10/26/2026
🚒 IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OAK GROVE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT RESIDENTS 🚒
🗳️ EARLY VOTING BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28TH!
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, eligible voters residing within the area annexed into Oak Grove Fire Protection District in March 2025 will have an important decision to make regarding their fire protection assessment.
We understand there are questions about what this vote means, why it is necessary, how it could affect property owners, and what it means for the future of fire protection services in our community.
We want you to have the facts and an opportunity to ask questions before Election Day.
⚠️ IMPORTANT — WHO WILL BE VOTING ON THIS ISSUE?
ONLY registered voters residing within the area annexed into Oak Grove Fire Protection District in March 2025 will be eligible to vote on this specific ballot question.
✅ Residents in the 2025 annexed area: This ballot question concerns your fire protection assessment and will appear on the ballots of eligible voters residing in that area.
✅ Residents NORTH of East 51st Street South: You do NOT need to take any action regarding this proposal. This question will NOT appear on your ballot, and your current fire protection assessment rate will remain unchanged.
This clarification applies only to the Oak Grove Fire Protection District assessment question. It does not affect your eligibility to vote in any other elections or ballot questions.
📋 WHAT IS ON THE BALLOT?
The proposal would change the fire protection assessment in the area annexed in March 2025 from 7 mills to 10 mills, bringing it to the same rate currently paid by property owners in the original district.
✅ This is an increase of 3 mills, NOT an additional 10 mills.
✅ Property owners in the original district are already assessed at 10 mills and would not see a rate change from this proposal.
Attached is a two-page informational flyer answering several important questions:
• Why this issue is on the ballot
• What the proposed change could cost property owners
• Plans for the future Station 3
• Estimated construction costs and funding
• Potential impacts on emergency response times
• What approval or rejection could mean for the district
🌐 VISIT OUR NEWLY UPDATED WEBSITE!
We have recently made significant updates to the Oak Grove Fire Protection District website!
👉 www.oakgrovefire.org
Our website contains a wealth of useful information for district residents, including information about our department, emergency services, district operations, ongoing projects, and future plans.
You can also DOWNLOAD our November 3rd Assessment Equalization informational flyer directly from the website!
We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to explore the website, review the information, and share these resources with neighbors who may have questions.
Our goal is to make information about your fire district more accessible, transparent, and easier to understand.
📢 PUBLIC QUESTION & ANSWER SESSIONS
I will personally be available to meet with Oak Grove Fire Protection District residents on TWO EVENINGS this week to answer questions and discuss the information presented in the flyer.
📅 Thursday, October 29th
📅 Friday, October 30th
🕕 6:00 PM BOTH EVENINGS
📍 Emerald Falls Event Center
30510 E 63rd Street South
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
These sessions are intended specifically for residents of the Oak Grove Fire Protection District.
My goal is to provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions, receive clarification, and have an open conversation about the ballot proposal and the future of our fire district.
Whether you live in the original district or the newly annexed area, you are welcome to attend and ask questions about your fire department.
📞 CAN'T ATTEND? YOU CAN CALL ME DIRECTLY!
If you have questions but cannot attend either meeting, you are welcome to contact my office.
☎️ 918-265-1779
If I am unavailable, please leave a voicemail with your name and phone number, and I will return your call as soon as possible.
🗳️ IMPORTANT VOTING DATES
The following voting dates apply to eligible voters in the 2025 annexed area who will be voting on the Oak Grove Fire Protection District assessment question.
EARLY VOTING:
📅 Wednesday, October 28th – Friday, October 30th
⏰ 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📅 Saturday, October 31st
⏰ 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
ELECTION DAY:
📅 Tuesday, November 3rd
⏰ 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
🚒 A MESSAGE TO OUR RESIDENTS
Our fire district has experienced significant growth and change over the past several years.
Since annexation, we have:
✅ Expanded our emergency response coverage to approximately 70 square miles.
✅ Established 24/7 paid firefighter staffing.
✅ Increased our full-time staffing to seven firefighters, supported by our dedicated volunteers.
✅ Added a dedicated incident command response vehicle.
✅ Purchased property for our future Station 3 and advanced architectural planning.
✅ Continued investing in emergency equipment, including a new Ford F-550 rescue truck currently in production.
As your Fire Chief, I believe it is important that our residents have access to clear, accurate information about the decisions affecting their fire protection services.
Our responsibility is not only to respond when emergencies occur, but also to plan for the future, communicate openly, and be accountable to the people we serve.
Whether you have questions about the assessment, Station 3, our current operations, or our future plans, I welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
Regardless of how you choose to vote, I encourage every eligible voter in the 2025 annexed area to review the information, ask questions, and make an informed decision on November 3rd.
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO REVIEW THE ATTACHED FLYER!
You can also download a copy and find additional information on our website:
🌐 www.oakgrovefire.org
Thank you for your continued involvement in your fire district and for taking the time to stay informed.
Chief Riley Shepherd
🚒 Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future.
