Norman City Council will discuss and consider the 2026 city budget, construction contracts, an agreement with the Norman Regional Hospital Authority and hear a presentation on the Westwood Park master plan at its Tuesday meetings.
2026 budget
Council will consider the proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets at its 2 p.m. special meeting.
According to the budget book, total projected expenses are $269,624,650 and total projected revenue is $292,309,127. The net total beginning fund is $104,126,312.
According to a staff report, each council member proposed a budget amendment for consideration at the meeting.
Ward 1 Councilmember Austin Ball requested grammatical corrections to the budget documents be made as necessary.
Ward 2 Councilmember Matthew Peacock requested a $11,200 increase in allocations for parks and recreation in the general fund for contributions to the historical museum and performing arts studio.
Ward 3 Councilmember Bree Montoya requested allocations in the general fund be increased by $25,000 for social and voluntary services contributions.
Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant requested Sanitation Fund allocations be increased by $200,000 to fund solar arrays at the transfer station.
Ward 5 Councilmember Michael Nash requested that water fund allocations be increased by $125,000 and water reclamation fund allocations be increased by $125,000 for solar arrays at the line maintenance facility.
Ward 6 Councilmember Joshua Hinkle requested water reclamation fund allocations be increased by $3,800,000 for renovations to the water reclamation administrative and storage buildings.
Ward 7 Councilmember and Mayor-elect Stephen Tyler Holman requested the community development block grant fund revenue and appropriations be increased by $90,849.55 to reflect the updated fiscal year end 2026 award amount from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Ward 8 Councilmember Scott Dixon requested transit and parking fund allocations be increased by $665,000 to fund on-demand transit services. Dixon also requested for transit and parking fund revenues to be increased by $131,477 for OU’s portion of on-demand transit services and $24,990 for an increase in Federal Transit Administration grant revenue.
The city’s general fund expenditures are projected to be $111,222,714 with 28% going to the police department, 19.7% going to the fire department and 19.3% going to public works.
According to city finance director Anthony Francisco the city’s general fund projected expenditures totaled $108 million last year.
In January, Francisco told OU Daily that the city’s expenditures are growing at a faster rate than its revenue. If this trend persists, Francisco said the city will experience a negative fund balance, which is illegal according to Oklahoma state law.
Lindsey Street and Classen Boulevard bridge rehabilitation
Council will consider a $332,106 contract for the Lindsey Street and Classen Boulevard bridge rehabilitation project.
In October 2023, Norman residents voted in favor of a $50 million bond dedicated to the replacement and rehabilitation of bridges throughout the city.
According to a staff report, Wyatt Contracting bid an estimate of $312,632 for the project. If approved, the project will begin on or before July 16 and is estimated to be finished in 75 days.
Drainage rehabilitation
Council will consider a $30,997.54 contact with Rudy Construction for the Drainage Rehabilitation project.
According to a staff report, the project will include the removal of old brick and mortar inlet structures, construction of new concrete inlet structures, removal and replacement of sidewalks, and construction of a new flexamat-lined channel and flume.
The staff report states that the city has added locations to the list of inlets and other drainage infrastructure in most need of replacement.
The project also includes the construction of a concrete flume near Rowena Lane where homeowners have experienced excessive standing water due to the poor drainage conditions.
Norman Regional Hospital Authority agreement
Council will consider an agreement with the Norman Regional Hospital Authority for the hospital to contribute $25,000 annually to city paratransit operations and receive ridership data reports in return.
According to a staff report, the Norman Regional Hospital has contributed to the cost of operating Norman’s public transportation system, specifically paratransit services, in exchange for such statistical data reports.
According to a staff report, city staff were contacted by Norman Regional Hospital staff in April about decreasing the total annual contribution amount, originally $50,000, by 50% to a new annual amount of $25,000 due to financial constraints.
Last week, Norman Regional Health System announced it had eliminated approximately 10% of positions within the organization, including the closure of some clinics.
According to a statement, the layoffs were done to ensure the sustainability and independence of the hospital.
“Like many health systems across the country, we are facing rising costs, workforce shortages, and declining reimbursement,” the statement reads. “These challenges demand bold, proactive steps to preserve our ability to serve the community with high-quality, locally governed healthcare.”
Westwood Park master plan
Council will hear a presentation on the Westwood Park master plan, which includes the renovation of the park and golf course at its 5:30 p.m. special meeting.
According to the presentation, after reviewing public input comments, Westwood Park agreed to add a fourth indoor tennis court, eliminate junior tennis courts, and switch the tennis and pickleball facilities to reduce traffic noise from Robinson Street.
The golf course renovation will include adding a tree line to “strategically screen the golf course” to create a more peaceful environment. The renovation will improve bunker quality, irrigation reservoir capacity and drainage infrastructure, the presentation states.
According to the presentation, the golf course, which will be reconstructed first, will take 14 months; the golf clubhouse, which will be second, will take 18 months; and the court sports area, which will be third, will take eight months. The aquatic center will remain open through the construction.
This story was edited by Natalie Armour.
