Guthrie city leaders in conjunction with the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce sponsored by Oklahoma Natural Gas gathered at Meridian Technology Center on Tuesday for the annual state of the city luncheon to discuss a myriad of city-wide issues, from 2024 tax collections to future project updates.
Mayor Steve Gentling spoke first about Guthrie’s accomplishments since its founding in 1889, and what the community has become in recent years. He stressed the community aspect that the city has built by mentioning all the community events the city holds every year and how it impacts the culture.
“We’re (Guthrie) not just on the map, we’re a star on the map,” Gentling concluded. “A star community because of our relationships and our partnerships. We’re a star because of you and who you represent, working together to make things special.”
Gentling handed the mic off to city manager Eddie Faulkner, took the rest of the luncheon to discuss the 2024 fiscal year regarding sales and property tax collections (which saw an over-$1 million increase compared to 2023), as well as give updates on city projects taking place in 2025 like water and sewer system needs, road improvements and the city’s strategic goals for the new year.
Faulkner brought up the repainting of Guthrie’s water towers and the replacement of pumps at the westside booster pump station, both of which will begin work this year.
Also discussed was the building of new structures at Highland Park, which is scheduled to be completed during summer 2026, as well as the Owen Field Sports Complex, which saw additional funds allocated to construction in late 2024. Faulkner then presented operations stats and figures for the Guthrie Police Department, Guthrie Fire and EMS and the Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport, all of which experienced positive economic impacts in 2024.
Faulkner ended by honoring mayor Gentling, who is retiring from office after 10 years of service to Guthrie. The city manager concluded the luncheon with some parting words on why Guthrie as a community is so unique and special.
“Guthrie has been a blessing to me personally and professionally,” Faulkner said. “This community, I can’t describe it. I go out there and I talk to my colleagues in the same industry, and they say ‘oh, we’ve got these issues’,
and they start telling me, and I’m like ‘we don’t have those issues.’ Guthrie is a special place. Team Guthrie is a special place. It’s the folks that are here that make it a special place, and I can’t emphasize that to you enough how special this community is.”