Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cleveland County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
5 issues in business jobs
Wellness Initiative app and incentive
Sheriff's department employees thought the $250 wellness incentive was only for the challenge winner, so many didn't participate. Leadership plans to contact the sheriff to fix the communication gap.
Brewtoberfest street closure
Jones Avenue will close on Saturday, October 3 for the Norman Brewers Association's Brewtoberfest festival.
County employee substance abuse recovery program
The Virtue Center pitched a confidential recovery program for county employees with daily app check-ins, random drug testing, and weekly support meetings. Untreated addiction costs the county an estimated $300,000 a year in absenteeism, health costs, and turnover; a pilot at 50% engagement could save about $125,000 annually.
Five-year business tax exemption program
Eight exemptions for Emmy and JC Residential represent $47.4 million in investment and $35 million in added county payroll; the state reimburses local taxing districts from a 1% income-tax fund, so nobody locally loses revenue. Five Power Cost Inc. applications were denied for missing minimum thresholds.
Economic Development Week and coming announcements
The county proclaimed May 4-8 as Economic Development Week. The coalition director teased at least two major announcements in the next couple of months — potentially hundreds of millions in investment and hundreds of high-paying jobs.