New academy engaging citizens

Broken Arrow residents are getting an in-depth look at city governance now that the first Citizens Engagement Academy is underway.

The Citizens Engagement Academy is an opportunity for residents to gain a deeper understanding of how local government works and how decisions are made in our community. This structured educational program is designed to increase transparency, strengthen community connections, and encourage meaningful participation in City government.

Jules Resnik joined the program to learn more about how the city works and makes decisions. She says she recommends people sign up for the program at the next opportunity.

"If you really want to make a difference in our community, you need to understand how our city really runs, and with this class, you can see it firsthand," Resnik said. "One thing that has surprised me so far is just how much goes on behind the scenes to keep our city running. There are so many different people and processes."

The academy meets for two-hour sessions over 12 weeks.

In week one, participants heard a welcome from Mayor Debra Wimpee, the City Council, and City Manager Michael Spurgeon before moving into how city government works.

Theresa Stewart has lived in Broken Arrow since the early 90s and said she signed up for the academy to become a more well-rounded citizen.

After just three weeks, she already feels more empowered to advocate for Broken Arrow based on what she has learned, and she says she appreciates City Manager Michael Spurgeon's openness and willingness to answer questions.

"Now, I feel like we are the eyes and the ears to help as well, to be better citizens and to be better educated," Stewart said.

She says most people don't realize how accessible the City Council is.

"And I think if they understood that, they wouldn't be afraid to ask a question, or if they have a difference of opinion, they can sit down in a room and have a conversation with someone they think may believe differently than them and discuss it out," Stewart said.

Through the first three academy sessions, participants learned the following about the city's form of government:

• The City of Broken Arrow has operated under the voter-approved Council-Manager form of government since 1956.
• The Council sets policy, and the City Manager oversees daily operations.
• The City Manager prepares the budget, implements adopted policies, hires and supervises staff, addresses routine citizen service issues, and advises the Council.
• The Council serves four-year terms in four wards, and one Councilor serves at-large. The Mayor serves as a ceremonial head and meeting chair. Each Councilor, including the Mayor, has one vote.
• The Council adopts ordinances and the city code, approves the budget, approves contracts and major policy, hires and evaluates the City Manager, and appoints the presiding municipal judge.
• They also oversee growth, service levels, and the city's long-range direction.

The second meeting shifted to transparency and communication and covered the city's organizational priorities, which include:

• Public safety services and the community's well-being
• Fiscal sustainability and strategic public investment
• Municipal government operations
• Economic development
• Transparency and communication

Director of Communications Aaron McColloch emphasized the importance of governmental transparency.

"Transparency builds trust, creates a more informed community, inspires engagement, and fosters collaboration," he said. "Transparency is more than what's happening. It's about the why."

To keep our residents informed, the city communicates through a range of formats, including email notifications, text messages, the My Broken Arrow Action Center App, social media, legacy media, videos, the city website, interactive mapping, public meetings, forums, workshops, and special reports such as Thrive, Open Roads, and the City Manager's Monthly Report.

"I want to help my community and my neighborhood," resident Michelle Guile said. "When people are fussing again, to say, 'This is not true,' or 'This is probably where you should look for the real information', and just to be an involved citizen."

Guile continued, "I'd like to do some more community work in Broken Arrow too, so figuring out where to get plugged in. I have a young son. I need him to, you know, get some community pride. Seeing Mom go to her class and have a good time. I think that is a good role model."

Now after attending the academy, Guile will know exactly how to connect people with the information that they need.

At the third session on Sept. 24, the academy turned to the city's development process, where Community Development Director Rocky Henkel outlined how the city regulates land use, code enforcement, building inspections, residential and commercial development, and observes state and municipal laws.

The department's goal is to promote responsible growth through comprehensive planning and land-use decisions.

"We want to make sure that when we grow, that we grow in a smart way," Henkel said.

The Community Development Department is organized into four primary divisions:

• Planning and Development
• Placemaking
• Neighborhood engagement and inspections
• Permitting and licensing

Henkel noted that staff doesn't have the authority to approve or deny development applications. Staff only recommend approval or denial based on the city's 2019 Next Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances. Public hearings and public comment opportunities are available at Planning Commission and City Council meetings.

The development process includes five steps:

• Pre-Development meeting
• Application submittal
• Staff review
• Public Hearing at the Planning Commission
• Final City Council Decision

The timeline varies by project type and complexity.

In the coming weeks, participants will receive information on Public Safety, core city services such as Solid Waste and Recycling, Maintenance Operations, and Streets and Stormwater.

If you're interested in participating in the next Citizens Engagement Academy in the fall of 2027, applications are available.