City of Broken Arrow

City of Broken Arrow recognized by the Tulsa Area United Way The City of Broken Arrow, as an organization, received the Green Country Business Award from the Tulsa Area United Way at the?Live United Awards on March 18. Vice Mayor Johnnie Parks and Councilors Lisa Ford and David Pickel attended the awards luncheon to receive the recognition on behalf of the city. “I thought it was a very nice award and made me feel good,” said Vice Mayor Johnnie Parks. “We have a lot of nonprofit organizations that benefit from the United Way. So, I think it is important that we are involved.” “There were over 900 people in attendance at the award luncheon,” Councilor Ford said. “You’re right; we have a lot of good agencies that benefit from the United Way—Broken Arrow Neighbors, Broken Arrow Seniors, A New Leaf, the Salvation Army, the YMCA, Youth Services of Tulsa, and LIFE Senior Services.” In 2024, City employees increased their total fundraising drive contributions by 11 percent over 2023. City employees also participate in the annual Day of Caring event by volunteering and engaging in community service. In 2024, they painted the interior of the Broken Arrow Senior Center, including the front hallway and a large multi-purpose room. Additionally, they cleaned carpets in several rooms and prepared transitional bags for Broken Arrow Neighbors clients who lack access to a stove or microwave. Members of the Employee Events Committee— Amanda Watkins, Matthew Aldrich, Kaci Barnett, Edith Finnell, Kimberle Goldsmith, Leann Leiker, Shari Michalski, Makala Neeley, Morgan Neeley, Cheryl Owens, Kyle Parks, Tracie Sanchez, Lori Hill and Jamie Stafford organized the Day of Caring events and got an early start on the fundraising campaign. They made giving easy with an online donation center, hosted a bowl-a-thon, organized a gift basket auction with items donated by department employees, and coordinated a chili cookoff. The United Way commended the City of Broken Arrow for valuing the importance of the United Way’s mission and its nonprofit partners' endeavoring to improve the lives of neighbors in need.

David Heard is a long-time Broken Arrow resident and a nine-year City of Broken Arrow employee who drives a street sweeper truck. This unassuming patriot stopped his vehicle on his daily route when he saw a flag blowing in the wind on the ground. "The flag is a symbol of our country," Heard said. "It's a symbol of freedom and strength. I wanted to make sure it wasn't lying on the ground," he said. David picked up the flag, gently rolled it around its flagpole, and placed it on the owner's front porch. The homeowner saw David returning the flag on his Ring doorbell camera and said, "The City of Broken Arrow has a real patriot working for them. The wind broke my flagpole, and Dave saw it lying on the driveway and picked up Old Glory. Thank you, Dave." David was recognized at the Broken Arrow City Council meeting on March 18th for his efforts.

Broken Arrow City Council attending NLC Conference The Broken Arrow City Council is traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference March 8-12. While in the Nation’s Capital, the Councilors will meet with the Oklahoma Congressional delegation to advocate for policies that will significantly impact Broken Arrow residents. Priority areas of support: ~Local and domestic energy policies ~Redirecting funds identified as wasteful in Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audits to capital improvement grant opportunities ~Public Safety ~Funding for water and sewer distribution improvements ~Direct funding from the federal government to municipalities ~Future funding for improving interchanges at Elm Place/SH-51 and Lynn Lane/SH-51 ~Proper disposal of rechargeable batteries to mitigate fire hazards and waste stream pollution ~Policies to reduce historic levels of inflation ~Efforts to safeguard election integrity Priority areas of opposition: ~Federal government nationalizing elections ~Federal overreach of local zoning “As Mayor of Broken Arrow, it is my privilege to speak to our elected officials on behalf of our residents and advocate for national policies that impact our city,” said Mayor Debra Wimpee. “That is the beauty of our representative form of government. We get to make our voices heard from Broken Arrow to Washington, D.C. I appreciate our city sending us there on their behalf, and I appreciate the National League of Cities providing a vehicle for engagement.” In addition to meeting with the City’s Congressional delegation, the Councilors serve on several public policy committees at the National League of Cities. Mayor Debra Wimpee serves on the NLC Executive Board, the Membership Committee, the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, the Women in Municipal Government Committee, and the First Tier Suburbs Committee. Vice Mayor Johnnie Parks serves on the Energy, Environment, and National Resources Federal Advocacy Committee. Councilor Lisa Ford chairs the First Tier Suburbs Council and is the First Vice President of the Women in Municipal Government Conference. She also serves on the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee and the Local Indigenous Leaders Caucus. Councilor Justin Green serves on the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee. And as the City's newest council member, this will be the first year for Councilor David Pickel to attend the NLC.

“The Broken Arrow City Council fully supports the passage of Oklahoma Senate Bill 701,” which would allow Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow to become a traditional four-year university, according to Resolution No. 1633, which the Council unanimously approved on Feb. 25. SB701 advanced from the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 25 by an 11-0 vote. Authored by Sen. John Haste and coauthored by Sen. Christi Gillespie and Sen. Julie McIntosh, the bill authorizes the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to make lower-division and upper-division undergraduate and graduate course offerings available at the Northeastern State University Broken Arrow campus, 3100 E. New Orleans St. Securing a four-year university has been a 35-year endeavor for the City of Broken Arrow. The City requests that the Oklahoma Legislature pass SB701 and that Gov. Kevin Stitt sign the bill into law.

The City Council is taking Broken Arrow's values to the nation's capital and impacting public policy through leadership roles and participation in the National League of Cities (NLC). NLC is an organization comprised of leaders from municipal governments across the country dedicated to improving the quality of life for current and future residents. Recently, the organization announced the leadership and committee appointments for 2025, with Broken Arrow City Councilors taking on significant roles. Pictured from left: Councilor Lisa Ford (Ward 2), Councilor Justin Green (Ward 4), Vice Mayor Johnnie Parks (At Large), and Mayor Debra Wimpee (Ward 1). https://lnkd.in/gvviXXek

Congratulations to Emily Rowland! The City of Broken Arrow Environmental Division Manager has received the 'Emerging Leader Award' from the Oklahoma Water Environment Association. Emily has been with the City of Broken Arrow for six years and is the youngest division manager in the Engineering and Construction Department. In addition to her responsibilities at the City of Broken Arrow, Rowland serves as the OWEA Board President. In this role, she coordinates monthly meetings, plans the organization's conferences and quarterly meetings, writes articles for OWEA's magazine "Splash," and participates in annual training. Engineering and Construction Director Charlie Bright said Emily is a worthy recipient of this award. "Miss Rowland is extremely driven and passionate about environmental advocacy and education. Her exceptional work ethic and dedication make her stand out among her peers," Bright said. Emily is a lifelong Broken Arrow resident and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. We appreciate her dedication to serving the community!

The City of Broken Arrow is helping the City of Nowata following a catastrophic fire that burned their Public Works Facility and torched seven vehicles, two backhoes, an excavator, a sewer truck, and several mowers by providing a 2007 Kubota excavator to the community of 3,500.

We had the pleasure of welcoming our newest team members to the City of Broken Arrow at the Quarterly New Employee Luncheon! We’re thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the amazing contributions they’ll bring to our community.

The City of Broken Arrow has officially welcomed Chief Lance Arnold to lead its 160 officers and 75 professional staff members who support the mission of the Broken Arrow Police Department. Nearly 300 people witnessed Arnold take the oath of office administered by Presiding Judge Dennis Sagely in a swearing-in ceremony at the Broken Arrow High School Event Center on Jan. 7. "I couldn't be happier and more honored to be standing before you today," Arnold said. "I'm so honored to carry on your commitment to public safety and ensure that public safety remains the bedrock of a thriving community." For more, go to

The Broken Arrow City Council has appointed David Pickel as the new Council member for Ward 3. Pickel says he is an insurance agency owner with over 20 years of involvement in the Broken Arrow community. “With a deep commitment to our community and a strong belief in the power of local governance, I am eager to bring my experience, dedication, passion, and vision to this role,” Pickel said. “I am excited about the opportunity to engage with constituents, listen to their concerns, and work together to develop solutions that reflect our shared values and aspirations.” The City Council appointed Pickel at their regular meeting on Dec. 17 from nine candidates who met the eligibility criteria. They had weighed the options of appointing someone to fill the seat until the next general election on April 1, 2025 or leaving the seat open until then.