Broken Arrow council approves fee increases, firefighter contract and several construction and zoning items; hears transit and public-safety survey updates

The Broken Arrow City Council approved a slate of financial, staffing and development measures at its meeting and heard updates on microtransit, a public-safety survey and tourism events.

Council voted to adopt a revised manual of fees for fiscal 2026 that includes utility rate increases tied to a consultant rate study; approved a two‑year collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 2551; authorized a Jacobs Engineering amendment to refine bond project estimates and renderings; and awarded a residential street asphalt repair contract to the lowest responsible bidder. The council also approved several rezoning and planned‑unit‑development items and moved forward on administrative ordinances addressing trespass/camping on private and public property and billboard leases on city property.

The fee and utility changes were presented as part of Resolution No. 1680. City staff said the average increase for a 7,000‑gallon‑per‑month household would equal about $12.69 (roughly a 9.7 percent average increase across water, sewer, stormwater and solid‑waste). Finance staff cited rising tipping and recycling costs as key drivers; staff recommended the resolution for council adoption and the council approved it with the effective date set for Oct. 1.

The council approved the IAFF Local 2551 memorandum of understanding, a two‑year agreement covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027. Human resources staff summarized changes that include a 4 percent wage increase effective July 1, 2025 (2 percent for battalion chiefs because of a reclassification to nonexempt status), an additional 4 percent across the board effective July 1, 2026, modest step adjustments, an annual cap on shift trades beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and phased increases to the city insurance contribution (3 percent in 2025 and 3 percent in 2026). Justin Sharp, president of IAFF Local 2551, told the council the membership supported the agreement: “the members supported it and we're, we appreciate you guys taking that up today.”

On capital‑planning support, the council approved Amendment No. 2 to the Jacobs Engineering consultant agreement (contract 25‑1037) to move from a high‑level inventory to more detailed cost estimates and conceptual renderings for the proposed 2026 general obligation bond package. Charlie Bright, director of engineering and construction, said the amendment will fund the consultant work needed for marketing exhibits and refined estimates ahead of final bond sizing.

The council awarded the residential street asphalt repair and resurfacing (College Edition Phase 1, project ST24170) to Cherokee Pride Construction Inc., the apparent low bidder, with staff citing a total low bid of approximately $573,022.92 and an engineer's estimate of $643,634. Staff recommended award and the council approved the contract.

Planning items approved included BAZ002238‑2025, a rezoning for approximately 6.45 acres for Harvest Church from A‑1 agricultural to CG commercial general; the applicant and a Harvest Church member spoke in favor and the council approved the rezoning. Council also adopted zoning amendments associated with previously approved PUDs and plats (ordinances 3886 and 3889), and approved an ordinance (3884) that provides an exception to the billboard prohibition to allow privately owned billboard signs on city property subject to lease and ODOT requirements.

Legal and enforcement items advanced. The council authorized the city attorney to file a district court action to abate a nuisance at 21410 E. 308th St. S. (Resolution No. 1686) after prior abatement proceedings and a hearing; it also approved a journal entry of judgment to foreclose the city's right to reopen an unused waterline easement (Resolution No. 1687).

Council previewed and approved administrative ordinances. Trevor (city attorney) summarized proposed changes to streamline trespass enforcement on private property and to require written permission for camping on private land; he said the change “streamlines that process” so police can request and verify written authorization. Human resources previewed proposed amendments to background‑check language to make discretion available when applicants show older misdemeanors. The council also adopted Ordinance No. 3883 to reimburse certain LifeRide subscribers for ambulance charges when mutual‑aid ambulances transport subscribers through no fault of their own; the city manager may authorize up to $1,500 or 40 percent of the bill for eligible, uninsured participants.

Staff updates: Rocky Hinkle, community development director, reported on the Broken Arrow Micro Transit pilot. He said the on‑demand, curb‑to‑curb program (launched March 18, 2024 in partnership with Metrolink/formerly Tulsa Transit) recorded 4,575 rides from February through July (an average of about 183 passengers per week). Phase‑3 expansion preferences from a city survey favored weekend hours (Saturday/Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.) and an expanded service area; Hinkle said Tulsa Transit currently lacks drivers to staff the expansion and the city is working with HR on options, including using city drivers or temporary hires. On public safety, Aaron presented results from a three‑week micro survey conducted in June; “we received 2,210 responses,” he said, and staff noted generally strong positive ratings for police, fire and emergency services. Aaron also reported that the South Broken Arrow library survey had surpassed 2,500 responses and runs through Aug. 18.

Tourism staff and community partners reported event results. Michaela Barton, tourism manager, said Visit Broken Arrow won two marketing awards at the Oklahoma Tourism Conference and thanked council support. Tiffany Shepherd of the Broken Arrow Chamber said Rooster Days drew a little over 41,000 attendees this year; the city contributes $20,000 annually from Visit Broken Arrow funds toward the festival's marketing.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 1680 (FY2026 manual of fees: approved); Jacobs Engineering Amendment (25‑1037: approved); award to Cherokee Pride Construction for ST24170 (approved); BAZ002238‑2025 (Harvest Church rezoning: approved); IAFF Local 2551 MOU (approved); Resolution No. 1686 (nuisance abatement filing: approved); Resolution No. 1687 (easement judgment: approved); Ordinance No. 3883 (LifeRide reimbursement: adopted); Ordinance No. 3884 (billboard exception on city property: adopted); Ordinances 3886 and 3889 (zoning/PUD associated ordinances: adopted). Where the transcript did not record a full roll‑call tally, staff noted only that the measure was approved; vote tallies were not specified in the meeting record.

Why it matters: The fee and rate changes affect household utility bills and municipal revenue assumptions as the city finalizes its proposed bond package and capital projects. The IAFF agreement affects public‑safety staffing costs and station planning; Jacobs' work will shape the bond package public materials. Microtransit and the public‑safety survey provide data that will inform operational and communication decisions ahead of a fall public outreach schedule for the bond program.

What’s next: City staff will refine bond project cost estimates, hold three public bond forums this month and in September, continue work to staff microtransit weekend pilots, and post detailed public‑safety survey results on the city website. Several ordinances will return for final adoption where only previews were held.

Ending note: Councilors thanked departments and volunteers for event support, encouraged resident participation in upcoming surveys and public forums, and signaled further action on station design and bond timing related to the firefighter agreement.