Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Broken Arrow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
32 issues in taxes budget
Sales Tax Revenue Note financing for municipal services building
The Authority is borrowing up to $29.99 million against sales tax revenue to fund the new municipal services building before interest rates rise. Securing financing now protects the project from cost increases.
April 6, 2027 City Election Called
Ward 3, Ward 4, and the at-large council seats will be on the spring ballot, with filing periods and contests handled through the Tulsa County Election Board.
2026 General Obligation Bond Sales
The city sold $26.5 million of its voter-approved bonds at interest rates just above 4%, kicking off spending on roads, parks, the Rose District plaza and museum design, and land purchases for future fire and public-safety projects. Staff explained the program may stretch from ten to twelve years because of state property tax limits.
General Obligation Bonds Series 2026A, 2026B and 2026C
The city sold $26.5 million of its voter-approved bonds at interest rates just above 4%, kicking off spending on roads, parks, the Rose District plaza and museum design, and land purchases for future fire and public-safety projects. Staff explained the program may stretch from ten to twelve years because of state property tax limits.
General Services Center Administration Building
A $2.57 million contract consolidates maintenance, solid waste and purchasing admin staff at the Stark Center campus after nine competitive bids.
2018 Bond Fund Returns and Project Closeouts
Five completed or closed projects freed up about $589,000 in 2018 drainage bond money, returned to the appropriate basins for future use.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Amendment No. 13
The authority was scheduled to review and potentially approve Budget Amendment Number 13 for Fiscal Year 2027.
Employee Health Insurance Rates
Revised employee/employer health insurance contribution rates were set to take effect January 1, 2027, affecting city workers' paychecks and the city's benefits budget.
Purchasing rules and tort claim settlements
Ordinance No. 3953 would update the city's purchasing procedures and add a formal process for settling governmental tort claims — affecting how the city buys goods and resolves injury or damage claims against it.
2026 Bond Program Planning
The city is asking voters April 7 to approve eight propositions: seven property-tax propositions totaling $415 million that keep the tax rate flat, plus a half-cent sales tax for five years raising $53 million to overhaul the sports complexes. The sports facility investment is expected to draw tournaments back to Broken Arrow and boost hotel and restaurant business.
Easement litigation resolutions
Resolutions 1771 and 1772 would ratify court judgments in two lawsuits against the city, permanently vacating previously closed easements and giving up any right to reopen them.
Airbnb lodging tax collection
Board members pushed again on collecting lodging taxes from short-term rentals like Airbnb. Staff said the effort stalled when the legal department turned over, and it's back on the to-do list — one member called it urgent, estimating it's the equivalent of a whole hotel's worth of tax revenue.
City Manager Purchase Authority Increase
A previewed ordinance would let the city manager approve contracts up to $100,000 (up from $50,000), give assistant city managers $25,000 authority, and allow $100,000 tort settlements — matching new state law. Councilor Parks-type transparency reporting continues.
June lodging tax collections up sharply
Hotel-motel tax collections have beat last year every month since July, running about $20,000 ahead fiscal-year-to-date — a good sign for tourism funding.
Life Ride fee dispute
Resident Keith Hayes raised questions about the Life Ride ambulance fee, including whether residents who never use the service can opt out and whether unpaid charges can lead to water disconnection. The council cannot answer or act on non-agenda topics, so Hayes will submit his questions in writing.
Budget Amendment Number 26 for FY2026
The authority approved its 26th budget amendment of the fiscal year, adjusting the utility budget as the year progresses.
Land purchase at 401 East Dallas Street
The consent agenda included Resolution No. 1758 authorizing a $178,000 purchase of property at 401 East Dallas Street from William J. Fox and Suzanne Fox, tied to a street project (ST25320).
Proposed Manual of Fees
Sewer rates would jump 8% and solid waste $1.50, adding about $5.96 to a typical 7,300-gallon monthly bill. The city manager said the increase is half of what was originally planned because he held off on hiring 5–8 extra utility workers. Residents pay the same rates; most new fees hit non-residents and developers.
Three-councilor rule for agenda items
A new rule would require three council members to back any general business item before it hits the agenda, replacing today's one-member threshold. Council members discussed safeguards like the 72-hour email notice and a two-thirds vote to suspend it.
Homewood Suites Hotel Tax Lawsuit
The city is taking the Homewood Suites owner to district court over roughly $82,000 in unpaid hotel occupancy tax after letters and a broken payment plan went nowhere.
Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Plan
The Economic Development Authority reviewed the proposed financial plan for the upcoming fiscal year to guide local economic programs.
Potential lodging tax rate increase
With the bond vote behind them, the board confirmed a hotel/motel tax conversation is likely coming. They're watching Norman (raised to 10%), Tulsa (proposing 9.75% downtown), and Yukon (failed vote) to learn what messaging works — noting Broken Arrow's rate is 4%.
Rooster Days city sponsorship structure
The board told the Chamber the $20,000 Rooster Days sponsorship should come through the tourism board going forward, and the amount or form (cash vs. services) could change next year. Chamber staff warned the festival barely breaks even and losing sponsorship could endanger the 95-year-old event.
The Shops at Aspen Creek economic development agreement
Second-tier retailers have letters of intent but everything hinges on one big anchor tenant whose approval committee keeps delaying. A decision is expected this week.
Economic-impact tracking software
About $50,000 is budgeted next fiscal year for software that tracks actual visitor spending via credit-card data, replacing guesswork on what tournaments and events really bring in — data that will also help justify future investments like sports field improvements and measure the amphitheater's impact.
Bond election results
If voters approve the half-cent tax, about $53 million will upgrade fields at Arrowhead, Indian Springs, Challenger and Nienhuis — turf, LED lighting, parking, restrooms and playgrounds. Design starts the day after the vote; construction could begin in 2027.
Grounds Maintenance Contracts for City Properties
The Authority awarded mowing contracts: J & J Bowers Lawn Care covers the south side and Goodacre Lawn Care, LLC the north side, with Prodigy Lawn and Landscape as a backup vendor if needed.
Hotel rebate and sponsorship program structure
Board members debated whether the current rebate formula — $500 for every 12 room nights with no cap — still works now that Broken Arrow is drawing bigger conventions. Ideas included caps, open application windows, disclaimer language, and winding down long-running sponsorships.
Bass Pro advertising expenditure
A board member flagged the roughly $25,000 annual payment to Bass Pro for a website banner ad as a poor deal and asked the city attorney to look into whether it can be renegotiated or reduced. The lease obligation runs another 9-15 years.
Build Our Future bond program and half-cent sales tax
Voters decide April 7 on a $415 million bond package — streets, fire stations, parks, a library partnership, stormwater — plus a five-year half-cent sales tax for $53 million in sports facilities. No property tax rate increase, but the sales tax raises the city rate from 3.55 to 4.05 percent.
Rising demand for tourism grant funds
The board now tiers rebate amounts by event size — from $1,000 for emerging events to $7,500 for signature events. The barbecue festival's $5,000 request was cut to $1,000 because it only filled ten hotel rooms, and organizers are moving the event to October to grow attendance.
Surplus Vehicles and Equipment Auction
The Authority declared old city vehicles and equipment surplus so they can be sold at an online public auction. It clears out unused gear and puts a little money back into the till.