Meeting Summary
The city council meeting began with the ceremonial swearing-in of four council members, including two new members. The primary focus then shifted to the introduction of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which projects a 2.47% overall increase but a 0.5% contraction in the General Fund due to lower-than-projected sales and use tax growth. Presentations were given by Public Transportation and Parking, Development Services, and Parks and Recreation departments, detailing their budget adjustments and service impacts.
Key Decisions & Votes
FY26 Budget Public Hearing Dates
30:20The council approved a resolution setting May 13th and May 27th as public hearing dates for department budget presentations, and June 3rd as the formal city council public hearing for the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2026.
Upcoming Community Events
Women's College World Series Embark Express service
Two stops, three buses for shuttle service to the event.
Financial Matters
FY26 Proposed Budget Total
Overall proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
General Fund Budget
The city's primary operating fund, projected to contract.
Other Operating Funds Increase
Increase driven by public safety sales tax and hotel motel tax fund.
Other Non-operating Funds Increase
Increase primarily driven by MAPS 4 fund.
Sales and Use Tax Growth Projection (FY26)
Projected growth rate for sales and use tax.
Current Year (FY25) Sales and Use Tax Growth
Actual growth rate for the current fiscal year, lower than projected.
Franchise Fees Growth Projection
Expected growth rate for franchise fees.
Licenses, Fees, and Permits Growth Projection
Expected growth due to activity and recent fee study.
Budgeted Funded Positions Reduction
Reduction in budgeted funded positions across departments, not including frozen police positions.
Police Officer Positions Frozen
Vacant uniformed police officer positions frozen, not cut.
Fire Department Vacant Uniform Positions Deleted
Deletion of vacant uniform positions by removing the second engine at station number one; firefighters will be moved to other vacant positions.
Fire Department Positions Added
Addition of positions to the alternative response team program and an HRBP.
Fire Department Public Safety Sales Tax Increase
Increase in public safety sales tax for capital.
Municipal Courts Positions Deleted
Deletion of positions related to the court cost compliance program, with work absorbed by probation services.
Public Works Vacant Positions Deleted
Deletion of vacant positions, one from traffic and one from infrastructure.
Development Services Positions Deleted
Deletion of vacant positions, one from plan review and one from permits and licensing.
Public Transportation and Parking Budget
Total proposed budget for the COPTA trust.
Public Transportation General Fund Reduction
Reduction in the general fund portion of the public transportation budget.
Street Car Budget Reduction
Reduction in the street car budget due to insourcing operations and maintenance.
Street Car Operations Insourcing Savings
Projected savings from bringing street car program maintenance and operation in-house.
Route 19 Elimination Budget Reduction
Budget reduction from the proposed elimination of bus Route 19.
Route 24 Reduction Budget Reduction
Budget reduction from the proposed reduction of bus Route 24 (commuter route to Norman).
Public Transportation Utility Costs Increase
Increased funding for utility costs.
Public Transportation Labor Supplies and Repairs Increase
Increased funding for labor supplies and repairs, particularly for new bus shelters.
Public Transportation IT, Finance, Marketing Reductions
Budget reductions found through efficiency trimming.
Utilities Department Positions Added
Addition of positions to the Hefner water treatment facility.
Utilities Department Service and Supply Budget Increase
Increase in service and supply budget.
Parks Department Vacant Positions Deleted
Deletion of vacant positions.
Parks Department Contract Labor Reductions
Proposed reductions in contract labor line item.
Parks Department Athletic Field Maintenance Supply Reductions
Proposed reductions in athletic field maintenance supplies.
General Services Vacant Positions Deleted
Deletion of vacant positions.
Finance Department Vacant Positions Deleted
Deletion of vacant positions, one in risk and one in accounting services.
Human Resources Department Vacant Position Deleted
Deletion of a vacant public information and marketing specialist in talent acquisition.
Municipal Counselor Vacant Position Deleted
Deletion of a vacant legal secretary position.
Development Services Total Operating Budget
Total operating budget for Development Services.
Development Services Non-Operating Budget
Non-operating budget for Development Services, including PDU fund for landfill, spanure programs, and donations.
Development Services Total Budget
Overall total budget for Development Services.
Development Services Personnel Cost Changes
Changes in personnel-related costs including salaries, merit, retirement, health insurance, and other benefits.
Parks and Recreation Total Department Budget
Overall total budget for Parks and Recreation, including operating, capital, and non-operating funds.
Spay and Neuter Program Funding
50% of adoption fees fund the spay and neuter program; recent donation received.
Public Comments
Michael Washington expressed strong concerns about the ongoing deaths at the Oklahoma County Detention Center, referring to it as the 'House of Horror.' He urged the city council to investigate the activities within the facility, emphasizing that people accused of crimes are still citizens deserving protection and that the city has a responsibility given its contract with the county jail.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- May 13th: Public hearing for FY26 budget presentations (Public Works, Utilities, Fire)
- May 27th: Public hearing for FY26 budget presentations (Planning, Airports, Police)
- June 3rd: Formal City Council public hearing and adoption of the proposed annual budget
- July 1st: Start of Fiscal Year 2026
Watch For
- Proposals on additional fee reviews over the next few months
- MAPS 4 BRT service launch (late 2028)
- Microtransit pilot program in northeast Oklahoma City
- Transit Signal Prioritization (TSP) implementation
- MAPS 4 bus shelters expansion (additional 360 shelters)
- Swisser Park Phase 1 preliminary report to council (next week)
- Earlywine Golf Course Turn Grill construction (starting this fall)
- MAPS 4 soccer facility improvements at Cameron and South Lakes parks (starting this fall)
- MAPS 4 community and neighborhood park improvements (starting this fall)
Announcements
- Councilor Hinkle, on behalf of Councilor Carter, thanked Chief Bassy for his first prayer breakfast.
Agenda Summary
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation by Pastor Jordan Roberts and Pledge of Allegiance led by Girl Scouts U Troops 269 and 156.
Swearing-in of Council Members
Ceremonial oaths of office were administered to Councilman Bradley Carter (Ward 1), Councilwoman Katrina Bedell Avers (Ward 3), Councilman Todd Stone (Ward 4), and Councilman Kamal Pennington (Ward 7).
Item 4A: Resolution setting public hearing dates for FY26 budget
A resolution to set public hearing dates for the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2026.
Item 5: Presentations and discussion of FY26 proposed budget
Introduction of the FY26 proposed budget by the City Manager and Budget Director, followed by presentations from Public Transportation and Parking, Development Services, and Parks and Recreation departments.
Item 6: Citizens to be heard
Opportunity for citizens to address the council on matters not on the agenda.
Item 7: Adjournment
The meeting concluded.