With a standing-room only crowd and almost two hours of discussion, the Eufaula City Council heard extensive public input Monday night on a proposal tied to the city’s comprehensive plan that would allow staff to explore possible future growth options involving the Longtown and Texanna Road areas.
Mayor James Hickman opened the discussion by emphasizing that the item before the council was not a vote to annex, but rather a step tied to the city’s ongoing comprehensive planning process. He explained that the city has been working through a comprehensive plan aimed at evaluating infrastructure, zoning, and long-term growth.
“This is not a vote to annex. The city is simply researching whether annexation is even financially feasible. We do not know the answer yet. That is exactly why we are studying it, to be responsible and informed for everyone involved.
My heart behind this is the people. I love this town. This is where I live, raise my fam- ily, pastor, and operate my business. My goal as mayor is and will always be the residents of Eufaula, now and for the future,” Hickman said.
Hickman said the purpose of the item was to allow city staff to begin researching what future growth options might look like, what benefits could exist, and whether such options are even feasible. He stressed that no decisions had been made and that gathering information was the first step.
Mayor HIckman said the discussion was about planning for the next 25 to 50 years and ensuring opportunities exist for future generations. He also encouraged residents to participate in the comprehensive plan survey and future public engagement efforts, stating that the process should involve listening sessions and town hall meetings in all affected areas.
“This is about exploration and information,” Hickman said.
“The issue impacts real people and real communities.”
Following the mayor’s opening comments, members of the public were invited to speak for up to five minutes each.
Several speakers from the Longtown and Texanna areas expressed concern that the item was perceived by residents as a direct step toward annexation. Speakers emphasized the importance of transparency, public engagement, and ensuring that annexation is not treated as a predetermined outcome.
Jeremy Jones, a business owner and property owner in the Longtown area, said the process must remain neutral and include alternatives such as interlocal agreements. He stressed that growth does not require absorption and that cooperation does not require control.
Many other residents echoed concerns about potential loss of independence, increased regulations, and higher taxes, while acknowledging the value of gathering information if done openly and collaboratively. Several speakers said they supported studies and discussions but opposed annexation without the consent of affected residents.
City officials clarified that the council must formally direct staff before any feasibility work or public meetings can occur, stating that the council’s vote was required to begin the process, not to determine an outcome.
In November, a new Oklahoma law was passed, which made annexation laws more stringent. It states that annexation cannot occur without meeting strict consent requirements from property owners in the area proposed for annexation. State statute requires written consent from owners of a majority of the land area, measured by acreage, within the territory being considered.
This ensures cities and towns cannot expand their boundaries without proper consent and accountability In cases involving larger areas, the threshold increases to 65 percent of the acreage owned, rather than a simple majority. Annexation is not decided by a public election but through landowner consent, making property ownership—not residency alone—the determining factor. City officials emphasized that these requirements are set by state law and would apply to any future annexation proposal, should one ever be considered.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the council considered a motion directing the city manager to seek consultant proposals limited solely to facilitating public engagement, including listening sessions and town hall meetings. Once obtained, those proposals must then be brought back at a future council meeting for the council to decide to engage in those services. It is anticipated that it will be considered at the next regular meeting scheduled for February 2 at 5:30pm. If that item advances, listening sessions and town halls would be held prior to any formal feasibility.
The motion passed, with Councilman Barton abstaining from the vote. All other council members voted in favor.
City officials reiterated that the action taken Monday night does not initiate annexation and that any future decisions would involve additional study and public input.
“I appreciate the conversations that have already started. Honest questions and thoughtful discussion about the future are a good thing, and I believe that kind of dialogue helps us make better decisions as a community,” Mayor Hickman said. ily, pastor, and operate my business. My goal as mayor is and will always be the residents of Eufaula, now and for the future,” Hickman said.
Hickman said the purpose of the item was to allow city staff to begin researching what future growth options might look like, what benefits could exist, and whether such options are even feasible. He stressed that no decisions had been made and that gathering information was the first step.
Mayor Hickman said the discussion was about planning for the next 25 to 50 years and ensuring opportunities exist for future generations. He also encouraged residents to participate in the comprehensive plan survey and future public engagement efforts, stating that the process should involve listening sessions and town hall meetings in all affected areas.
“This is about exploration and information,” Hickman said.
“The issue impacts real people and real communities.”
Following the mayor’s opening comments, members of the public were invited to speak for up to five minutes each.
Several speakers from the Longtown and Texanna areas expressed concern that the item was perceived by residents as a direct step toward annexation. Speakers emphasized the importance of transparency, public engagement, and ensuring that annexation is not treated as a predetermined outcome.
Jeremy Jones, a business owner and property owner in the Longtown area, said the process must remain neutral and include alternatives such as interlocal agreements. He stressed that growth does not require absorption and that cooperation does not require control.
Many other residents echoed concerns about potential loss of independence, increased regulations, and higher taxes, while acknowledging the value of gathering information if done openly and collaboratively. Several speakers said they supported studies and discussions but opposed annexation without the consent of affected residents.
City officials clarified that the council must formally direct staff before any feasibility work or public meetings can occur, stating that the council’s vote was required to begin the process, not to determine an outcome.
At the conclusion of the discussion, the council considered a motion directing the city manager to seek consultant proposals limited solely to facilitating public engagement, including listening sessions and town hall meetings, with any proposal to be returned to the council for further consideration before additional research is conducted.
In November, a new Oklahoma law was passed, which made annexation laws more stringent. It states that annexation cannot occur without meeting strict consent requirements from property owners in the area proposed for annexation. State statute requires written consent from owners of a majority of the land area, measured by acreage, within the territory being considered.
This ensures cities and towns cannot expand their boundaries without proper consent and accountability In cases involving larger areas, the threshold increases to protect property owners rights, requiring the written consent of the owners of at least sixty-five percent (65%) of the acres to be annexed and twentyfive percent (25%) of the population to be annexed.
The motion passed, with Councilman Barton abstaining from the vote. All other council members voted in favor.
City officials reiterated that the action taken Monday night does not initiate annexation and that any future decisions would involve additional study and public input.
“I appreciate the conversations that have already started. Honest questions and thoughtful discussion about the future are a good thing, and I believe that kind of dialogue helps us make better decisions as a community,” Mayor Hickman said.
