During a recent city council meeting, concerns regarding employee compensation and law enforcement staffing shortages were brought to the forefront by representatives from local employee unions.

Dustin Williams, president of the American Society of Municipal Employees (ASME), addressed the council regarding a proposed 3% raise for non-uniformed city employees. Williams expressed disappointment, stating that the raise, funded by a dedicated sales tax, was essentially a reallocation of existing funds rather than a true increase in wages. He likened the situation to withdrawing money from a bank and presenting it as a raise, emphasizing that employees feel the funds rightfully belong to them regardless of how they are distributed.

Following Williams, Chris Dean, representing the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 95, highlighted a critical staffing crisis within the Muskogee Police Department. Dean reported that the department is currently seven officers below its budgeted staffing level, with projections indicating that this number could rise to twelve by mid-next year. He attributed the staffing shortages to a combination of retirements, resignations, and a lack of applicants, noting that recent departures included five officers who left for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol due to better financial opportunities.

Dean stressed the implications of these shortages, including increased workloads for remaining officers, potential burnout, and a heightened risk of crime due to reduced patrols. He called for a collaborative effort between the police union, the department, and the city to address retention and recruitment challenges, urging the council to consider innovative solutions to bolster staffing levels.

The discussions underscored the pressing need for the city to reassess its approach to employee compensation and public safety staffing, as both issues directly impact the well-being of city employees and the safety of the community.