Pickering of Eufaula was honored recently at the Driller Stadium in Tulsa as a “Hometown Hero,” a program that honors people who have had a lasting impact on the community. Pic...
news
Flea Pop-Up Market
September 10, 2025
Friday – Sunday, Sept.12-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 210 N. Main St. Booth rental available. Call Mr. Printer at 918-689-5998, Jani at 918-839-8494 or Ricky at 918-424-9961. Prices for all three days: ...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy