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Front (left to right) – Richard Carter, Wade McCaleb, Vice-Mayor Philip Tucker
Rear (left to right) – Craig Thurmond, Mayor Mike Lester
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The city of Broken Arrow is divided into four wards, which are redrawn periodically in an effort to keep a fairly even population distribution in each.
The City Council consists of one member from each of those wards and an at-large member. The five members then elect from their ranks a mayor and vice-mayor every two years (every odd-numbered year).
While council members from the four wards must live in that ward, all registered voters in the city are eligible to vote on each. Each member is eligible to serve four years, with elections held every two years. Those council spots are rotated, so that in one election there are three spots before voters and in the next only two.
Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of each month (effective March, 2008). Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall (220 S. 1st). They are open to the public, and a time is set aside at each meeting for anyone in the audience to address an issue not included on that meeting's agenda. Those wishing to speak to the Council, either about an agenda item or an item not on the agenda, must fill out a form giving information on their topic. Talks are limited to five minutes each. Forms must be turned in to the City Clerk before or during the meeting. These forms are available in the Council Chambers, at City Hall or on the web site.
Agendas for the meetings are posted on the doors (bulletin board outside the center doors) at City Hall, on the City's web site, and in the public libraries.
By clicking here, you can go to the full agenda packet, with all attachments, for the current meeting or the meeting just completed.
City Council Elections
By State law, the filing period for City Council is from 8 a.m. the first Monday in February until 5 p.m. on the following Wednesday. The Declaration of Candidacy for party nominees and independents must be filed with the County Election Board. Broken Arrow's City Council is non-partisan, which means there are no primary elections. But those running for office must, for at least six months prior to filing a declaration of candidacy, be a registered voter at an address within the ward or the municipality. Persons filing declarations of candidacy shall not be required to post a filing fee, nor shall they be required to file petitions supporting their candidacies.
They must file notarized forms indicating their name, residence and mailing address, office sought, date of birth, party affiliation (if any), precinct and county where registered, an oath affirming the candidate is qualified for the office being sought and qualified to hold the office, if elected, and any additional information the Election Board secretary deems necessary.
The Election Schedule
City Council Election -- first Tuesday in April (Odd-numbered years)
City Council Filing Period, 8:00 a.m.first Monday in February, through 5:00 p.m. first Wednesday in February
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