A local developer says he collected enough signatures necessary to recall Kingfisher’s mayor and three other city commissioners within a few hours last week.

And although he was preparing to turn in those signatures to the city clerk on Tuesday to legally start the recall process, Mike Matthews said he was still hopeful for a different resolution.

“It took us about 4 1/2 hours to get 85 signatures,” said Matthews. “And we stopped there. There’s no need to get 500 just to prove a point.”

Matthews circulated the petition last week calling to remove Mayor Geoff Covalt and commissioners Jeff Wittrock, Kyle Mecklenburg and Dawn Taylor from their respective seats. Matthews has been at odds with city leaders on a pair of projects.

One is the rezoning of property at 1000 S. Main St. on which Matthews plans to build a strip mall.

His plans hit a road block when a 2-2 vote of the city commission in September rejected his rezoning request. (Editor’s note: For a more detailed review, see the Sunday, Oct. 19, edition.)

Matthews is also developing land in southwest Kingfisher for a 74-plot housing addition.

Originally approved in 2023, that is now being held up over a dispute on electric infrastructure fees the city is charging Matthews.

City leaders insist they’re following an ordinance passed in 2018 that allows the city to recoup those costs incurred for private development.

Matthews said at no time during the planning stages for the development was he made aware of the potential charges, which ended up being $223,000.

Matthews’ petition laid out four grounds for removal: Obstruction of lawful development and abuse of authority, failure to promote economic growth and public benefit, neglect of duty by the board of commissioners and breach of public trust and failure to uphold ethical standards.

The city charter states a successful petition must be signed by registered voters within the city limits and the number must be at least 30 percent of the total number of all the votes cast in the most previous general municipal election.

That election was April 2, 2024, and 239 votes were cast that day, which put the number of signatures needed to be collected by petitioners at 72.

Once collected, Matthews must turn them over to City Clerk Brittney Hladik for review and she’ll have 10 days to determine if the signatures are valid.

If the petition is determined sufficient, the commission must vote to set an election “allowing at least 60 days’ notice to the Kingfisher County Election Board,” according to city charter.

Matthews said he was prepared to turn in the signatures on Tuesday, but had not done so at press time of this edition.

Matthews told the KT&FP that his goal is to find resolution in the disputes.

“We don’t want to cause a stink in town. I don’t want that for my community,” he said. “We proved our point (by quickly collecting the signatures). If these guys want to come together and cut a deal, let’s do it.”

Both Covalt and City Manager Jim Thomas said attempts at such haven’t garnered progress.

“There have been discussions with Mr. Matthews regarding his development and the power infrastructure the city provided to be fruitless,” Covalt told the KT&FP. “The city is willing to make a good faith effort in discussing these issues.”

Covalt was among the two “no” votes - along with Taylor - in Matthews’ rezoning request.

He said that although Matthews spoke at the meeting during which the rezoning was voted on, very little was actually said about the project itself.

“I had questions regarding the property that would affect citizens near the property and the City of Kingfisher infrastructure. I was not able to ask those questions so obviously got no answers,” Covalt said.

“Therefore, I voted no. “Mr. Matthews provided a sketch of the footprint of the building with little detail which, in my opinion, was not enough information to make a decision on rezoning.”

As for the recall petition, Covalt said he will accept the “will of the people” if the petition proves to be sufficient.

He also indicated he would “throw my name back in the hat” and enter the next election, which is allowable for all recalled commissioners, according to city charter.

Covalt said he’s open to discuss any and all decisions he’s made with citizens.

“I am happy to discuss anything regarding the City of Kingfisher, the direction we are pursuing as a city and decisions we have made as a commission during my time on the commission,” Covalt said. “This decision, as well as others, can always be reconsidered given there is additional information provided to be reconsidered.”