Residents can weigh in on OKC’s proposed 2026 budget through May 19
04/29/2025
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Link to proposed budget book
Link to budget overview
An overview of Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman’s proposed budget and Public Transportation and Parking, Development Services and Parks and Recreation budgets was presented to Oklahoma City Council on April 29.
Public Works, Utilities, and the Fire Department’s budgets are scheduled for budget presentations on May 13.
Planning, Police and Airports are expected to present their proposals on May 27.
Budget adoption is scheduled for June 3.
Residents are invited to review a copy of the proposed budget book and submit comments by May 19.
Ways to comment:
The City Council meetings can be watched live and recorded on the City’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/cityofokc.
“This is the second year in a row that sluggish revenue growth triggered a budget reduction,” City Manager Craig Freeman said. “Despite this, I’m encouraged that departments could make adjustments to stay within available resources while continuing to focus on services for our residents.”
Due to slow revenue growth, the Police Department and Fire Department were directed to propose a 1.5% budget reduction, and most other City departments proposed a 4.5% reduction.
Budget Overview
The operating budget pays for day-to-day operations and is $930 million.
The proposed budget includes funding for 5,090 full-time positions, a decrease of 27 from FY 25.
Budget highlights
Fire Department
- Deletes 15 vacant uniform positions, removing the 2nd engine from station 1 from service.
- Adds two Recovery Support Specialists and two Mobile Integrated Health Responders to further implement the Alternative Response Team Program.
- Adds one Human Resources Business Partner to support employee training and related needs.
- Adds $1.7 million for a new fire station and remodeling costs from the Fire Sales Tax Fund.
Police Department
- Freezes 20 vacant uniform positions.
- Adds $8.6 million in funding toward capital construction and additional funding for services and supplies from the Police Sales Tax Fund.
Municipal Court
- Deletes Lead Customer Service Representative.
- Deletes Office Clerk and Municipal Court Clerk.
- Deletes two Senior Customer Service Representatives.
Public Works
- Deletes a net of 2 vacant positions.
- Office Administrator from Traffic Services.
- Construction Project Manager from the Infrastructure Program.
Development Services
- Deletes 2 vacant positions.
- Code Technician from the Plan Review Program.
- Lead Customer Service Representative from the Permits and Licensing Program.
Public Transportation and Parking
- $1.4 million in savings achieved by insourcing the operation and maintenance of the Streetcar.
- Elimination of route 019 achieves $270,690 savings.
- Reduction of Route 024 creates $148,353 in savings.
Utilities
- Adds 2 Facilities & Plant Mechanic II positions.
- Increases the services and supplies budget by $2.1 million.
Parks and Recreation
- Deletes net of 2 vacant positions from the Recreation Program.
- Deletes 1 vacant Municipal Accountant.
- Decreases athletic field maintenance supplies by $255,209.
- Decreases contract labor in the Grounds Management Division by $245,000.
- Decreases Public-Private Partnership support with Myriad Gardens, Scissortail Park, and First Americans Museum by $515,123.
General Services
- Deletes net of 2 positions.
- Building Maintenance Mechanic.
- Fuel Systems Technician.
Finance
- Deletes a vacant Training and Safety Specialist in Risk Management.
- Deletes a vacant Municipal Accountant II in Accounting.
Human Resources
- Deletes a vacant Public Information and Marketing Specialist in the Talent Acquisition program.
Municipal Counselor’s Office
- Deletes a vacant Legal Secretary II position.
Funding
Oklahoma City’s largest single source of revenue is sales tax, which pays for day-to-day services. Every time people shop in Oklahoma City or buy something online, they invest in our community.
The City gets 4.125% of taxable sales made in Oklahoma City or when people from Oklahoma City buy something online. Of that, 2.25% goes to the General Fund that pays for day-to-day operations. About 60% of the General Fund goes to our Police and Fire Departments.
Police and Fire also have a dedicated public safety sales tax of ¾ of a cent. The OKC Zoo gets 1/8th of a cent, and finally, there’s the MAPS 4 temporary penny sales tax.
The City also gets about 13% of residents’ total property tax bill. OKC’s share pays off the general obligation bonds we use for bond projects in the Better Streets, Safer City program. That funds improvements to streets, parks, Police and Fire facilities and other needs for the next several years. Check them out at okc.gov/BetterSafer. The rest of people’s property tax goes elsewhere – public schools, libraries, vocational schools and the county government.
Another significant source of tax revenue is the hotel tax, which is charged on hotel room stays. This tax is dedicated to promoting tourism and capital improvements at the OKC Fairgrounds.
The City also gets some revenue from franchise fees, building permits, business licenses, fines, service charges and fees. Visit okc.gov/tax for an overview of our revenue.
Budget background
The budget is guided by feedback received from the annual resident survey results. Information from the survey also helps the City Council set priorities. Those priorities are:
- Promote safe, secure and thriving neighborhoods.
- Develop a transportation system that works for all residents.
- Maintain strong financial management.
- Enhance recreational opportunities and community wellness.
- Encourage a robust local economy.
- Uphold high standards for all City services.
- Continue to pursue social and criminal justice reforms.
Find your Council member’s contact information at okc.gov/council. Visit okc.gov/WardMap to see who represents you. Find Council agendas, including instructions on how to watch or sign up to speak for meetings held by teleconference, at okc.gov/agenda.
The budget process begins each February with a City Council budget workshop. The budget hearings in the spring and budget adoption in June finish the budget process every year. When necessary, the Council adopts amendments to the budget in the middle of the fiscal year.
Visit okc.gov/agenda for City Council meeting agendas, including instructions on how to sign up to speak.
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Media Contact: Kristy Yager, (405) 297-2550, kristy.yager@okc.gov
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City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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