Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Broken Arrow is a city located in the northeastern part of Oklahoma, primarily in Tulsa County with an extension into western Wagoner County. It is the largest suburb of Tulsa and the 4th largest city in the state. The 2009 U.S. Census estimates placed the city's population at 94,996.[1] The estimated 2010 population is 97,000.[2]
Though Broken Arrow was originally an agricultural community, its current economy is diverse. The city has the third largest concentration of industries in the state.[3]
 A+
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Contents |
[edit] Website evaluation
In 2011, the Broken Arrow earned a Sunny Award for having a perfect website transparency score.
This Web site was reviewed Jan. 11, 2012.
[edit] The good
- The 2010-2011 budget [4] is listed.
- Elected officials [5] are listed with contact information.
- Administrative officials [6] are listed with contact information.
- Building permit applications[7] and zoning ordinances [8] are available.
- Audits are posted.[9]
- Contract bids and seal contracts are posted.[10]
- Lobbyist are identified on the site.[11]
- Information on public records [12] is provided.
- All local tax rates are listed on the website.[13]
- Annual reports are posted on the website.[14]
[edit] Elected Officials
[edit] City Council
The city of Broken Arrow is divided into four wards, which are redrawn periodically in an effort to keep a fairly even population distribution in each. The City Council consists of one member from each of those wards and an at-large member. While council members from the four wards must live in that ward, all registered voters in the city are eligible to vote on each. Each member is eligible to serve four years, with elections held every two years. Those council spots are rotated, so that in one election there are three spots before voters and in the next only two.[15]
Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall (220 S. 1st). They are open to the public, and a time is set aside at each meeting for anyone in the audience to address an issue not included on that meeting's agenda.[15]
Current council members are:[5]
| Member | Title | Ward | Term Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Carter | Councilman | Ward 1 | 2013 |
| Craig Thurmond | Vice-Mayor | Ward 2 | 2013 |
| Mike Lester | Mayor | Ward 3 | 2011 |
| Jill Norman | Councilwoman | Ward 4 | 2011 |
| Wade McCaleb | Councilman | At-Large | 2011 |
[edit] Council Member Salaries
No information is provided on whether council members receive a salary, and if so, how much they earn.
[edit] Administrative Officials
[edit] City Manager
The City Manager of Broken Arrow reports directly to the City Council. He is the Chief Executive Officer and head of the administrative branch of the city government. The current City Manager is Dave Wooden.[16]
Responsibilities include administering city government in accordance with city ordinances; reviewing and recommending items for City Council action; appointing or removing all city employees; supervising and controlling all administrative departments; preparing an annual budget; advising the Council of the condition and needs of the city; and performing other activities as directed by the City Council.[16]
[edit] City Manager Salary
No information is provided on whether council members receive a salary, and if so, how much they earn.
[edit] Spending
The 2010-11 city budget is $146,141,145[4], which is a $905,758 decrease from 2009-10[17].
[edit] Lobbying
The city of Broken Arrow has a Director of Intergovernmental Relations on staff whose role is to keep the city council and City Manager informed on pending legislation and important issues. The Director also serves as a liaison between city officials and representatives of Homeowners Associations in Broken Arrow. The current Director of Intergovernmental Relations is Terri Cleveland.[18]
The city is also lists the Indian Nation Council of Government (INCOG) and the Oklahoma Muncipal League on their list of lobbying organizations.[19]
[edit] External links
- City of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
- Broken Arrow Detailed Profile
- Broken Arrow Government Information
- City of Broken Arrow, City receives A+ for Web site transparency, Aug. 27, 2010
