Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulsa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
22 issues in water utilities
Sewer capital fund budget transfer
A routine $52,878 transfer moves leftover funds from the finished Southside Wastewater Lagoon No. 7 project to the Haikey Creek Lift Station project.
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.
Citywide data integration gaps
Commissioner Roberts admitted the city runs on siloed Excel spreadsheets and legacy systems, making cross-department analysis hard. A Peregrine data-integration platform is being explored after the eight-year records-management project wrapped.
Spunky Creek sewer interceptor acceleration
Landowners donated easements so sewer and stormwater projects can move forward — including Battle Creek Phase VI, the 11th Street Acres interceptor, and the Hughes sewer extension.
Fair Oaks sanitary sewer extension
The Robson family is working with TMUA to extend sanitary sewer to the southern portion of the 540-acre parcel and to the first phase of Fair Oaks retail development, with Meta providing local match.
Detention easement closure at 1123 N. Garnett Rd.
A redevelopment on North Garnett needs to build where an old detention easement sits; the replacement detention work is done, so staff recommended closing the easement.
Condemnation for Coal Creek sewer improvements
The city is condemning a home on N. College Ave. and six Oakhurst Strategies properties near N. Harvard and N. Gary to install sanitary sewer improvements for Coal Creek Rehabilitation Relief.
Stormwater project landscaping change order
A District 2 stormwater project (SW-23-01-01) is getting irrigation, plantings, fencing and landscaping added via a $182,812 change order — about 2.6% of the contract, well within the city's 10% limit — plus 21 extra days.
Sewer backup settlement payment
A west Tulsa family's home flooded with sewage in November 2024 after roots intruded through a defect in an old city main line — 75% of the house was affected. The city is paying $125,000 from the Sinking Fund to settle the lawsuit, and councilors urged residents to report possible sewer line encroachments for inspection.
Utility fiber installations in rights-of-way
The city is granting permits and licenses for Vero Fiber and CoxCom to install fiber in public rights-of-way, including over city raw water flowlines in Mayes County.
Fiber optic crossings of city raw water lines
Cox is running fiber under Tulsa's raw water flowlines in rural Rogers County — a sign of broadband buildout in outlying areas. The crossings are at Cox's risk if a water line breaks, and the city inspects the work.
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.
Coal Creek sewer condemnations near N. Harvard and E. Marshall
The city needs seven parcels for Coal Creek sewer rehabilitation but can't get responses from the owners — one unreachable, one unresponsive. Judges will now help sort it out.
Stormwater and Legacy Bond Ratifications
The council ratified a stack of old bond agreements — covering City Hall, the BOK Arena, parking bonds and multiple stormwater funds — as bookkeeping part of the annual budget adoption.
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 and solid waste rate increases
Monthly stormwater fees would rise 7% to $14.65 and residential trash rates would be amended, both effective October 1 — that shows up directly on utility bills.
Tulsa Utility Board leadership and aging water system
Incoming utility board chairman Rick Hudson warned of an aging, decaying water and sewer system and a wastewater consent order that forced costlier borrowing — a heads-up on future rate pressure.
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.
South Tulsa Dam project funding gap
The city, Jenks, and the Muscogee Nation all offered to put in more money, but the project still has a significant funding gap despite four cost-reduction concepts on the table.
Oklahoma Natural Gas 20-year franchise
ONG's franchise renewal sets a 4% rate on gross receipts and needs voter approval on August 25. The council held its required public hearing with no speakers.