December 16, 2025 City Council Meeting

The Moore City Council convened on 📅 December 15th, 2025, for its final meeting of the year.

Announcements

• Proclamation for Charles Thompson: Mayor Mark Ham presented a Key to the City to Mr. Charles Thompson, recognizing his decades of selfless service as a former city council member, home builder, businessman, and philanthropist, for his enduring legacy of progress and community building in Moore.
• Upcoming Town Halls: City Manager Brooks announced that three town hall meetings will be held in 📅 January (specifically the 26th, 27th, and 28th) to discuss the ongoing sales tax conversation and answer citizens' questions. Details will be available on the city's website.
• Holiday Wishes: Council members extended warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a safe, prosperous 2026 to all city employees and citizens, with special thanks to those working over the holidays. Shout-outs were given to the Police Department for their "Shop with a Cop" and coat distribution events, and the Fire Department for their "Santa Express" program. Appreciation was also expressed for the Christmas Spectacular, the Christmas Parade, and the Public Works Department for maintaining city cleanliness, including street sweeping.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Sports Association Agreements: The Council approved three separate sports association agreements for the 2026 programs held at Buck Thomas Park:
  • Moore Youth Baseball Program: ✅ Approved.
  • Moore Youth Girls Softball Program: ✅ Approved, with efforts noted to strengthen leagues and tournaments.
  • Moore Football Program: ✅ Approved. All three agreements now run from January 1st through December 31st.
• Park Maintenance Yard Expansions: Two contracts with Bullseye Fence Company Inc. were approved for expanding maintenance yards:
  • Central Park Maintenance Yard: ✅ Approved for $19,100 to extend the yard approximately 100 feet north, adding chain link and composite fencing to create more room for equipment and improve maneuverability.
  • Buck Thomas Park Maintenance Yard: ✅ Approved for $68,900 to extend the yard approximately 100 feet north, adding metal fencing, covered parking, a 20-foot sliding gate, a 6-foot walking gate, and gravel surfacing to better accommodate large equipment and protect assets from weather.
• Buck Thomas Park Guiding Plan: A contract with Claude Studio for $42,000 was approved to prepare a guiding plan for Buck Thomas Park. This plan will assess current amenities, identify future improvements, and establish long-term development strategies.
• The Station Recreation Center Parking Design: A contract with Tap Architecture for $55,200 was approved to design proposed new parking areas at The Station Recreation Center. This project will replace the existing temporary parking lot and expand the north parking area.
• Public Safety Software System: A seven-year software as a service agreement with Tyler Technology Inc. for their Enterprise Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System was approved. This comprehensive system will modernize dispatch, 911, Police, and Fire Department operations, offering 24/7 support and cloud-based monitoring. Funding will come from 911 funds and asset forfeiture funds.
• Animal Shelter Staffing: The creation of two part-time kennel technician positions for the animal shelter was approved to support extended operating hours beginning in January.
• Fire Station Alerting System Equipment: The purchase of equipment for the US Digital Design G2 Fire Station alerting system project for $124,952.91 was approved. This continues an ongoing project to transition from an analog to a digital alerting platform, resolving installation deficiencies and improving firefighter quality of life. The system will interface with the new Tyler CAD system in the future.
• Fire Department SCBA Bids: Authorization for the Fire Department to solicit bids for the budgeted replacement of all self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) was approved.
• Fire Fleet Vehicle Surplus: The declaration of one fire fleet vehicle as surplus due to transmission issues and age, and authorization for its sale by auction, was approved. A temporary replacement will be outfitted from the existing fleet.
• Belmar Lift Station Demolition & Sewer Line Design: An agreement with Eagle Consultants Inc. for $156,350 was approved for professional engineering services. This project involves the demolition and disposal of the Belmar Lift Station and the design of a new gravity flow sewer line, enabling the elimination of the lift station and future development in the area. Construction will be bid separately after design completion.
• Insurance Policies: Several insurance policy renewals were approved:
  • Excess Public Officials and Employment Practices Liability Policy: ✅ Approved with a premium of $49,015.69 for $3 million in coverage.
  • Excess Workers Compensation Insurance Policy: ✅ Approved for a two-year term with an annual premium of $167,199, maintaining existing retention levels.
  • Comprehensive Property and Contents, Cyber Liability, and Physical Damage Insurance Policies: ✅ Approved with a total premium of $1,077,124.38. This includes $100 million in property/contents coverage, $45 million in excess property coverage (totaling $145 million per single event), $4 million in excess flood insurance, cyber liability insurance (premium decreased by $2,500), and physical damage insurance for city vehicles (premium decreased by $9,000).
• Water and Wastewater Systems Management Contract: A 10-year contract with Veolia Water North American Central LLC for the operation, maintenance, and management of the city's water and wastewater systems was approved. The updated contract includes revised clauses to provide better defense for the city and Veolia in potential sewer lawsuits, with costs already budgeted.

Financial Matters 💰

• Approved Expenditures:
  • $19,100 for Central Park maintenance yard expansion (Bullseye Fence Company Inc.).
  • $68,900 for Buck Thomas Park maintenance yard expansion (Bullseye Fence Company Inc.).
  • $42,000 for a guiding plan for Buck Thomas Park (Claude Studio).
  • $55,200 for design of new parking areas at The Station Recreation Center (Tap Architecture).
  • $124,952.91 for equipment for the US Digital Design G2 Fire Station alerting system project.
  • $156,350 for professional engineering services for Belmar Lift Station demolition and gravity flow sewer line construction (Eagle Consultants Inc.).
• Insurance Premiums Approved:
  • $49,015.69 for Excess Public Officials and Employment Practices Liability Policy (2.9% increase).
  • $167,199 per year for Excess Workers Compensation Insurance Policy (~8% increase).
  • $1,077,124.38 total for Property and Contents, Excess Property, Excess Flood, Cyber Liability, and Physical Damage Insurance policies (overall ~7% increase). Notably, Cyber Liability premium decreased by $2,500 and Physical Damage premium decreased by $9,000.
• Public Safety Software Funding: The new Tyler Technologies Enterprise CAD and Records Management System will be funded through 911 funds and asset forfeiture funds.
• City Manager's Financial Update: City Manager Brooks provided an update on the city's financial standing and capital projects:
  • Annual Audit: The city recently completed its annual audit, receiving an unmodified opinion, indicating good financial health. Audit reports and annual budgets are available on the city's website.
  • Sales Tax Breakdown: Clarified that "one cent" and "1%" are interchangeable. Of the 8.5% sales tax in Moore, 4.5% goes to the State of Oklahoma, 3.875% to the City of Moore, and 0.125% to Cleveland County.
  • Property Tax Contribution: For a $200,000 home, the city of Moore's portion of the property tax is approximately $344.54, representing roughly 12% of the total property tax bill.
  • Capital Projects Funding: Construction money for many previously discussed projects is not yet formally budgeted as they are still in the design phase, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation. ODOT will bid these projects (many funded by $32 million in ACOG money), and the city will request budget amendments for its portion at that time. Many projects await the completion of the railroad underpass.
  • GO Bonds: Current General Obligation bonds will be paid off between 2026 and 2037. Future bond issuances (planned for next year and the year after) would extend this to approximately 2039.
  • Sales Tax Impact Studies: Referenced a National Bureau of Economic Research white paper suggesting sales tax increases have only short-term impacts on shopping behaviors. Historical data from Moore's 2008 and 2013 sales tax adoptions showed no long-term negative impact on general fund sales tax revenue.
  • Capital Project Funding Model: Emphasized that a shift to a sales tax model for capital projects would only change the funding method, not the approval mechanics, which would still involve initial discussions, town halls, outreach, and a final Council vote. New projects, like those potentially identified in the Buck Thomas Park guiding plan, would be considered.
  • City Growth: Moore continues to grow, with 114 home building permits issued in 2025 and numerous development areas in the southeastern part of the city.

Public Comments

• No citizens signed up to speak during the "New Business" section of the City Council meeting.

Agenda Summary Table