The new Tag agency on the tribal complex is expected to be finished between December 2024 and January 2025.
By: LANI HANSEN, Senior Reporter
TAHLEQUAH, Okla- The wait is over for the Keetoowah Tag Agency and Tax Commission as the new office building is being constructed, it is expected to be completed between December 2024 and January 2025.
It has been a couple of years ago, since we announced the groundbreaking of this new facility and to see it happening with four walls and a roof, both Joyce Hawk and Sheila Bluebird express their excitement.
Tribal Secretary and Tax Commission Chairman, Joyce Hawk said the space of the current offices was small for them and so in a meeting with the Tax Commission they sent bids out for the construction of a new building. It was one thing after another when they received a bid and found contractors willing to work with what the Tax Commission wanted in the new building.
“As long as I have been on the Tax Commission, this is all I ever wanted for the staff in the tag agency is to have their own building,” Hawk said. “We are not federally funded; we work off generated revenue. I feel like that it should show that ARPA and our revenue can sustain it and that is how we got our tag office.”
The progression of the new facility began within the last few months of 2024. The new Tag Agency will be drive-thru but also customers will still be able to walk in. This will also include a waiting area, a walk-up window where the tag office staff will conduct business and a restroom. In the back, staff will have a breakroom, a file room, office space and a file room.
Tag Agency Supervisor Sheila Bluebird said, “I have been waiting a long time for this new tag office. I’m excited and can’t wait to move in.”
The UKB Tag Agency houses three employees, Supervisor Sheila Bluebird, Tax Clerk Jamie Studie-Dick and Tag Specialist Sunni Steeley.
Hours of operation are, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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