City of Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City Council, Community Service Council (CSC) and CSC’s Oklahoma Veteran Alliance recognized 10 companies from across Oklahoma City today for becoming Veteran Employer Champions. The companies recognized include: - Arvest Bank. - BOK Financial. - Cox Communications. - Harrison Energy Partners. - Lowe’s Home Improvement. - Oklahoma Employment Security Commission – Veteran Services. - Oklahoma Veterans United. - ONE Gas. - ONEOK, Inc. - Volunteers of America. “Oklahoma City is a community that supports veterans, and OKC is a destination for veterans. As such, it’s vital that there are robust employment opportunities,” Mayor David Holt said. “We honor and recognize the organizations within our city that are dedicated to creating a supportive workplace for our veterans. Their commitment ensures those who served our country feel valued and empowered in OKC." The Veteran Employer Network was formed to connect and grow a network of employers committed to recruiting, hiring, and developing veterans in the workforce. Employers who complete the annual Veteran Employer Network Champion Survey and fulfill all seven benchmarks are eligible to be recognized as Veteran Employer Champions. In 2024, 50 surveys covered 32 industries across 11 cities and represented over 26,243 employees in Oklahoma. “We are so proud to have Mayor Holt and the City of Oklahoma City recognize the nine employers in the Oklahoma City region that earned the 2024 Veteran Employer Champion status,” CEO of Oklahoma Veterans United Rachel Runfola said. “All of these employers have demonstrated their commitment to making their organizations Veteran Ready They have created a culture where Veteran staff and their families can thrive. It’s an honor to join with Mayor Holt and his team in celebrating these employers.” To become recognized as a Veteran Employer Champion, companies must meet seven benchmarks, including: - Veteran recruitment, hiring and retention. - Active Veteran engagement with onboarding, Veteran Employee - - Resource Group or buddy program. - Support for Veteran community programs and events. - Veteran-specific resources and support for employees. - Executive sponsor leading Veteran strategies. - Provide support for Guard and Reserve beyond Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). - Create opportunities for Veterans/Military Members to show their pride. Veteran Employer Champion Survey partners include the City of Oklahoma City, Community Service Council, DR Consulting and Oklahoma Veteran Alliance. Individuals, companies or organizations interested in joining the Veteran Employer Champion Network can contact Mark Morgan, Executive Community Liaison for CSC’s Oklahoma Veteran Connections and Oklahoma Veteran Alliance, at [email protected].

Today on #NationalFirstRespondersDay, we honor the brave men and women who protect and serve our community. From police officers and firefighters to paramedics and dispatchers, thank you for your dedication to Oklahoma City.

Candidates may file Dec. 2-4, 2024, to run for the?Oklahoma City Council?seats in Wards 1, 3, 4 and 7. Voting in the?general election?is set for Feb. 11, 2025. The nonpartisan election will decide who represents those Wards on the Council for the next four-year term. See a Ward map at?okc.gov/WardMap. How the election proceeds in each Ward depends on the number of candidates: - If only one qualified candidate files to run, that candidate is automatically elected to office. - If two qualified candidates file to run, the winner of the general election on Feb. 11 is elected to office. - If three or more qualified candidates file to run, the general election on Feb. 11 determines whether a runoff on April 1 is necessary. - If a candidate earns more than half of the votes on Feb. 11, he or she is elected to office. No runoff is necessary. - If no candidate earns more than half of the votes on Feb. 11, the two candidates with the most votes advance to the April 1 runoff. The runoff winner is elected to office. The City Council has nine members: the?Mayor, elected citywide, and one member from each of Oklahoma City’s eight Wards. They serve part-time as the head of the City’s?Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor’s annual salary is $24,000, and each Council member’s is $12,000. All voters in Wards 1,3, 4 and 7 are eligible to vote in the election. Candidate information Candidates for Oklahoma City Council must be: - A U.S. citizen. - At least 21 years old. - A resident of, and registered voter in, the Ward they are running for at least one year before the election. Candidates are required to file their declaration of candidacy and filing fee or a petition signed by 500 registered voters with the?Oklahoma County Election Board,?4201 N Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5210, (405) 713-1515. Candidates may file their statement of organization for a campaign committee with the City Clerk anytime. However, it must be filed within 10 days after the candidate accepts or spends more than $1,000 on their campaign. A statement of organization is not needed if the candidate does not accept or spend more than $1,000. Candidates may call the?City Clerk?at (405) 297-2397 or email?[email protected]?or visit the?election page on okc.gov for details.

The City of Oklahoma City is seeking input from residents as it plans for a general obligation (GO) bond election in fall 2025, in which voters decide to fund major infrastructure projects across the city. GO bonds are the City’s most important tool to fund major infrastructure projects like building or rebuilding streets, bridges, parks, police and fire facilities, sidewalks and more. Bond projects have been used since before statehood to pay for the City’s critical infrastructure and are determined based street and bridge ratings, planning studies, the City Council’s priorities, operating impact and resident survey results. There are many ways people can provide input on what should be included in the 2025 bond package: Visit okc.gov/GO People can visit?okc.gov/GO,?drop a pin on the interactive map to show locations where improvements are needed. Organize a meeting Gather your neighborhood, club or group and use the City’s downloadable tool kit to collect, share and submit ideas about what you think should be included in the bond.?Email?[email protected]?to get your toolkit. Attend a bond engagement workshop OKC?Councilmembers?will host come-and-go workshops in each ward, where people can speak directly with City staff about their needs and priorities. One workshop will be offered in Spanish. Residents who need accommodation during a workshop can contact?[email protected]. People can attend any workshop they want. October 17?from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ward 1, Healthy Living OKC 11501 N Rockwell Ave. October 21?from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ward 7, Willa Johnson Recreation Center 909 Frederick Douglass Ave. October 22?from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Ward 3, OKC Outlets Food Court 7624 W Reno Ave. October 28?from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ward 6, Downtown Library Friends Room 300 Park Ave. October 29?from 6 – 8 p.m. Ward 8, NW Library 5600 NW 122nd St. November 4?from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Latino Community Development Agency This workshop will be offered in Spanish 420 SW 10th St. November 12?from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wards 4 and 5, Pete White Health and Wellness Center 4021 S Walker Ave. November 19?from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ward 2, Oklahoma City University Tom & Brenda McDaniel University Center 2501 N Blackwelder Ave. “The 2025 bond package will fund basic needs and critical infrastructure every community needs for stability, growth and safety,” City Manager Craig Freeman said. “Since 2017 when the last bond program was approved, we have been gathering input from residents in a variety of ways to learn about neighborhood and community needs. While we can’t meet every need across OKC’s 621 miles with a single GO bond election, we’re asking residents to help us identify priorities.” To find more ways to get involved or host a meeting,?click here: https://lnkd.in/gJGb2vSy.

Are you interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission (HRC)? We’re looking for dedicated, compassionate residents to join the Commission. If you live in Ward 2, 4, 6 or 8 and are interested in being considered to be appointed, fill out this form: https://lnkd.in/gUAS3ce7 ? The HRC is a nine-member municipal commission that serves Oklahoma City residents in human rights matters. It is empowered to educate the public about human rights and act for the benefit of all residents to eliminate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, age, familial status, genetic information or disability in employment, housing and public accommodations.

City Manager Craig Freeman has named Jesse Rush administrator of the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) and Director of the City of Oklahoma City’s Public Transportation and Parking Department. Rush replaces Jason Ferbrache, who has served in a dual role as an Assistant City Manager and the Public Transportation and Parking Director since 2022. Ferbrache will continue in his role as Assistant City Manager. “Jesse understands the critical role public transportation plays in the lives of metro area residents,” City Manager Craig Freeman said. “He has the skills to lead?transit?through another period of growth as we add two more?bus rapid transit lines?over the next few years through?MAPS 4, launch micro transit options and implement?OKC Moves, our fixed route bus transformation plan.” Rush helped grow the Public Transportation and Parking Department by overseeing the design, construction and implementation of Oklahoma City’s first Streetcar (OKC Streetcar) and Bus Rapid Transit system (RAPID?NW). Rush began his City career in 2014 as a project manager in the MAPS office overseeing the OKC Streetcar project. In February 2017, he became the City’s first streetcar manager, where he oversaw the construction of the streetcar track design, overhead catenary system, 22 streetcar stations, storage and maintenance facility and more. In 2020, he was promoted to Assistant Director in Public Transportation and Parking, where he was responsible for EMBARK’s operations, maintenance, parking, safety, capital projects, Oklahoma River Cruises and the OKC Streetcar. “Public transportation is one of the most important services Oklahoma City provides its residents,” COTPA Chair Barney Semtner said. “Jesse has the leadership skills required to help us continue growing a transportation system that is accessible to everyone.” Rush has been a member of the Oklahoma Transit Association since 2019 and served as board president in 2021. “I am committed to our vision of providing world-class transportation that is accessible to all, and all want to access it,” Rush said.

What makes the City of Oklahoma City the only municipality in Forbes Top 35 Best Employers in the state of Oklahoma? Could it be the City's total compensation package? https://lnkd.in/gTEHnVPC Could it be the way we invest in City employees through tuition reimbursement, free eLearning and in-person professional development, performance management, and access to an Employee Assistance Program? Or could it be the amazing group of people that bring their best to the City every day? Public service can be incredibly rewarding. If you want to work in a community where you know what you do matters alongside other dedicated individuals that serve with HeaRt, check out our openings at okc.gov/careers. Invest in a career with an organization that will invest in you. #WorkForOKC https://lnkd.in/g8MBCf8r

Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman?announced the selection of Ron C. Bacy as Oklahoma City’s 51st police chief, effective immediately. Bacy has been an Oklahoma City police officer for 32 years and served as one of the?Police Department’s five?Deputy Chiefs. He succeeds former Police Chief Wade Gourley, who retired after 35 years with OKCPD, five years as chief. “Chief Bacy is a strategic planner, collaborative problem solver and proven leader,” City Manager Craig Freeman said. “He cares deeply about our community and is committed to implementing the recommendations of?the Public Safety Partnership?by continuing to modernize the Police Department in areas like de-escalation, use of force and crisis intervention. He is passionate about serving all residents.” Bacy will oversee 1,235 uniformed officer positions and 558 other professional staff member positions, as well as the Police Department’s $286 million budget. “Oklahoma City has some of the best police officers in the nation,” Chief Bacy said. “I’m humbled to serve as chief, and I look forward to building relationships in our community and finding innovative ways to address areas of mutual concern. I’m dedicated to continuing Chief Gourley’s work to expand resources for residents experiencing a mental health crisis, to leverage technology to enhance police services and continue to foster wellness initiatives for employees.” Chief Bacy will report to Jason Ferbrache, one of Oklahoma City’s four assistant city managers. They report to the?City Manager, who is the chief administrative officer of the City’s?Council-Manager form of government. About Chief Bacy Bacy, 54, graduated from Del City High School. He received his bachelor's degree in law enforcement management and administration from the University of Oklahoma and a master's degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. Bacy began his career in 1992 as a patrol officer in the Springlake Division. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2002 and served in the Santa Fe and Springlake patrol divisions, where he was also a field training officer supervisor, Emergency Response Team supervisor and on-call public information officer. He later served in the Training and Special Investigations Divisions. He was promoted to captain in 2010 and held assignments in the Operations Bureau, the Investigations Bureau and the Office of Professional Standards. In 2019, Bacy was promoted to major and assigned to the Southwest Division. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2021 and assigned to the Operations Bureau. He now oversees Investigations. Bacy also served as a member of the Oklahoma City Law Enforcement Policy Task Force and the Oklahoma City Community Policing Working Group. Learn more about Chief Bacy and the selection process here: https://lnkd.in/gB_MVPvi.

Rollin' on the river. Between trash removal and dam maintenance, upkeep of the Oklahoma River is a full-time job. In this episode of #HiddenHeroes, Kevin Lewis, the man behind the boat, discusses the sheer volume of debris the Public Works team clears out of the river.

The community is invited to attend a panel on housing in OKC as part of the Human Rights Commission's July 24 meeting. The panel, titled “Human Rights in Housing: Fairness, Security, and Solutions in OKC,” and the HRC meeting will be held at 6 p.m. July 24 at ReMerge, 823 N Villa Ave. The event is open to all ages. “We are thrilled to have this much-needed conversation on housing and evictions in our communities,” Ward 2 HRC Commissioner Cindy Nguyen said. “According to Shelterwell, Oklahoma has the?6th highest eviction rate?in the nation with one of the shortest eviction timelines. The shortage of fair housing and the skyrocketing cost of living impacts us all. We hope you can join us for this conversation.” Panelists include: - Jamie Caves from the?Key to Home Partnership. - Mary Dulan from the?Metropolitan Fair Housing Council of Oklahoma. - Katie Dilks from the?Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation. For more information, contact the HRC Compliance Officer at?[email protected]. About Oklahoma City’s Human Rights Commission The?Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission?meets every other month and is responsible for addressing alleged harm to people who have been discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, age, familial status, genetic information, or disability related to employment, housing, and public accommodations as provided by Oklahoma laws regarding discrimination.