Commissioners Approve Electric Rate Changes

Electric rates in Sallisaw will soon be increasing, according to a resolution unanimously passed Monday by the City Commissioners.

City Manager Keith Skelton said the changes would appear on electric bills coming due in December. “We hate to raise rates, but this change will help finance capital needs for the future,” Skelton said.

The commissioners also approved a plan to ask the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC) to consider the City of Sallisaw for the OAC’s Terminal Grant Program. The move would put Sallisaw on the list of airports that will receive future funding for the Sallisaw Municipal Airport. The funding is expected to arrive in the city’s coffers in 2026. The city’s goal, if it receives the funding, is to build a new terminal or expand the current one.

The airport is also in need of some repairs after it was struck by lightning last week, city staff members said. Crews are waiting on new equipment to arrive, possibly in the next couple of weeks.

Amy Edwards with Sallisaw NOW Coalition was at the meeting, where she discussed the coalition’s efforts to provide opioid prevention, training and recovery partnership opportunities for rural Sequoyah County fire departments between the city and Sallisaw NOW. Fire departments on the list include the McKey Rural Fire Department, Central Fire Department, Brushy Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, Sallisaw Fire Department, Gore Fire Department, Maple Rural Fire Department, Liberty Volunteer Fire Department, Lee Creek Fire Department, Gans Fire Department, West Tenkiller Fire Department and the Muldrow Fire Department. Funding for the program is a four-year grant that will allow Sallisaw NOW to give each participating department $3,000 per month to enhance their opioid training. Each department will receive “as much Narcan as they need,” Edwards said.

“We’re really excited to work with all of them,” she said, noting that other area fire departments can join as well.

Skelton also showed the commissioners the final design of the new City of Sallisaw City Commissioners’ meeting facility.

The commissioners also approved the mayor’s reappointment of Joe Velasquez to the Sallisaw Planning Commission for a three-year term ending Sept. 30, 2023. They also approved the mayor’s appointments of Crystal Sides to the Sallisaw Planning Commission through Sept. 30, 2023, and Cheryl Melton to the Sallisaw Library Board for a three-year term ending Sept. 30, 2023.

Laura Brown, KXMX Staff Writer

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com