City of Broken Arrow

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.

City Manager Michael Spurgeon gave his 10th State of the City address to the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 11. Spurgeon's message, "Planting the Seeds of Prosperity," highlighted the city's 2024 accomplishments, planted a vision for the future, and introduced Lance Arnold as Broken Arrow's next police chief. Spurgeon highlighted key initiatives in public safety, economic development, municipal operations, fiscal sustainability, and key strategic public infrastructure investments.

The Broken Arrow City Council took the next step in filling the Ward 3 vacancy by hearing from nine residents interested in becoming the next City Councilor at a special meeting on Dec. 3. The Council took no action at the special meeting but ultimately decided in its regular meeting immediately following the special session to table the motion until the next regular City Council meeting on Dec. 17. The candidates who submitted letters of interest and met the service requirements include Boyd Anderson, Jared Cawley, George Ghesquire, Mike Lester, David Pickel, Linda Russell, Kevin Stephenson, Michael Sturgill, and Gene Taylor. For more, go to https://lnkd.in/ggFdTQ2W.

Parks named Vice Mayor The Broken Arrow City Council unanimously elected Johnnie Parks as the City’s next Vice Mayor following a nomination by Councilor Justin Green and a second by Councilor Lisa Ford on Nov. 19. A vote for Vice Mayor was necessary following former Vice Mayor Christi Gillespie's resignation after her successful campaign for the State Senate District-33 race. “I know everyone sitting up here would be capable of serving in that role, and the former Vice Mayor left big shoes to fill, but I would like to make a motion that we elect Councilor Johnnie Parks as the next Vice Mayor,” Green said. “He’s served the city for a long time.” Parks is a lifelong Broken Arrow resident and has served the city for more than 40 years in a volunteer capacity, even serving as Vice Mayor from 1992-1994. He was first elected to the City Council in 1978 and has served as Chairman of the Broken Arrow Planning Commission. “I would like to make a comment,” Parks said. “I certainly will be willing to serve as the Vice Mayor. The role is an important one, especially if the mayor’s not here. If this is the Council’s desire, I would certainly be willing to do that.” In addition to Parks' service on the City Council, he is also a member of the Broken Arrow Civitans, serves on the Broken Arrow Seniors Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors for The Museum Broken Arrow. Parks and his wife of 55 years, Myrna (Wair), have three sons, two grandsons, and one granddaughter.  Since 1956, Broken Arrow has operated under a Council-Manager form of government. As such, residents elect the City Council as its governing body, and it is responsible for adopting legislation and setting policies. The Council consists of five members, four representing specific wards, and one Councilor is elected at large. The Council elects the Mayor and the Vice Mayor from among its members. The City Council also hires the City Manager, who is responsible for implementing the Council's policies and overseeing the daily operations of the local government.

Broken Arrow City Councilors selected for National League of Cities roles     BROKEN ARROW, Okla.— Broken Arrow City Council is making an impact nationally, with Mayor Debra Wimpee and Ward 2 Councilor Lisa Ford appointed to serve significant roles within the National League of Cities organization.   The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns, and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the United States. Their mission for the last 100 years has been strengthening local leadership, influencing federal policy, and driving innovative solutions.   Mayor Wimpee, who has served as Broken Arrow’s mayor since 2021, was selected to serve as one of 14 leaders from across the country on the National League of Cities Board of Directors for a two-year term. She is also an at-large NLC Women in Municipal Government board member.   “I’m honored to be appointed to serve on the National League of Cities Board of Directors, and I look forward to collaborating with my counterparts from across the nation to improve the lives of our constituents through effective advocacy for local governments,” Wimpee said. “This is an opportunity for Broken Arrow to have a voice in setting a national policy agenda in keeping with our community’s principled leadership.”   Councilor Lisa Ford was first elected to the Broken Arrow City Council in 2021 and was appointed to serve in two constituency groups. This year, at the NLC’s 2024 City Summit in Tampa, Florida, Ford was appointed as the First Vice President of the Women in Municipal Government and will bring their conference to Broken Arrow in 2026. In 2023, she was selected to participate in the Leadership Circle for the Local Indigenous Leaders.   “It is a privilege for me to serve in this capacity advocating for women in municipal government and as a part of the Local Indigenous Leaders Leadership Circle within the National League of Cities,” Ford said. “As someone who worked for the City of Broken Arrow for more than 20 years as the Crime Prevention Specialist before my election to City Council and as a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I believe I can bring a unique perspective in serving both groups. Most of all, I look forward to learning from my colleagues nationwide how local government can better serve women and Indigenous people.”    Broken Arrow is fortunate to have dynamic leadership with people who are making an impact locally and nationally. Congratulations, Mayor Debra Wimpee and Councilor Lisa Ford, on your National League of Cities appointments.

Soon there will be no doubt you've entered Broken Arrow city limits once 14 new gateway signs are installed at various arterial entrances. For more, go to News Archive | City of Brokehttps://lnkd.in/ev4hEFrs Arrow

The Broken Arrow City Council has an open seat.   Christi Gillespie resigned effective at noon, Nov. 13, following her successful candidacy for State Senate District 33.     Gillespie has served as the Ward 3 City Councilor since 2019. She became Vice Mayor in 2021 and won reelection to the Council in April 2023.    Gillespie submitted her resignation letter to Mayor Debra Wimpee and the Broken Arrow City Council on Nov. 11. Proud of what she and the Council have accomplished together, Gillespie said she has learned many things that will be valuable in her service at the next level.    "We have weathered together a 100-year flood, a worldwide pandemic, and too many discussions about mandates of all kinds, but we have also enjoyed record-breaking sales tax every single year, tremendous growth & the revitalization of South Broken Arrow!" she said.    Gillespie will be sworn into office at the State Capitol at 2 p.m. on Nov. 13. According to state law, an individual cannot hold two offices simultaneously. Therefore, the timing of her resignation from the City Council aligns with her taking the oath of office at the state level.   With Gillespie's ascension to the State Senate, the City Council can appoint someone who meets the eligibility criteria to fill the Ward 3 vacancy for the remainder of Gillespie's term or leave the seat open until the next General Election.    The Council must fill the seat by appointment within 60 days from the resignation date according to state law. If the Council chooses not to make an appointment, the seat will remain vacant for six months until a Ward 3 candidate is elected in the general election in April 2025.   It's important to note that the City Councilors represent all Broken Arrow residents, regardless of their Ward. This means that Ward 3 residents can have the assurance that they will continue to have representation, even if the Council decides not to appoint a replacement for Gillespie. In the interim, citizens are encouraged to engage with City staff, Mayor Debra Wimpee, Councilor Johnnie Parks, Councilor Lisa Ford, and Councilor Justin Green.     The Ward 3 seat is expected to be discussed by the City Council during its next public meeting on Nov. 19. The City of Broken Arrow will share additional information with the public about the open seat as more details become available.

Your vote counts Nov. 5 Broken Arrow, it's time to make your voice heard—the General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oklahoma voters will cast their ballots for President, Corporation Commissioner, judicial retention, and two state questions. Certain local elections and house and senate seats are also on the ballot, varying by district. If you're a registered voter but wondering where to vote, you can find your polling place and view a sample ballot for your precinct by visiting the OK Voter Portal. Click on the OK Voter Portal login. —Enter your name —Enter your date of birth —Click the "Find Me" button. At the precinct, a valid ID is required before receiving a ballot. Acceptable forms of identification, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board, include: —A voter identification card issued by the County Election Board, —An Oklahoma Driver's license, —An Oklahoma ID card, —A U.S. Passport, —A federally recognized tribal ID, or —A U.S. Military ID. (Please note that the name on the identification must be the same as the name in the precinct registry.) Need a ride to the polling location? You can ride Broken Arrow Transit free to your polling location, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., if you live or work within the 24-square-mile service area.  In addition, the Broken Arrow Police Department is committed to public safety especially as voters go to the polls on Tuesday. Officer staffing will be increased on Nov. 5, and the Special Response Team will be deployed to ensure a secure environment for all Broken Arrow citizens to exercise their right to vote on Election Day safely. There are no current threats to the safety or security of voters in Broken Arrow on Tuesday. However, BAPD constantly communicates with area, regional, and state law enforcement as Election Day approaches and will respond quickly if necessary.  

Early voting for the general election begins Oct. 30 in Oklahoma. It will continue for four days, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, regardless of the county in which you live. Tulsa County residents can vote early at the current Tulsa County Election Board office, 555 N. Denver Ave., and the future Tulsa County Election Board office, 12000 E. Skelly Drive. Wagoner County residents can vote early at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow, 3100 E. New Orleans St., and First Baptist Church, 401 Northeast Second Street, Wagoner. Both counties have the same early voting hours, dates, and times. • Wednesday, Oct. 30—8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Thursday, Oct. 31—8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Friday, Nov. 1—8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Saturday, Nov. 2—8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note that early voting sites are not the same as polling sites. Any registered voter in Tulsa County or Wagoner County eligible to vote in the upcoming election can vote at early voting if they have not returned an absentee ballot. Depending on where you live, Broken Arrow voters must be registered in Tulsa or Wagoner County and have proper ID to vote. You may show any ID issued by the United States, the State of Oklahoma, or a federally recognized tribal government if it includes your name, a photograph of you, and an expiration date later than the election in which you are voting. The free Voter Identification Card is also acceptable. Absentee Ballots must be received by the Tulsa and Wagoner County Election Boards by Election Day, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. to be counted. Hand-delivered Absentee Ballots must be received by 5 p.m., Nov. 4, at the Tulsa and Wagoner County Election Board Offices to be counted. Voters can only hand-deliver their own ballot and must show an ID when delivering it. With the passage of Senate Bill 376, as of Nov. 1, 2023, Physically Incapacitated Absentee Ballots (Pink Affidavit Envelope) can be hand-delivered. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Go to the OK Voter Portal to find your polling location.

Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon, MPA, has been awarded the 2024 Presidents’ Award for Community Service, one of the highest honors Northeastern State University and the NSU Alumni Association bestows. For more, go to https://lnkd.in/gZK44Zgv.