Listening Session Report

http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/oces/ocls/

Hughes County

November 18, 2002

The mission of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is to disseminate information to the people of Oklahoma and encourage the adoption of research-based knowledge relating to agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and community development.

Twelve (12) individuals interested in a better future

for themselves, their families, and their communities participated in the Hughes County Listening Session. The Listening Session was an effort to get a broad base of citizen input to identify local issues so a plan can be developed to create a better economic, environmental, and social situation for Hughes County. Participants from across the county provided input and identified, discussed, and defined their community’s needs and opportunities while building on the assets that presently exist.

The purpose of this report is to share publicly the process and the information that was collected from the Hughes County Listening Session. The report lists the needs and concerns of the county as identified during the open forum process. This report also will be used as a starting point for the upcoming Focus Forum, in which an assembled group of stakeholders will define, discuss, and begin to address the needs and concerns identified in the Listening Session. Many of the needs and concerns of Oklahoma can be addressed through partnerships with other groups and organizations. The report can be found on the Oklahoma Community Listening Session website at http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/oces/ocls/.

The Listening Session revolved around a single, key question: “Considering the next 3 to 5 years, what are the critical issues in your community and in Oklahoma that need to be addressed to realize a positive future for you, your family, and your community?” The needs and issues identified by participants reflect several broad areas of interest. Available data do not show that any one area is more significant than another, but they do show that all these issues are vitally important to the people of Hughes County.

Hughes County Listening Session

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”Considering the next 3 to 5 years, what are the critical issues in your community and in Oklahoma that need to be addressed to realize a positive future for you, your family, and your community?

The Listening Session Process

Listening Session participants were divided into small groups. Small group participants considered the guiding question (see below) and suggested issues that they felt were of most importance to their families and community. With the assistance of a group facilitator, each small group discussed its chosen issues, combined similar issues, and then voted to determine its top five issues. Following the small group sessions, participants came together in a large group setting to discuss the results of the small group sessions. They combined similar and overlapping issues and voted to determine the top issues for the county.

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The following issues were discussed in one or more of the small group sessions.

• Provide activities for youth o Bowling alley o Arcade o Pool hall with no alcohol served

• Reduce unemployment countywide o Provide more opportunity for youth – reduce vandalism and delinquency

• Instill pride in your community o Build rapport among communities in the county o Improve parental involvement in school/community

• Reduce drug abuse among all ages, races, and genders

• Education o Earmark funding o Teachers’ salaries

• Provide quality health care that is affordable

• Unemployment o Create new jobs for youth

• Leadership in all areas o Change of attitudes o Get involved o Look for role models

• More youth programs

• Overhaul judicial system o Punishment for juveniles

Small Group Discussions

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Large Group Discussion

The large group addressed the ideas that were generated during the small group discussions. Those ideas were then used as the basis for defining the six issues of most importance to Hughes County.

Ø Reduce unemployment countywide • Provide more opportunity for youth – reduce vandalism and delinquency • Create new jobs • Create jobs for youth

Ø Reduce drug abuse among all ages, races, and genders

Ø Improve education • Earmark funding • Teachers’ salaries

Ø Provide affordable quality health care

Ø Overhaul judicial system • Punishment for juveniles

Ø Leadership in all areas • Change of attitudes • Get involved • Look for role models

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Large Group Discussion

In the months following the Listening Session, Hughes County Extension Educators will invite community leaders and representatives from organizations and agencies to a Focus Forum to consider what the people are saying and to devise action plans for Hughes County. As Extension begins its long-range strategic planning process, the involvement of citizens in identifying needs and opportunities in the county and community will be extremely valuable. Through the upcom-ing Focus Forums, education and service providers will learn more about community concerns while forging new partnerships with other groups to address identified issues.

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1 County statistics from Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Information Management, May 2000

The intent of these data is to provide local perspective and context for discussion. Local circumstances can change the demographic and economic data; the following is the most up-to-date information that is currently available.1

u HistoryLocated in southeastern Oklahoma, Hughes County was part of Indian Territory before statehood. It was named for W. C. Hughes, a member of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. Holdenville is the county seat. In 1836 the first Seminoles in Indian Territory settled in present-day Hughes County. The Creek Nation was also present in the area.

Facts About Hughes County

Hughes County• Located in the

southeastern region• County population is 14,154• Labor force within

30 miles is 85,400

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u Industry According to the 1997 Census of Agriculture, Hughes County had 897

farms (averaging 396 acres). Average gate receipts were $45,177 in 1997, and the county had 11 farms with gate receipts in excess of $500,000. Agricultural production was divided between livestock (90 percent) and crops (10 percent). Contrasted with the 1992 Census of Agriculture, average gate receipts in 1997 increased 123 percent, from $20,285 to $45,177; the average farm size decreased 12 percent.

u Profile Hughes County is located in southeastern Oklahoma. The county is

comprised of 814 square miles of rolling hills. The average annual rainfall is 57 inches. Average temperatures range from 41.4 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in July.

According to the 2000 census, the county seat, Holdenville, had a population of 4,732 residents. The city is located 75 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.

u Households Hughes County had 5,319 households in 2000. Statistics regarding

those households are included in the table on the final page of this report.

u Population Characteristics The population density of the county is 16.1 persons per square mile.

The median age of the population is 37.5 years.

Facts About Hughes County

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Facts About Hughes County

2000 Percent County population 14,154 100 Male population 7,278 51.4 Female population 6,876 48.6 Under 5 years 824 5.8 5 to 9 years 915 6.5 10 to 14 years 911 6.4 15 to 19 years 965 6.8 20 to 24 years 791 5.6 25 to 34 years 1,785 12.6 35 to 44 years 2,058 14.5 45 to 54 years 1,855 13.1 55 to 59 years 770 5.4 60 to 64 years 654 4.6 65 to 74 years 1,315 9.3 75 to 84 years 883 6.2 85 years and over 428 3.0Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census 2000

u County Population - 2000

u Poverty Poverty in Hughes County decreased by 17.4 percent between 1990

and 2000. In 1990 there were 3,415 individuals living below the poverty level. This number decreased to 2,822 by 2000. The poverty level for family households with related children under 18 years of age decreased 21.9 percent between 1990 and 2000. In 1990 there were 543 such families, but by 2000 the number had declined to 424 families. Poverty-level households headed by women having no husband present and with children under 18 years of age numbered 238 in 1990. By 2000 such households had declined to 181, a decrease of 23.9 percent.

u Labor Force The Hughes County labor force numbered 6,075 in 2000, with 57

percent of males and 43.5 percent of females employed. The county recorded an average annual unemployment rate of 5.5 percent in 2000. The per capita personal income for the county in 2000 was $16,347.

u Tourism and Points of Interest The major waterways in Hughes County are the North Canadian,

Little, and Canadian rivers. Holdenville and Wetumka lakes provide many water recreation opportunities for the county.

The Hughes County Historical Society in Holdenville preserves the history of the county. The Holdenville Historical Museum and the State Fish Hatchery, near Holdenville, are open by appointment. Annual events of interest include the IPRA Rodeo in Holdenville and Suckers Days in Wetumka.

u Housing The county has 6,237 housing units, and 85.3

percent of these are occupied by owners. Statewide, 68.4 percent of housing units are occupied by owners. The median owner-occupied home value in the county is $32,600. Statewide, the median owner-occupied home value is $70,700. The median housing rental contract is $309 per month in Hughes County. Statewide, the median housing rental contract is $456 per month.

u Tax Structure The average mill levy for ad valorem taxes in Hughes County is

81.20 mills. It generated $5,299,872 in 2001-2002. Also, Hughes

Owner-occupied home value

StateAverage$70,700

HughesCounty$32,600

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Facts About Hughes County

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Facts About Hughes County County received $2,058,433 from the state for the county’s proceeds

from the gas, diesel, and special fuel tax, as well as from the gross production tax and motor vehicle collections.

Hughes County collects sales tax at two levels: state and local. There is no county sales tax. The state sales tax rate is 4.5 percent. The local sales tax rate varies from city to city, as shown below.

City Sales Tax Rate Revenue (%) ($)

Atwood 2.00 7,141

Calvin 3.00 37,034

Dustin 4.00 54,986

Gerty 2.00 3,296

Holdenville 4.00 1,612,710

Stuart 2.00 25,066

Wetumka 4.00 288,038

Sales Tax Rates and Revenue, 2001-2002

Source: OTC State Payments to Local Governments FY 2001-2002 and “Oklahoma Ad Valorem Mill Levies, Fiscal Year 2002,” by Notie H. Lansford, Jr., and Dondee Payne, Department of Agricultural Economics, July 2002, AE 02136

u Education The county is home to the Wes Watkins Technology Center. There

are 70.8 percent of Hughes County residents over 25 years of age who are high school graduates, compared to 74.6 percent statewide. College graduates 25 years and older number 9.7 percent, compared to 17.8 percent statewide.

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Facts About Hughes County

u Primary Employers in the Area Major Employers Products/ Number City/ Services Employed Town

Davis Correctional Center correctional facility 210 HoldenvilleTyson Foods hog production 165 HoldenvilleHoldenville Public Schools education services 128 HoldenvilleWetumka General Hospital medical services 100 WetumkaHoldenville General Hospital medical services 80 HoldenvilleWes Watkins Technology Center education services 75 HoldenvilleHughes County government services 70 HoldenvilleAqua Farms Catfish processed catfish 55 HoldenvilleChaffin Machine Works machinery 45 HoldenvilleTransoak Pipeline corporate office 45 HoldenvilleWetumka Public Schools education services 30 WetumkaCity of Wetumka government services 25 WetumkaDepartment of Human Services government services 25 HoldenvilleMcDonald’s restaurant 25 HoldenvilleCircle C oil field supplies 20 Wetumka

Source: Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Information Management, May 2000

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Facts About Hughes County

1990 2000 % ChangeCounty population 13,023 14,154 8.7Hispanic/Latino population 136 353 159.6White population 10,354 10,300 -0.5Black or African American population 384 634 65.1American Indian and Alaska Native population 2,232 2,290 2.6Asian population 13 30 130.8Median age of all persons in the county 40.48 39.3 -2.9Labor force 5,275 6,075 15.2Average annual unemployment rate 10.38% 5.53% ----County per capita income 11,409 16,347 43.3Poverty - families with related children under age 18 543 424 -21.9Poverty - families with female householder with own children under age 18, no husband present 238 181 -23.9Poverty - individuals 3,415 2,822 -17.4Persons over age 25 with a high school diploma 2,963 3,819 28.9Percent of persons over age 25 with high school diploma 58.7% 70.8% 20.6Persons over age 25 with a college degree 692 943 36.3Percent over age 25 with at least a Bachelor’s degree 7.7% 9.7% 26.0Households - family household with own children under age 18 1,536 1,534 -0.1Households - married couple family with own children under age 18 1,138 1,104 -3.0Households - female householder, with own children under age 18, no husband present 317 313 -1.3County housing units 6,021 6,237 3.6Owner-occupied housing units 4,030 4,031 0.0

u County Demographics – 1990 vs. 2000

Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, Census 2000

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Samuel E. Curl, Director of Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has been prepared and distributed at a cost of $125.00 for 125 copies.

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Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension ServiceOklahoma State University

139 Agricultural HallStillwater, Oklahoma 74078-6019

Phone: 405-744-5398 Fax: 405-744-5339

www.dasnr.okstate.edu/oces/

Hughes County Extension Office200 North Broadway, Suite 2Holdenville, Ok 74848-3400

Phone: 405-379-5470Fax: 405-379-9380