Meeting Summary
The city council held a study session to discuss the status of the FYE 2026 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget and prepare for the FYE 2027 CIP budget. Discussions covered funding sources, project prioritization, and the status of major bond programs. A key decision was made to utilize remaining Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) funds for Fire Station 5 land acquisition and design, followed by studies for new police and fire station facilities.
Key Decisions & Votes
Public Safety Facilities Funding and Planning
01:16:50Council reached a consensus to use the remaining $1.4 million balance from the Emergency Communications and Operations Center (ECOC) project to acquire land and initiate design for Fire Station 5. Any remaining funds after this will be used for scoping studies for a new police department and Fire Station 1 rebuild/relocation.
Financial Matters
Capital Fund Status
Overview of the capital fund, highlighting projected available funds for new projects, which is currently negative due to bond proceeds held in reserve for voter-approved projects.
Capital Sales Tax Allocation Guidelines
Discussion of historical guidelines for allocating new sales tax revenue (e.g., 27% capital outlay, 20% street maintenance), with a recent addition of 5% for information technology.
FY26 Capital Sales Tax Allocations
Review of how $17.5 million in capital sales tax revenue was appropriated in FY26, with $14.7 million expended and portions unappropriated to allow the fund to catch up.
Recurring Capital Fund Projects
List of recurring projects included in FY26 (e.g., street striping, storm water, tree program, IT, sidewalks totaling over $12.6 million) and those not included (e.g., alley repair, ADA compliance, bridge maintenance).
FY226 Street Maintenance Bond Program
A five-year, $27 million general obligation bond program, now in its final year, with the majority of work complete. Renewal is anticipated.
2019 Transportation General Obligation Bond Program
Total authorization of $72 million, with $46 million issued to date. Projects include Porter Avenue, Grey Street two-way conversion, and Jenkins Avenue widening, supplemented by federal grants.
Bridge Maintenance Bond Program
Authorized $50 million in bonds for bridge projects, with $16 million issued to date. Three projects are complete, one under construction, and three under design.
Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) Fund
Most critical capital needs from the 2014/2015 reapproval have been met, except for the reconstruction of Fire Station 5. PSST sales tax revenue bonds will be paid off in March 2027.
Fire Station 5 Reconstruction
Estimated cost for a new fire station is around $6.5 million. Remaining balance of $1.4 million from the Emergency Communications and Operations Center (ECOC) project is available.
Norman Forward Sales Tax Fund
Many big-ticket items are substantially complete. Remaining projects include Saxon Park, road connecting 36th to Technology Place, Canadian River Park, and neighborhood park improvements.
Saxon Park Project
Construction is underway, with $2 million allocated from Norman Forward.
Road connecting 36th to Technology Place
$180,000 from Norman Forward and $1.3 million from the capital fund are budgeted for this project.
Griffin Property Purchase
The city purchased the Griffin property for $3.3 million using remaining lease allocation and capital fund project savings.
Stormwater Infrastructure
Currently budgeted at over $2 million annually in the capital fund, but a 2011 master plan recommended $6.5 million annually, indicating significant underfunding.
Permanent Homeless Shelter Facility
Discussions are underway for purchasing property and building the facility. An $8 million general obligation bond assumption was discussed, with potential for lower costs.
Fleet Vehicle Replacement
Increasing vehicle costs are impacting the ability to replace vehicles, with police car costs rising from $62,000 to over $80,000 in a short period.
University North Park Kids Space
Discussion about using approximately $400,000 in existing University North Park TIF funds for a playground in the lifestyle center.
Kids Space at Reese Park Replacement
Estimated cost for playground materials is $600,000, with a total project cost potentially around $1 million including infrastructure.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- New project requests for FYE 2027 budget due by March 3rd
- Final review of preliminary budget on May 5th
- Budget adoption in June
Watch For
- Street maintenance bond renewal
- Fire Station 5 construction and land acquisition
- Police department headquarters replacement
- Fire Station 1 replacement
- Fire Stations 10 and 11
- North Base master plan components
- Rock Creek Entertainment District potential impact
- OTAA's Access Oklahoma turnpike project
- Central library mold remediation and repairs
- Public safety sales tax increase discussion (early 2026)
- Permanent homeless shelter facility property purchase and design
- Parking structures targeting campus corner and downtown
- Kids Space Community Park rebuilding and potential new Kids Space at University North Park
- Street maintenance bond election in April
Announcements
- The new cover for the budget book and the FYE 2025 annual finance report, featuring a tour of Jenkins Avenue projects, was highlighted as Anthony's final vision.
Agenda Summary
Discussion regarding status of the FYE 2026 capital improvements program budget and preparation of the FYE 2027 capital improvements program budget.
City staff, including Budget Analyst Jacob Huckabe and Budget Manager Kim Kaufman, led a discussion reviewing the FYE 2026 budget, outlining the process for the FYE 2027 budget, and looking at the 2028-2031 Capital Improvements Plan. Topics included capital project definitions, funding sources, project prioritization, and the status of various bond programs.