Police Services - History

Stilwell City Council members voted to apply for a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant to build a police department on South Second Street, just east of the Post Office.

Following a public hearing, the council agreed to apply for the grant, which has an application deadline of March 31.

City Clerk Shelldon Miggletto said the process has a fairly quick turn around with awards being announced the end of May. The money, plus a United States Department of Agriculture Community Facilities loan of up to $400,000 would be used to build a new police station. The police station is currently in an old WPA building built in the 1930s.

Miggletto said the city could apply for a 40-year loan at 3 percent of $400,000 that would have payments of $1,200 a month.

Scenes from the grand opening of the Stilwell Oklahoma police headquarters

Photos: Adair County Historical and Genealogical Association

“That is financially feasible,” said Miggletto, who noted the city has a steady stream of money coming from the city taxes that go to the Capital Improvement fund.

“I like the idea of a loan,” said Councilman Jim Spray. “Things are kind of shaky right now, but if better times come we can pay it off.”

Miggletto noted there would be no pre-payment penalty on the loan.

The city already owns plans for the police department that would be 50 feet long by 50 feet wide and include a dispatch area, offices, a kitchen, break room and court room.

No jail facilities will be constructed, Police Chief Dan Abbott said. The front of the building would face west with parallel parking in front. The city also owns the property on which the police station would be built.

Previous bids on a new police station ranged from $650,000 to $850,000, which council members said was too high. Miggletto said in stead of a red iron building he would recommend using steel 2x4’s which would substantially lower the cost of construction. “There may be some way to build using local talent to bring the price down,” said councilman John Sharp. Ideas also thrown out were letting the street department and utility department contribute to the construction.