Transparency Is Not Just a Catchword 
Online Auctions Pay Off for the City 
Paperless Billing Coming Soon 
The City was presented a Sunny Award a few months ago for excellence in government transparency on the web. The award came from the citizen watchdog group, Sunshine Review. This group has evaluated more than 6000 government websites and only 214 have met the criteria necessary to receive the award. The City became aware of
(More)…
Several years ago, the City disposed of surplus equipment through a local auction that would typically take a significant amount of staff time and resources to organize with very little return. Then in 2002 a student intern asked a good question, “Why don’t we sell things on eBay?” A little bit of research, and approval
(More)…
The City is pleased to announce efforts to provide utility customers with the option to “Go Green” by participating in a new paperless billing eStatement alternative. By signing up for eStatements, residents can receive the same information in their inbox rather than their mailbox. Statements mailed in May will contain information on the steps to register
(More)…
In recent years, sales tax revenue to fund the operations of the City has not been as robust, however the population continues to increase. The volatile nature of sales tax creates challenges for many City departments in terms of how to continue providing services at a high level, without additional funding. As an alternative to
(More)…
Welcome to the conversation. What are we talking about? Our Owasso. Yes, OUR Owasso. Yours, mine…ours. What about it? Where do we start? It’s an amazing city with so much going on. Owasso has great shopping, schools, businesses and services; but most importantly, it is home. Our home is our primary investment and our safe
(More)…
Years after inventing one of the greatest modern technologies, Alexander Graham Bell wrote, “Great discoveries and improvements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds.” While Graham spoke of his conviction that no one man could truly lay claim to the labors and ideas which helped launch the world into an age of instant communication, his
(More)…
In 1987, the City began promoting its vision of a future Owasso by using a simple phrase; “We want to become a Full-Service Community”. The need for comprehensive health care services was quietly identified as one of the major obstacles that stood in the way of achieving the “Full-Service Community” status. Now, even though it
(More)…
The City of Owasso annually reviews water and sewer rates to ensure it is generating adequate revenue to cover projected expenses for the coming fiscal year. While future economic trends cannot be predicted, the City must have the foresight to be prepared to support the more significant costs required to provide clean drinking water, and
(More)…
The future of Owasso lies in the hands of the young people growing up in our city. Isn’t it time we started encouraging them to share ideas about the potential they see in Owasso and listening to their vision of what the community should become? This blog posting is directed specifically to the people
(More)…
May 2010 marks the 5th anniversary of a volunteer community built project that has benefited thousands of children in and near Owasso. Funtastic Island is the second most visited park in Owasso, next to its neighbor, the Owasso Sports Complex. Several families and busloads of children can be observed nearly every day enjoying the playground,
(More)…
As one of the fastest growing cities in Oklahoma, Owasso has blossomed from a small, agricultural community into a lively, diverse city in which thousands of citizens make their home. Alongside this extraordinary growth in population, Owasso residents have seen an influx of business and retail opportunities as entrepreneurs and investors have seen the possibilities
(More)…
As part of an exciting new venture, Google has launched a contest which will result in the construction of an ultra-high speed broadband network in at least one city in the United States. The catch, however, is that cities and their citizens must prove to Google why a fiber network should be built in their
(More)…
Nearly a year ago, City staff began researching green initiatives in an attempt to create a plan which could guide the City toward a more environmentally friendly future.The result is the City’s Go Green! Report, which was presented to the City Council at the March 2, 2010 Council Meeting. The plan was developed with the
(More)…
If a strong public education system is the key ingredient to a strong community, then our future success depends upon the viability and strength of the various school systems encompassed within the region. The growth of Owasso and other cities in the Tulsa metro area has accurately been attributed to the quality of each community’s
(More)…
The Owasso Recycle Center and Convenience Station was built twenty five years ago damaged the reputation and image of our community and certainly made a bad impression upon visitors. The city’s proposed solution to this problem was to build a recycle center and convenience station where people could conveniently deposit bulky waste and recyclables. As
(More)…
Every community has a choice in how it will approach the many issues and problems they must face. In fact, it can easily be demonstrated that all levels of government are regularly challenged to meet the demands of the constituents. Regardless of whether those challenges relate to logistics, finances or policy, their impact is often
(More)…
If time travel were possible and we could see Owasso fifty years from now, what would our community look like? Some will imagine a city that is safe and clean with tree lined boulevards, public art, and well maintained homes and buildings. Others will see a city with stunning parks, and gathering places where individuals
(More)…
In recent months, Owasso’s Character Initiative has been a topic of great interest. This increased awareness has been stimulated most recently by a newspaper article and a television news story. Since implementation of the Character Initiative, it has not been uncommon to get emails and comments from citizens ranging from high praise of the Character
(More)…
Recently, an Owasso resident called 911 to report a police emergency. The caller later thanked one of the police officers who responded and told him how much she appreciated the quick response and professional approach that had been taken. To her surprise, the officer replied that he appreciated just as much the citizen’s help in
(More)…
On Tuesday, October 20, 2009, the City Council will consider a request to fund the initial planning of a comprehensive Quality of Life initiative. The initiative will be focused on planning projects that will enhance and add amenities that, when constructed, will offer residents a broader choice of individual and family activities. Additionally, a quality
(More)…
Imagine for a moment, a community that has one of the lowest juvenile crime rates in the country and even a lower incidence of youth drug/alcohol related issues. The resulting benefits to that community range from cost saving to life saving. Over the years, Owasso has witnessed several initiatives that have focused on the prevention
(More)…
“If you build it, they will come” is a phrase that has been overused, and often not supported by the facts. But, in the case of Metropolitan Commuter Rail Systems, it is indisputably documented that investment, growth, jobs and economic stability follow the establishment of and public investment in, such systems. Metro areas such as
(More)…
Did you know that a single ambulance transport could cost in excess of $600! Also, most insurance companies do not cover the entire cost of ambulance services. But, as a member of the Owasso Ambulance Subscription Program, you and the members of your household would pay nothing for the emergency service, even if you do
(More)…
Have you ever heard someone say “children are our future” and dismissed it as some overused cliché? Whether overused or not, it’s true. The children of today are the future doctors, teachers, judges, entrepreneurs, and leaders of our communities. Therefore, we must ask are we doing all that we can to prepare them for the
(More)…
The August Character Trait is Faith. The story below, author unknown, from the Character First website depicted the character trait so well that it is worth sharing. Journey of Faith Faith looked over her shoulder and saw a figure running up the trail. As she continued her climb, the figure caught up with her. “Greetings,”
(More)…
Citizens of Owasso deserve and have come to expect the highest quality of services and integrity from their city government. Too often in governmental organizations there is a gap between the services citizens expect and those delivered. As a result there has been increasing pressure for public officials to demonstrate a higher level of accountability
(More)…
The Owasso Police Department delivers services founded in our belief that we, as Public Servants have a responsibility to partner with citizens and solve problems using the community policing approach. Community policing is a philosophy, management style, and organizational design that promotes proactive problem solving and police-community partnerships to address the causes of crime
(More)…
A City’s policy towards growth and development is one of the most far-reaching aspects of municipal government. In Owasso, City leaders have found that well-planned growth is a key ingredient in the recipe for long-term economic success for our community. Such success is imperative in terms of residential value and quality of life, and also
(More)…
President Abraham Lincoln is quoted as stating “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.” If we adhere to that belief, then it is imperative that government be accountable, transparent and open to careful examination of all its dealings. Local government is in the best position of any body of
(More)…
As the day of our national independence approaches, it seems fitting to consider the ideals and beliefs upon which this country was founded. In an attempt to counter the discrimination and persecution that marred England’s religious and political sectors, our founders insured that liberty and equality would become America’s defining characteristics. Those two ideologies
(More)…
The most pressing question facing our community today is how to make Owasso a continuing attractive investment. That question should be the one that every homeowner, business, and parent continually ask. Owasso’s next generation will depend on today’s leaders to lay a strong base for their future. All growing cities have discussions relating to the
(More)…
In recent years, the Tulsa metropolitan area has experienced progressive economic growth and development resulting in an increasingly large sector of the population becoming centralized around this region. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission successfully implemented it’s “number conservation plan,” adding approximately 10 years to the utilization of the 918 area code, but it is of course
(More)…
The City of Owasso has been fortunate in seeing notable economic development and cultural growth in recent years, which can be attributed mainly to the intelligent allocation of resources and strategic planning that focuses on achieving impactful and significant long term goals, rather than becoming distracted by every immediate and temporary problem; and therein lies
(More)…
