Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulsa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
8 issues in water utilities with high priority
Utility assistance program funding
A placeholder of $250,000 was floated for utility assistance, but the council's working group found that would cover only about a month of need. Councilors Bengel, Bellis and Gilbert sit on the working group and are designing criteria.
Tulsa Classical Academy stormwater damage
Neighbors say the school site was built 18 inches above the city plat, covered the area's only drainage pipe, and has washed sand into their yards for three years. The city issued erosion-control notices of violation, and the plat was delayed so the applicant must answer questions.
S. Lewis Avenue drainage and street rehabilitation
Homes near 46th and 47th Streets flood because the drainage system can't handle the runoff. The city is building a system to intercept the water and carry it to Lewis Avenue, but needs one last easement it can't buy through negotiation.
Water and sewer rate increases
Rates go up October 1, 2026 — councilors acknowledged it's one more expense on residents' paychecks, but the money funds roughly $500 million of water and sewer infrastructure over five years.
Stormwater rate increase and flood-prone infrastructure
Monthly stormwater charges rise 7% to $14.65 on October 1. Councilor Bengel is still waiting on a GIS map showing which drainage and creek banks are the city's responsibility versus private owners' — a big deal for floodplain-adjacent homes.
End of twice-a-week trash collection and new rates October 1
Twice-a-week collection disappears October 1, and customers with backyard service, extra carts and extra stickers will see rate increases. The city is pushing flyers, direct mail, phone calls, social media and 311 to spread the word — old orange stickers will require four per bag, new purple ones one.
Utility rate increases
Water up 7%, sewer up 4.7%, stormwater up 7%, trash up 4% — about $5.82 more per month for a typical household, to keep aging water, sewer and drainage systems from failing.
ONG franchise agreement renewal
Tulsa's decades-old natural gas franchise with ONG is up for renewal, and the proposed 20-year deal would raise the franchise fee from 3.1% to 4% — the charter maximum. That's about $1.4 million more a year, earmarked for right-of-way beautification and maintenance. Voters get the final say in August.