 One of the proposed projects on the list will replace a bridge on 23rd Street (County Line Road) between Omaha St. (51st St.) and Albany St. (61st St.) at a cost of $3,280,000.
The Broken Arrow City Council approved a bid to purchase $40 million in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022A at 3.413624 percent to BOK Financial Securities at its meeting on July 19.
In a presentation of the bids to the council, Jon Wolff of Municipal Finance Services said this $40 million bond sale is the largest issue General Obligation Bond sale that the City has done in the 20 years his organization has been working with Broken Arrow.
“You have about $33 million of that $40 million that is designated for street improvements throughout the City that are essential, and you’ll be able to get out and start working on those at costs that are in the near future, as opposed to further down the road,” Wolff said.
The bids opened at 11 a.m. on July 19, 2022, and four investment firms submitted proposals—Huntington Securities, Key Bank, The Baker Group, and BOK Financial Securities. Municipal Finance Services recommended awarding the sale to BOK Financial Securities, the lowest bidder.
For more on the GO Bond sale and to see a list of the proposed projects and costs, go to Council approves 2018 GO Bond Sale.
 The Lions Avenue Drainage Improvement project included replacing the existing stormwater pipes and inlets with greater capacity out flow structures in hopes of minimizing flooding to residents and businesses in the area.
With the summer's savage heat and the state in the middle of a drought, drainage issues haven't been a problem for a while. But eventually, the rain will come, and as the old Morton's Salt ad says, "When it rains, it pours."
Through General Obligation Bonds, the City allocates funds for drainage improvement projects, both named and unnamed.
"The named money is allocated for the five main drainage basins— Haikey Creek, Adams Creek, Broken Arrow Creek, Elm Creek, and Aspen Creek," Stormwater Division Manager Patrick Wilson said. "The unnamed funds can be spent on any basin and some smaller basins throughout the City."
Adams Creek has the largest per square mile of drainage area. And the Spunky Creek Basin in northeast Broken Arrow is an example of where some of the unnamed funds can be applied.
Broken Arrow voters approved Proposition 6 as a part of the 2018 General Obligation Bond, and it allows the City to spend public funds on private property.
However, there are two caveats to receiving this type of funding.
1. The City must have a vested interest in the project, such as an easement.
2. The project must have a public benefit.
Public benefit is not always easy to define, and that's where the Drainage Advisory Committee comes into play. To learn more about how to get help with drainage issues, go to Drainage issues addressed.
 Streets and Stormwater Director Rocky Henkel has been with the City of Broken Arrow since 2018. In addition to his role with the City, he will now serve as President of the Oklahoma American Public Works Association (APWA).
American Public WorksStreets and Stormwater Director Rocky Henkel began his public works career laying asphalt, pouring concrete, and working with his hands like those on his City of Broken Arrow crews.
"We provide an element of quality of life for our citizens, and knowing that I had a part in it, is meaningful to me," Henkel said. "Streets impact every single person in the city."
This month, Henkel became President of the Oklahoma American Public Works Association (APWA).
APWA is a not-for-profit organization that serves professionals in all aspects of public works and infrastructure.
Henkel is an APWA Oklahoma board member of the northeast branch and a 2020 graduate of the APWA Emerging Leaders Program. As Oklahoma APWA President, he will represent the state on a national committee that reviews relevant Public Works presentation topics for the 2023 APWA Public Works Expo held in San Diego.
For more about Henkel and how he went from a career in marketing to public works, go to City Director leads state organization.
 The Utilities Department implemented a Values Training Program through SGR that encourages the next generation of leaders to adopt the culture that has led to extraordinary retention rates in the division. From left Derriel Bynum, Stacy Thorton, Tom Kimbrough, David Marlow, Travis Schemonia, and Jerry Hanewinkel.
The Water Distribution Division has an enviable retention rate at the City of Broken Arrow. Wanting to keep that momentum going for years to come, the Utilities Department partnered with Strategic Government Resources (SGR) to provide leadership training for the utilities and crew supervisors.
“HR [Human Resources] conducted ‘stay interviews’ with the Water Distribution Department in 2021 and looked at why there is such a high retention rate in the Water Distribution Division,” Assistant Utilities Director Stacy Thornton said. “Nobody quits, why? That’s a hard job.”
By interviewing the people in the department, they found that the department's culture keeps employees over the long term.
“These guys have my back, we look out for each other, we’re friends outside of work, we know what we are doing is important, it’s all part of that culture,” Thornton said. “It’s imperative that we don’t lose that culture. So as the older guys retire and the new guys move up, how do we keep that culture and have it permeate?”
Which led to the Values Training through SGR. SGR helps local governments develop leaders within their organizations. For more on the City's culture, go to Culture leads to high retention rate.
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