MUSCOGEE RESERVATION – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tax Commission has opened new locations in Coweta, Jenks, and Okemah to expand services to those who live outside of reservation boundaries. The Okmulgee office will serve, as the central location and the Southern Regional Office in Wetumka will operate the same with services available only on Tuesdays Thursdays.
It has been highly requested among citizens for the tax commission to offer an expansion of tag eligibility and even more locations. The department would receive multiple calls daily for this request specifically. Tax Commissioner Mary Mashunkashay and her staff were determined to make it happen, even after the Council denied the first proposed legislation with a vote of one to 14 during the November Full Council session.
The team worked diligently over the course of five months drafting legislation to redefine motor vehicles and tag eligibility for the newly formed motor vehicle department and presented it to Council at the following April Full Council session where it was adopted to the MCN Code with a vote of 15-0.
“We wanted to be able to service citizens better and more efficiently,” Mashunkashay said.
Now that the tax commission has extended license plate eligibility to citizens living within the state of OK, Mashunkashay said there was a need to expand services to different areas. As the commission moves forward, she said there is a lot of “potential in taxation” in different sectors for the next fiscal year.
“We are looking at beginning our collections on our oil and gas tax, which we have an oil and gas code,” she said.
There have been several additions to services including a new tag option, handicap plaquers, and opportunities to tag more vehicle types.
She projects the expansion of services will increase the revenue from the current $3 million up to $6 million during the period of a fiscal year, which will go back into the tribe.
“We do not have a compact and we do not need a compact,” she said. “All of the money that’s generated goes right back to the tribe to serve our citizens.”
The Okemah office is an accessible location right off of I-40, allowing those coming from the OKC area a straight shot down the interstate.
The Coweta location is located in a shopping center that lays on trust property, which Mashunkashay says is beneficial for the department.
In Jenks, the office is located on the Riverwalk, which was purchased by the MCN.
According to Mashunksahy, she believes the Jenks location will be utilized most by the citizens.
“This one of the goals of the tax commission,” she said.
All locations will be open as of September 1. For more information visit https://www.muscogeenation.com/tax-commission/ or contact via phone or email at 918-549-2930 or cntags@mcntax.com
Okmulgee – 3000 Warrior Rd
Okemah – 202 W Atlanta Unit B
Coweta – Oak Grove Center 13791 OK-51
Jenks – 1000 Riverwalk
Wetumka – 333 S Washita, Room 114
