Link to 2026 budget book(PDF, 85MB)
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Council adopted City Manager Craig Freeman’s 2026 budget.
The budget book can be reviewed at okc.gov/budget.
Due to slow revenue growth, the Police Department and Fire Department were directed to propose a 1.5% budget reduction, and most other City departments proposed a 4.5% reduction.
“This is the second year in a row that sluggish revenue growth triggered a budget reduction,” City Manager Craig Freeman said. “Despite this, I’m encouraged that departments could make adjustments to stay within available resources while continuing to focus on services for our residents.”
Budget Overview
The operating budget is $930 million and pays for day-to-day operations. The proposed budget includes funding for 5,090 full-time positions, a decrease of 27 from FY 25.
Budget highlights
Fire Department
- Deletes 15 vacant uniform positions, removing the 2nd engine from station 1 from service.
- Adds two Recovery Support Specialists and two Mobile Integrated Health Responders to further implement the Alternative Response Team Program.
- Adds one Human Resources Business Partner to support employee training and related needs.
- Adds $1.7 million for a new fire station and remodeling costs from the Fire Sales Tax Fund.
Police Department
- Freezes 20 vacant uniform positions.
- Adds $8.6 million in funding toward capital construction and additional funding for services and supplies from the Police Sales Tax Fund.
Municipal Court
- Deletes Lead Customer Service Representative.
- Deletes Office Clerk and Municipal Court Clerk.
- Deletes two Senior Customer Service Representatives.
Public Works
- Deletes a net of 2 vacant positions.
- Office Administrator from Traffic Services.
- Construction Project Manager from the Infrastructure Program.
Development Services
- Deletes 2 vacant positions.
- Code Technician from the Plan Review Program.
- Lead Customer Service Representative from the Permits and Licensing Program.
Public Transportation and Parking
- $1.4 million in savings achieved by insourcing the operation and maintenance of the Streetcar.
Utilities
- Adds 2 Facilities & Plant Mechanic II positions.
- Increases the services and supplies budget by $2.1 million.
Parks and Recreation
- Deletes net of 2 vacant positions from the Recreation Program.
- Deletes 1 vacant Municipal Accountant.
- Decreases athletic field maintenance supplies by $255,209.
- Decreases contract labor in the Grounds Management Division by $245,000.
- Decreases Public-Private Partnership support with Myriad Gardens, Scissortail Park, and First Americans Museum by $515,123.
General Services
- Deletes a net of 2 positions.
- Building Maintenance Mechanic.
- Fuel Systems Technician.
Finance
- Deletes a vacant Training and Safety Specialist in Risk Management.
- Deletes a vacant Municipal Accountant II in Accounting.
Human Resources
- Deletes a vacant Public Information and Marketing Specialist in the Talent Acquisition program.
Municipal Counselor’s Office
- Deletes a vacant Legal Secretary II position.
Funding
Oklahoma City’s largest single source of revenue is sales tax, which pays for day-to-day services. Every time people shop in Oklahoma City or buy something online, they invest in our community.
The City gets 4.125% of taxable sales made in Oklahoma City or when people from Oklahoma City buy something online. Of that, 2.25% goes to the General Fund that pays for day-to-day operations. About 60% of the General Fund goes to our Police and Fire Departments.
Police and Fire also have a dedicated public safety sales tax of ¾ of a cent. The OKC Zoo gets 1/8th of a cent, and finally, there’s the MAPS 4 temporary penny sales tax.
The City also gets about 13% of residents’ total property tax bill. OKC’s share pays off the general obligation bonds we use for bond projects in the Better Streets, Safer City program. That funds improvements to streets, parks, Police and Fire facilities and other needs for the next several years. Check them out at okc.gov/BetterSafer. The rest of people’s property tax goes elsewhere – public schools, libraries, vocational schools and the county government.
Another significant source of tax revenue is the hotel tax, which is charged on hotel room stays. This tax is dedicated to promoting tourism and capital improvements at the OKC Fairgrounds.
The City also gets some revenue from franchise fees, building permits, business licenses, fines, service charges and fees. Visit okc.gov/tax for an overview of our revenue.
Budget background
The budget is guided by feedback received from the annual resident survey results. Information from the survey also helps the City Council set priorities. Those priorities are:
- Promote safe, secure and thriving neighborhoods.
- Develop a transportation system that works for all residents.
- Maintain strong financial management.
- Enhance recreational opportunities and community wellness.
- Encourage a robust local economy.
- Uphold high standards for all City services.
- Continue to pursue social and criminal justice reforms.
Find your Council member’s contact information at okc.gov/council. Visit okc.gov/WardMap to see who represents you. Find Council agendas, including instructions on how to watch or sign up to speak for meetings held by teleconference, at okc.gov/agenda.
The budget process begins each February with a City Council budget workshop. The budget hearings in the spring and budget adoption in June finish the budget process every year. When necessary, the Council adopts amendments to the budget in the middle of the fiscal year.
Visit okc.gov/agenda for City Council meeting agendas, including instructions on how to sign up to speak.