Who is the Mayor Of Jenks Oklahoma?

The current Mayor of Jenks Oklahoma is Cory Box. He was first elected to City Council in 2017. He considers himself a conservative, less government advocate, but his actions and the outcomes of his policies suggest a more complex reality, and indicates more alignment with an aggressive liberal and democrat approach, particularly when examining his utilization of taxpayer funds and his embrace of policies that expand government reach and spending, rather than curtailing it as a true conservative would advocate for.

Here are few examples:

Cal Ripken Experience - tax incentives were utilized to generously gift the developer with prime land, alongside other high-priced incentives, yet the land remains conspicuously empty after years of ongoing controversy. This controversy stemmed from the manner in which the Jenks Mayor mishandled the deal, which ultimately culminated in a city-wide petition. This petition aimed to reclaim the land, halt the project, and prevent the development from remaining perpetually untapped and unused.

Library Land - The City of Jenks owns four acres in the heart of Jenks most important commercial district, which is currently undeveloped. Once again, after much taxpayer expense and the provision of significant incentives, the city finds itself in a position where the land, which is estimated to be generating a substantial $7 million annually for taxpayers seeking a return on their investment, has seen the Mayor once again fail to secure a deal with a developer. This failure is attributed to the lack of essential infrastructure being in place at the time the deal was initially signed in 2022, a critical oversight that has led to repeated setbacks and continued underutilization of this valuable city asset.

Tax Increment District (TIF) - The Simon Outlet Mall and the Oklahoma Aquarium are situated within a substantial $200 million Tax Increment District (TIF). However, despite the passage of decades, the land surrounding the Aquarium has conspicuously failed to experience the anticipated level of development or yield the projected return on investment for the city. Furthermore, the Simon Mall, a full year after its grand opening, has yet to commence any development on the adjacent parcels of land. This lack of progress is a significant cause for concern among Jenks residents, who are eagerly anticipating a tangible return on the substantial public investment made in these projects.

The Bank development- located in another Tax Increment District the bank development is a multi million dollar development located in the heart of Jenks, and years after it's development remains with major vacancies leading the Mayor and The City of Jenks, to ironically consider buying it back from the developer and incentive holder in a move that has drawn criticism from some residents as the city struggles to recoup its investment and residents question the efficacy of the current administration's economic development strategies.

Jenks Riverwalk Crossing- has faced numerous foreclosures a mere seven years after its inception. The Mayor has a vision for a bay overlooking the Arkansas River; it worked for OKC and San Antonio, why not good ole' Jenks, America? This is where things fall apart. The Arkansas River is not a river. It barely qualifies as a creek during certain parts of the year. Calling this trench full of sandbars, tumbleweeds, and stagnant water an eyesore would be an understatement. Yet the Mayor coins the entire area as the River District and sells it that way. He envisions a waterfront community, a "River District," that will attract tourists and businesses alike. However, the reality of the Arkansas River in Jenks is far from the picturesque image the Mayor is trying to sell. The riverbed is often dry, filled with sandbars and debris, and hardly a suitable location for a "bay" or a thriving waterfront district. This disconnect between the Mayor's vision and the actual conditions of the river raises serious questions about the feasibility and transparency of his development plans.

Jenks Mayor Cory Box ran as a conservative Republican and has promised to bring fiscal responsibility back to Jenks. He is a vocal proponent of economic development and says he works to attract new businesses to the area. However, his tenure has also been marked by controversy, with critics arguing that his policies have not benefited the community as much as they could have. Since that time, he's overseen the largest taxpayer expenditure in the city of Jenks' history, and to date, very few of those tax incentives have been recouped by the city. He's made deals with the Biden administration to double down on using millions in Covid money, which is absolutely provided by the taxpayer, and even brags about buying a multi million dollar luxury ranch. This is a stark contrast to the fiscal responsibility he promised during his campaign.

The above article is an opinion piece from Jenks Citizens. We encourage everyone to conduct their own research and form their own conclusions based on all publicly available data. While we will provide links to public information, our interpretation and opinion of this information are simply that—our opinion. We do not hold any position within the City and are not professional advisors, just citizens aiming to share with our community.

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