Meeting Summary
The City Council held a teleconference meeting to begin consideration of the Fiscal Year 2022 proposed budget. A resolution was approved to set public hearing dates for budget presentations and adoption. Departmental presentations were given by the Fire Department, Municipal Courts, and Police Department, followed by public comments.
Key Decisions & Votes
FY22 Budget Public Hearing Dates
06:00The City Council unanimously approved a resolution setting May 18th and June 1st, 2021, as public hearing dates for budget presentations and public comment, and June 8th, 2021, as the formal public hearing for the proposed annual budget for Fiscal Year 2022.
Upcoming Community Events
First Americans Museum Opening
Financial Matters
Overall Proposed Budget FY22
The total proposed budget is $1.6486 billion, a 2.4% decline primarily due to the spend down of MAPS 3 and Better Streets Safer City funds.
General Fund Increase
The General Fund is projected to increase by 6.8% over the current year budget.
Mental Health Response Component for Police
Initial funding set aside for a mental health response component for the Police Department.
Task Force Recommendations Funding
Funding set aside for recommendations from task forces and working groups on community policing, human rights, and homelessness.
First Americans Museum Operating Support
Operating support for the First Americans Museum, with an additional $2 million provided by the Chickasaw Nation.
Fire Department Total Budget
The Fire Department's total budget for FY22, an increase from the FY21 budget of $160 million.
Municipal Courts Operating Budget
The proposed operating budget for Municipal Courts, with a total department budget of $8.7 million, which is 3.5% below the FY21 budget.
Municipal Courts Collections (FY20)
Total collections by the Municipal Courts in Fiscal Year 2020.
Municipal Courts Penalty Reduction Program
Collection value from the penalty reduction program, which closed 3,131 cases and dismissed 1,108 failure to appear cases.
Police Department Total Budget
The Police Department's total budget for FY22, representing a 0.57% increase from the FY21 adopted budget.
Police Athletic League (PAL) Esports Fundraiser
Funds raised in collaboration with OU Esports and Equinox to support the PAL Esports program.
Public Comments
Nine citizens spoke, expressing diverse views on the city's budget, particularly concerning the Police Department. Some speakers lauded the police for their community engagement and high approval ratings, advocating for continued support. Others voiced strong criticisms regarding police violence, high use-of-force incidents, and the department's budget allocation. There was a significant call to reallocate funds from policing to non-law enforcement community-led initiatives, such as mental health response programs and violence interruption, citing research on their effectiveness and expressing a lack of trust in the police to lead such efforts. Concerns were also raised about the transparency and quality of the police budget presentation, the need for diversity in the police force, and the impact of policing on marginalized communities.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- May 18, 2021: City Council public hearing for budget related presentations and public comment.
- June 1, 2021: City Council public hearing for budget related presentations and public comment.
- June 8, 2021: Formal City Council public hearing and budget adoption for Fiscal Year 2022.
- July 1, 2021: Start of Fiscal Year 2022.
Watch For
- Opening of the First Americans Museum this fall.
- Completion of Fire Station 38 in early 2022.
- Launch of the first evening traffic and criminal arraignment docket in July 2021.
- Expansion of the mental health partnership program city-wide by the Police Department.
- Update on the body camera RFP and replacement for the Police Department.
Announcements
- Teleconference disconnection protocols were outlined, including reconvening procedures and continuation options if audio is not restored.
- Agenda and documents are available on okc.gov.
- Instructions for public speaking were provided: call 405-297-2391, text 405-219-7987, or email cityclerk@okc.gov. Speakers are allowed three minutes.
- City Manager Craig Freeman led an invocation.
- The public comment period for the proposed budget is open for 20 days via okc.gov/budget, budgetcomments@okc.gov, text to 405-252-1053, or mail to the City Clerk. A summary will be presented at the June 1st council meeting.
Agenda Summary
Item 3a: Resolution setting city council public hearing dates for budget related presentations and public comment on the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2022 and setting June 8, 2021 as the formal city council public hearing on the proposed annual budget for fiscal year 2022 at which time the city council will consider and discuss the proposed budget and may adopt the budget as proposed or amend it reject it or defer it to a later hearing date and directing appropriate publication.
This resolution established the timeline for public hearings and formal consideration of the city manager's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Item 4: Presentations and discussion of FY21 proposed budget
This item included an overview of the proposed budget by the Assistant Finance Director and presentations from the Fire Department, Municipal Courts, and Police Department.
Budget Overview
Presentation by Doug Dowler, Assistant Finance Director and Budget Director, providing a high-level look at revenues, assumptions, and expenditures for the FY22 proposed budget, including highlights of new positions and funding allocations.
Fire Department Budget Presentation
Chief Richard Kelly presented the Fire Department's FY22 budget, outlining its mission, organizational structure, major budget changes, strategic results, and future goals, including the full implementation of Advanced Life Support.
Municipal Courts Budget Presentation
Director Lashon Thompson presented the Municipal Court's FY22 budget, highlighting its commitment to procedural justice, customer satisfaction, community outreach programs, and successful outcomes in criminal justice reform.
Police Department Budget Presentation
Chief Wade Gourley presented the Police Department's FY22 budget, discussing its mission, funding, major budget changes, and initiatives such as the Violent Crimes Apprehension Team, Reality-Based Training, Media Relations expansion, Youth Enrichment Services, PAL Esports, and Mental Health Partnerships.