[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6478512,"mediaKeyId","5708829-99a30659f36f0fe7adbacbe674b84dc0","parentId",5708829,"title","At-a-glance: Del City council and authorities approve fire union pact, software modules, contracts and emergency repairs","audioSeconds",505,"startMs",1197000,"endMs",1702000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708829-99a30659f36f0fe7adbacbe674b84dc0&start=1197&end=1702","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708829-99a30659f36f0fe7adbacbe674b84dc0/thumbnail_1197000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478512/Del-City/Oklahoma-County/Oklahoma/At-a-glance-Del-City-council-and-authorities-approve-fire-union-pact-software-modules-contracts-and-emergency-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478512-26aec0c6b3e66dd3e9a4d776d6e1b78a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773543674&Signature=mfgKoRw2U68bivjKH23RH4i4o6Fxxuk5aCklWpX4naxPWN0PsCWs2-kf-xhaK8eHx4qIc082Bd~xRD5x4cDhmpnnW~KxR2TbyYU~pNOTLNnzLxOxRIg8KRhNnB7iTVbd8rP28CdQj~syOSL-cR3xSqIXEJjkzY9o-CqCckK7NdhfWWMHtreOc6m0F~RW2sZg6IYfxac-5-bH7xkrf5HtiaP1ET0vYlMuKyY0nRVFnwNEPh-ZTtrc~~77mgE9uyRYQnOnFgmFbcfjQ1LU~7z6wvanuzrHs~clQFw0abFDvohIbhzdmxO7~gQ3tL1xkk4p1IS9Omx7B5ovA5Bs8UtMnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Del City","date","2025-09-03T02:38:09.86Z","article","Del City governing bodies approved several contracts, appointments and emergency expenditures during the meeting, including a collective bargaining agreement with the firefighters’ union, purchases of software modules, routine traffic-signal maintenance and an emergency repair for a sanitation truck. Several items were acted on by the City Council, the Del City Municipal Services Authority (DCMSA) and the Del City Economic Development Authority (DCEDA).

Votes at a glance
- Planning commission appointment: The council approved the nomination and swore in Walter Jacks as a member of the Del City Planning Commission for a term \"not to exceed Sept. 1, 2028,\" after which the chair administered the oath. Vote: motion carried (ayes recorded). The council directed the appointee to sign required oaths and paperwork.
- IAFF collective bargaining agreement (FY26–FY28): Council approved entering into a collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 2171 (covering fiscal year 2026 through 2028) and authorized the mayor to endorse the agreement. Vote: Councilman Finch — Aye; Councilman Tatum — Aye; Councilman Brown — Aye; Councilman Dean — Aye; Mayor — Aye. Motion carries.
- Tyler Technologies: Time-and-attendance licensing module: The council approved adding a Tyler Technologies time-and-attendance module to the city’s Encode software licensing for an amount not to exceed $16,210 and authorized the mayor and/or city manager to endorse the purchase. Vote: unanimous (ayes recorded). Staff noted this is part of a multi-module Encode implementation.
- Mid State Traffic Control contract: Council approved a restated contract with Mid State Traffic Control for routine, preventive and emergency traffic-signal maintenance for the contract period 07/01/2025–06/30/2026 and authorized the mayor to endorse the contract. Vote: unanimous aye; motion carries.
- Recess / joint sessions: The council recessed to the Economic Development Authority and later to the Del City Municipal Services Authority for joint discussion on utilities and related items, then resumed the council meeting by motion and vote.
- DCEDA minutes and recognition: The Del City Economic Development Authority approved the minutes of its 08/04/2020 regular meeting and recognized Canaritos Taqueria (Cantoritos Taqueria) as the Dining in Del City recipient for September 2025 (presentation and ceremonial plaque).
- Emergency repair ratification (DCMSA): Trustees ratified the trust manager’s emergency authorization for repairs to residential truck no. 816, awarding work to J & R Equipment for an amount not to exceed $20,722.24 and authorized the trust chair to endorse necessary documentation. Vote: unanimous aye; motion carries.
- DCMSA: Time-and-attendance module purchase: The Municipal Services Authority approved the same Tyler Technologies time-and-attendance module/licensing (amount not to exceed $16,210) on the trust side; trustees voted to authorize trust chair or trust manager to endorse. Vote: unanimous aye.
- Executive session and litigation matters: The council recessed to executive session under Oklahoma statute (25 O.S. §307(B)(4) cited in the agenda text) to receive legal advice concerning pending claims, including the matters captioned Reich et al. v. City of Del City (Oklahoma County District Court CJ-20-23-5930) and Wright, NL v. City of Del City (CJ-20-23-59-30 referenced). After returning to open session the council voted on actions arising from the executive session; recorded votes were unanimous aye where specified.

What council said: Brief remarks accompanying the votes were largely ceremonial or brief acknowledgements of staff and the union negotiation team. The mayor and council thanked firefighters and staff on the collective bargaining agreement. The city also recognized local business participation in Dining in Del City.

What happens next: Contracts and purchase documents were authorized for signature by the mayor, city manager, trust chair or trust manager as specified. The council and authorities deferred detailed implementation or procurement follow-up to staff where required by purchasing rules.

Full action list (structured)
Refer to the actions array for motion text, mover/second (if present in the transcript), vote records and outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting 09-2-2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the meeting Del City leaders approved a three-year IAFF collective bargaining agreement, purchases of software modules for time-and-attendance, a traffic signal maintenance contract, ratified an emergency sanitation-truck repair, and confirmed other routine motions and minutes.","taxTitle","Del City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma","taxId",68873,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6478517,"Del City staff outline steep two-year utility rate increases, new street and drainage fees during council discussion",3804,3253000,7057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708829-99a30659f36f0fe7adbacbe674b84dc0&start=3253&end=7057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708829-99a30659f36f0fe7adbacbe674b84dc0/thumbnail_3253000.jpg","/articles/6478517/Del-City/Oklahoma-County/Oklahoma/Del-City-staff-outline-steep-two-year-utility-rate-increases-new-street-and-drainage-fees-during-council-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478517-66d16baa15b0a883fc317e1d0503e468/orig.mp4?Expires=1773543674&Signature=h0ubl5Z2Y9bUJXijNRpmzOlabg1I66tGTQwUsVDGlYzbZJt2XWg1NkjcWr9OUmzgp97NJ9jcpci8AMggJNN3aFhUS89yZYIv~F8MO6DNLjBSUCPtM9Xf~T3zC~rTL5KwdHTx6ujT3Vz4-hxJhDjTESwO9ySIvBpYkEEEjOruezQLP07llcDYzCjzfBJAlf7QSxW0hLOSrRSRoU2X7BWbSAKa45uUdS-uHbuFq9N9uSLMn5N1DziuqMb03mRBRC~wVDQLqK945lVYv4aS88Ru4ne~dj6wAFoRzcFBAs2qeCmGNCSX0JooNn~ZS~uNz-ARZp9sgq1jPd0deoMW4iEXTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Del City staff gave a detailed, discussion-only presentation proposing multi-year increases to water, sewer and sanitation rates, a new per-account street fee and several capital and drainage charges that city leaders say are needed to catch up on deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure.

The presentation, led by Britney (staff member), outlined a two-year plan under which the city would increase water rates by 50% in year one and another 31% in year two — a cumulative 96% rise on the water charge over two years — with the new rates proposed to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Staff also proposed a $2.50 monthly street fee assessed to utility accounts, a change to two billing cycles (from four), and a 40-day “catch-up” billing period this fall to align accounts with the new schedule.

Why it matters: City staff said current rates are well below neighboring jurisdictions and do not cover rising costs for materials, fuel, labor and capital replacement. Officials said the increases are intended to fund preventive maintenance, major water- and sewer-system projects, traffic-signal and street-lamp upkeep, and sanitation equipment replacement rather than leave repairs to become emergencies.

\"We are currently dealing with rising cost of materials, fuel, and labor,\" Britney told the council, adding that the city faces \"aging infrastructure that needs replaced\" and regulatory obligations from state and federal agencies. She said raising rates would allow the city to move from emergency repairs toward planned projects and capital budgeting.

Key proposals and financial details
- Water rates: Staff proposed making the monthly base rate cover the first 2,000 gallons, then increase usage charges. The example provided showed a residential account (3,000 gallons) rising from a current $65.70 total bill to $82.79 in year one and to $89.16 in year two (including other fee changes). Britney described the 50%/31% step increases as a way to catch up after no water rate increases since February 2020.
- Street fee: A $2.50 monthly fee per utility account, including accounts outside city limits, estimated to generate roughly $20,000 per month for street lighting, traffic-signal inspections/repairs and major resurfacing projects.
- Capital outlay fees: Water, sewer and sanitation capital outlay accounts would be increased to fund large equipment and infrastructure investments. For sanitation, staff gave an example: a new commercial collection truck currently quotes at minimum $350,000.
- Sanitation charges and penalties: The staff recommended reconsidering the missed-pickup (return) fee (currently $5 per cart) and noted landfill contract increases; staff suggested $10 per cart as a possible compromise. The monthly sanitation capital outlay example would rise from $1.50 to $2.10 (a 40% increase) under one proposal.
- Drainage fee: Staff proposed $2 per quarter-acre to fund stormwater infrastructure, with discussion about whether to cap charges for very large properties and how to treat paved versus unpaved lots.
- Billing-cycle changes: Staff recommended consolidating four billing cycles into two and implementing a 40-day billing cycle during October–December to reduce the current roughly six-week lag between meter reads and bill posting to about three weeks. Water usage for the 40-day period would be billed as actual usage; non-metered fees (sanitation, sewer, capital outlay, EMS) would be prorated for the additional days.
- Roll-off (container) pricing: Staff said Del City’s roll-off container rental prices (examples given: $150 for a 20-yard container, $200 for a 30-yard container) are well below market and are losing money; staff suggested raising fees but emphasized a desire to keep the service affordable for residents.

Council and staff discussion
Council members asked for comparisons to neighboring cities and more granular cost data. Britney said staff would provide comparative rate tables showing Midwest City and others and noted Midwest City had recently enacted large increases. She also told council that some neighboring cities use automatic annual increases tied to inflation or CPI for sewer or other utilities; Del City currently lacks an automatic escalation clause for water.

\"We are very, very much behind,\" Britney said in response to a council question about neighboring communities’ increases. Council members and staff discussed options for automatic annual adjustments, with some support for using an inflation-based index as many cities do.

Staff emphasized implementation steps and public outreach. Britney said a campaign would be needed to explain changes to customers, and staff recommended engaging the city’s PR firm to communicate the changes in a 30-day timeframe once council provides direction.

No vote taken; next steps
The council held the item as \"discussion only\" and did not adopt rates or fees. Council members asked staff to return with more comparative data, proposed wording for automatic adjustments, potential caps for large drainage charges, and a public-information plan. Staff proposed the new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and said an October–December catch-up billing would precede that date if the council moves forward.

The discussion also touched on related Municipal Services Authority items the council planned to finish jointly, and staff noted the proposal would require follow-up ordinance or resolution language and a public-notification campaign before implementation.","City staff presented proposed utility rate and fee changes that would raise water rates up to 96% over two years, add a $2.50 monthly street fee, change billing cycles and introduce capital outlay and drainage fees; council held discussion only and took no final vote.","actionData","errors"]

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At-a-glance: Del City council and authorities approve fire union pact, software modules, contracts and emergency repairs

Del City staff outline steep two-year utility rate increases, new street and drainage fees during council discussion