Meeting Summary
The Bartlesville City Council held a special meeting to approve several ordinances and resolutions related to a special election on February 10, 2026. These measures include the issuance of general obligation bonds for city improvements and the extension of existing sales taxes for economic development and capital improvements. Additionally, the council approved the extension of the unsheltered homeless task force and established a retirement fund for police K9s.
Key Decisions & Votes
Ordinance 3610 - General Obligation Bonds
05:50Approved an ordinance authorizing a special election on February 10, 2026, for the issuance of up to $18 million in general obligation bonds for firefighting apparatus, street improvements, and parks/recreational facilities.
Emergency Clause for Ordinance 3610
12:50Approved an emergency clause for Ordinance 3610 to ensure its immediate effectiveness for filing with the county election board.
Ordinance 3611 - Extension of 1/4 Cent Sales Tax for Economic Development
15:00Approved an ordinance extending the 1/4 cent sales tax for economic development for an additional five years, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031.
Resolution 3757 - Calling Election for Ordinance 3611
17:40Approved a resolution authorizing the special election on February 10, 2026, for the approval or rejection of Ordinance 3611, with an amendment to correct language regarding specific projects.
Ordinance 3612 - Extension of 1/2 Cent Sales Tax for CIP
21:00Approved an ordinance extending the 1/2 cent sales tax for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for an additional five years, through June 30, 2031.
Resolution 3758 - Calling Election for Ordinance 3612
23:00Approved a resolution authorizing the special election on February 10, 2026, for the approval or rejection of Ordinance 3612, with an amendment to correct language.
Extension of Unsheltered Homeless Task Force
24:30Approved a resolution to extend the Unsheltered Homeless Task Force through July 31, 2026, to continue addressing homelessness and overseeing the rollout of new ordinances.
Establishment of Police K9 Retirement Fund
37:00Approved the establishment of a police K9 retirement fund to provide financial assistance for retired police dogs and their adopted owners, covering veterinary care and other related expenses, with an annual budget allocation of up to $6,000 and seeking donations.
Financial Matters
General Obligation Bonds
Proposed bond issuance for firefighting apparatus, street improvements, and parks/recreational facilities, subject to voter approval.
Extension of 1/4 Cent Sales Tax
Extension of an existing sales tax to fund economic development programs.
Extension of 1/2 Cent Sales Tax
Extension of an existing sales tax to fund Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
Police K9 Retirement Fund
Annual budget allocation for the K9 retirement fund, supplemented by donations, to cover veterinary care and other expenses for retired police dogs.
Coming Up
Deadlines
- Special Election: February 10, 2026
- New ordinances for homelessness take effect: January 1, 2026
Watch For
- Rollout of ordinances related to homelessness
- Development of Community Court by Judge Ginch
- Progress of the Charity Tracker software implementation
- Future fundraising efforts for the Police K9 Retirement Fund
Announcements
- Free yard debris collection day started December 8, 2025, and continues on normal collection days (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday).
- Public input is sought for the Land Development Code via the cityofbartlesville.org website.
Agenda Summary
Invocation
Prayer led by Mr. Larry.
Public Comments on Agenda Items
No one signed up to speak.
Official Mayor Proclamation in Honor of Mayor Viola Ford Fletcher
Mayor James S. Curd Jr. presented a proclamation honoring Mother Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest known survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, who passed away on November 24, 2025.
Ordinance 3610 - Authorizing Special Election for General Obligation Bonds
An ordinance authorizing a special election on February 10, 2026, for the issuance of up to $18 million in general obligation bonds for firefighting apparatus, street improvements, and parks/recreational facilities.
Emergency Clause for Ordinance 3610
Approval of an emergency clause for Ordinance 3610 to ensure its immediate effectiveness for filing with the county election board.
Ordinance 3611 - Extending 1/4 Cent Sales Tax for Economic Development
An ordinance extending the levy of the one-quarter of one percent sales tax for economic development for an additional five years, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.
Resolution 3757 - Calling Election for Ordinance 3611
A resolution authorizing a special election on February 10, 2026, for the approval or rejection of Ordinance 3611, with an amendment to correct specific language.
Ordinance 3612 - Extending 1/2 Cent Sales Tax for CIP
An ordinance extending the levy of the one-half of one percent sales tax for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for an additional five years, through June 30, 2031.
Resolution 3758 - Calling Election for Ordinance 3612
A resolution authorizing a special election on February 10, 2026, for the approval or rejection of Ordinance 3612, with an amendment to correct specific language.
Resolution to Amend Unsheltered Homeless Task Force
A resolution to extend the Unsheltered Homeless Task Force through July 31, 2026, to continue its work on addressing homelessness in Bartlesville.
Establish Police K9 Retirement Fund
Establishment of a police K9 retirement fund to provide financial assistance for retired police dogs and their adopted owners, covering veterinary care, stipends, and recognition.
City Manager and Staff Reports
Updates on free yard debris collection and public input for the Land Development Code.