EDITORIAL: THUMBS UP: Tax statements go out early this year

Oct. 19—THUMBS UP: Muskogee County staff and officials should be commended for getting county tax statements out early this year.

The process to get the tax statements in the mail was completed by Oct. 10 — well before the statutory deadline of Nov. 1.

There was a time when the tax statements were going out late and taxpayers voiced disapproval. The process has been improving since 2020.

The county has successfully met statutory deadlines each year since then, Muskogee County Assessor Ron Dean said.

Those days are behind us now and the county should be applauded for getting the statements out early.

Taxpayers will be able to plan better how and when to make payments. Tax payments will come in earlier and that means ad valorem tax payments will be sent earlier to tax stakeholders such as school districts.

----THUMBS UP: The Bedouin Shrine for fundraising efforts to help offset the cost of transporting children to hospitals.

The Shrine is holding its annual circus this weekend at the Muskogee Civic Center. A few thousand free tickets were distributed to children 16 and younger.

Shriners take children in need of care to hospitals in Shreveport, St. Louis, and Galveston.

Funds raised help keep the Temple open so Shriners can continue to do their good work helping children get better.

If you have an opportunity, please consider donating to the Shrine or visiting the circus this week.

You will be helping area children to live a happier, healthier life.