Residents can weigh in on OKC’s proposed 2027 budget through May 19
Published on April 28, 2026
Link to proposed budget book(PDF, 68MB)
Link to budget overview
An overview of Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman's proposed budget was presented to the City Council on April 28. During the same meeting, Fire, Police and Transportation and Parking also presented their budget proposals.
Additional budget presentations are scheduled as follows:
- May 12: Development Services, Parks and Recreation and Public Works
- May 26: Information Technology, Municipal Courts, Utilities and Airports
The City Council is expected to adopt the final budget on June 2.
Residents are invited to review the proposed budget book and submit comments by May 19.
Ways to comment:
City Council meetings can be watched live and recorded on the City's YouTube channel at youtube.com/cityofokc.
"Our primary focus is, and always will be, delivering high-quality services to our residents," City Manager Craig Freeman said. "I'm grateful to department heads for the thoughtful and disciplined approach they brought to the budget process."
Due to slow revenue growth, the Police Department and Fire Department were directed to propose a 1.4% budget reduction, and most other City departments proposed a 2.4% reduction.
Budget Overview
The operating budget pays for day-to-day operations and is $979 million.
The proposed budget includes funding for 5,089 full-time positions, a decrease of 1 from FY 26.
Budget highlights
Fire Department
- Deletes 6 Fire Corporals from its 5th position on multiple ladders.
- Adds $1 million in funding toward a new fire wellness program from the Fire Sales Tax Fund.
Police Department
- Carries forward 20 frozen uniform positions from FY 2026.
- Reduces 1 civilian support position.
Public Works
- Adds a net of two positions.
- Invests in project managers and other support positions in preparation for the upcoming GO Bond sale.
Development Services
- Deletes a Chief Code Inspector from the Code Enforcement.
- Deletes 2 Code Inspector I positions.
- Adds 2 Elevator Inspectors funded by projected service fees.
Public Transportation and Parking
- Reallocates two of its positions from City funds to the COTPA trust.
- Update service hours for weekend fixed routes to more directly align with usage.
Utilities
- Adds 8 total positions.
- Reallocates $12.4 million from its City operating funds to the Trust.
Parks and Recreation
- Eliminates 6 positions.
- Restructures its Natural Resources Program in the Recreation and Grounds Management Divisions.
General Services
- Deletes a Recreation Facilities Technician.
- Deletes an Office Administrator position in the administrative line of business.
Finance
- Shifts its Performance Measurement program and staff member to the City Manager's office.
Municipal Counselor's Office
- Adds two attorneys supported by the GO Bond chargeback and the Public Safety Sales tax.
The City Manager's Office
- Adds two positions in the MAPS office to support work on the Arena.
- Adds the performance measurement program to the Innovation Office.
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 62% 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. Those funds improve streets, parks, Police and Fire facilities and other needs for the next several years. The rest of the residents' property tax goes to 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.
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Media Contact: Kristy Yager, (405) 297-2550, kristy.yager@okc.gov