The First 100 Days: Progress Report from the Office of the Mayor
7/25/2025
About the Mayor
- Roger Merrill, Oklahoma’s first Libertarian Mayor is no extremist—he’s a public servant with fiscally conservative values and an unwavering focus on Beggs' well-being.
- His commitments: saving money, securing funding, cutting waste, and operating transparently.
- He's met with state and tribal leaders including Rep. Scott Fettgatter, Rep. Chris Banning, Sen. Bryan Logan, and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell.
- Citizens are encouraged to visit City Hall, engage in discussions, and be part of the future of Beggs.
The First 100 Days: Progress Report from the Office of the Mayor
The first 100 days of a representative’s term is traditionally seen as a benchmark for evaluating the early effectiveness of their priorities, policies, and procedures. This tradition began with Franklin D. Roosevelt and remains a powerful indicator of leadership today.
The City of Beggs is proud to highlight the achievements, changes, and ongoing efforts led by our Mayor—Oklahoma’s first elected Libertarian municipal leader—during this milestone period.
Fresh Water Initiatives
- Water quality and delivery have been front and center.
- Outages have been minimal thanks to proactive facility monitoring and response.
- Beggs entered a partnership with the Muscogee Creek Nation to fully renovate the Pump House—a critical step toward improving reliability.
- Phase Two of the 8” cast iron pipe replacement from the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to the Pump House is on the horizon.
Wastewater Recovery
- Our Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), inoperative since the 2019 flood, is finally on track to restart.
- The Mayor swiftly assembled a recovery team, worked with engineers, and secured funding.
- Target: partial operation within 90 days; full functionality by August 2026.
Funding Advocacy
- Though Beggs faces funding limitations, the Mayor is aggressively pursuing grants and partnerships.
- He maintains direct contact with Oklahoma Rural Water Association (ORWA), Eastern Oklahoma District Development (EODD), and Oklahoma Municipal League (OML).
- On August 6th, he’ll attend the FACT meeting to advocate for major water and wastewater funding.
Road Improvements
- A new agreement with Okmulgee County District 1 means Beggs buys materials, while the County maintains roads.
- Third Street has been resurfaced and focus has shifted toward pothole remediation.
- The goal is long-term road upgrades while seeking funding for broader renovations.
Police Department Transformation
- For the first time ever: 24/7 police coverage in Beggs!
- The department now operates with a full roster and a newly acquired cruiser.
- A Mutual Aid agreement with Beggs Public Schools Campus Police was signed within week one.
- Despite expanded coverage, the department is saving money compared to previous years.
Budget Revitalization
- A deep-dive into previous budgets, spending, and asset inventory is shaping the new financial plan.
- Changes have already produced savings—like $1,000 per month from phone system updates.
- Cost-cutting and accountability remain guiding principles.
Network & System Overhaul
- City Hall is undergoing a tech revolution: updated security systems, an internal network, and a central server.
- Police can now monitor public property with more control and accuracy.
- A modern phone and internet system improves internal communication and boosts transparency.
- Citizens will soon be able to pay bills online and access public records via a new terminal in the council room.
- Ongoing website upgrades ensure timely information access.
Infrastructure & Future Projects
- Known priorities include WTP upgrades, Pump House renovation, and street improvements.
- Emerging needs: clay pipe sewer replacements, lift station updates, and pipe material abatement.
- A critical priority is the aging Water Tower—graded C- in its last inspection, yet untouched and unfunded. It will be a key focus at the August FACT meeting.
- Total estimated improvement needs: $12 million. The work has already begun
Citizens are encouraged to visit City Hall, engage in discussions, and be part of the future of Beggs.
Come back often for updates!