Deep-Dive Executive Summary
Town of Johnson, Oklahoma: Emerging Municipality Growth Strategy
Prepared by: Kenneth Crawford, Doctoral Research – Integrity of the Game vs. Economic Impact
Date: July 18, 2025

| Executive Summary | NotebookLM | Detailed Timeline | Briefing Document |

Context & Cross-Reference

The Town of Johnson, OK seeks to evolve from an unincorporated community into a full-service municipality within Pottawatomie County. This study cross-references our “Pottawatomie County Municipal Growth” dossier and aligns Johnson alongside nearby case studies—Shawnee, Dale, McLoud, and Tecumseh—all of which host USSSA tournaments documented in our Projects Folder.

Financial Overview: Key Metrics

Metric	2012	2013	2014	2015	2021–24*
Total Tax Revenues	$0	$0	$0	$0	—
Intergov’t Revenues	$2,123	$447.38	$1,580	$461	Sub-$25K threshold
Other Operating Revenues	$0	$727.57	$0	$1,711	—
Total Expenditures	$200	$524.70	$524	$100	—
End-of-Year Assets	$36,540	$25,892.61	$26,961	$42,241	—

* 2021–2024 filings certify revenues below the $25,000 audit threshold.

Deep-Dive Summary by Fiscal Year

• 2012:
  • Intergov’t Revenues: $2,123 (state gas/vehicle fees)
  • Expenditures: $200 (salaries & wages)
  • Assets: $36,540
• 2013:
  • Intergov’t Revenues: $447.38
  • Other Revenues: $727.57
  • Expenditures: $524.70
  • Assets: $25,892.61
• 2014:
  • Intergov’t Revenues: $1,580
  • Expenditures: $524
  • Assets: $26,961
• 2015:
  • Intergov’t Revenues: $461
  • Other Revenues: $1,711
  • Expenditures: $100
  • Assets: $42,241
• 2021–2024:
  • Certified in lieu of audit, confirming sub-threshold finances.

Historical Background

Geography & Physical Dimensions

• Area: 4.48 sq mi (11.59 km²); Land: 4.47 sq mi; Water: 0.01 km²
• Elevation: 1,043 ft | Coordinates: 35.40639° N, –96.84444° W

Early Settlement (1891–1900)

• Opened in the Sac & Fox land run of 1891; early agrarian community.

Community Identity & Incorporation (1960–1982)

• Unincorporated crossroads until incorporation on May 11, 1982, to secure zoning control and resist a proposed landfill.

Demographic Evolution

• 1990: 196 → 2000: 223 (+13.8%) → 2010: 247 (+10.8%) → 2020: 457 (+85%).

Analysis & Implications

1. Revenue Base: Entirely state-shared; no local taxes.
2. Fiscal Prudence: Expenditures have trailed revenues, building reserves.
3. Incorporation Readiness: Requires revenue diversification (local taxes, utility fees) and formal budgeting.
4. Governance Enhancement: Recommend establishing a planning commission and adopting a strategic growth plan.

Indoor Event Center (“Dome”) Proposal

Cross-Reference: Adapted from our “Buck Thomas Dome Buildout Plan.”

Scope & Dimensions

• Footprint: 500 ft × 250 ft × 75 ft → 125,000 sq ft.

Capital Costs

• Dome Structure: $2.537 M
• Synthetic Turf (@$10/sq ft): $1.25 M

Operational Model

• Weekday League Play: Youth/adult leagues (baseball, softball, soccer, flag football).
• Weekend Tournament Play: Regional tournaments driving hospitality spend.

Infrastructure Impacts

• Site Prep: 10–12 weeks (grading, utilities, grade beam).
• Utilities: HVAC sized for 2.5 MMBTU; 480 V/3-phase electrical.
• Lifecycle: Vinyl membrane (R-value ~10), 20+ year lifespan; optional protective coating.

Strategic Benefits

• Revenue Diversification: Reduces reliance on state gas tax.
• Economic Catalyst: Drives lodging, retail, and dining in Johnson and nearby towns.
• Municipal Capacity: Demonstrates infrastructure maturity for incorporation.
• Community Engagement: Year-round programming enhances livability.

Economic Impact Analysis: Hidden Valley Dataset Insights

Regional Tournament Profile:

• Shawnee & Tecumseh: Avg. 25 teams/event; entry fees yield $55K/event.
• Dale & McLoud: Smaller events (12–15 teams); fees yield $25K/event.

Spend Multipliers (per event):

• Lodging & Meals: 2× entry fees
• Ancillary (retail, fuel): 0.5× entry fees

First-Year Johnson Projections:

• 5 Major Tournaments: 5 × $192.5K = $962.5K
• 10 Smaller Events: 10 × $87.5K = $875K
• Annual Impact: $1.84 M

Long-Term Potential:

• Expanded rotation (8 major, 15 smaller) → $3.5–4 M annual impact.

County-Level Economic Impact Comparison

County	# Events	Entry Fees	Est. Impact
Pottawatomie	420	$7.4 M	$17.8 M
Oklahoma	610	$11.2 M	$26.9 M
Cleveland	295	$5.3 M	$12.7 M
Lincoln	158	$3.0 M	$7.2 M
Tulsa	735	$13.8 M	$33.1 M
Seminole	202	$4.1 M	$9.9 M

Key Takeaways:

• Pottawatomie ranks third in volume and generates $42.4K/event.
• Capturing 10–15% of regional rotations via Johnson’s dome could add $1.8–2.7 M in local economic activity annually.

Conclusion:
Johnson’s solid fiscal foundation, combined with strategic infrastructure—most notably the Indoor Event Center—and validated USSSA demand, provides a clear pathway to full municipal incorporation and sustained economic growth.