Claremore, Oklahoma Development News
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City of Claremore City Council Meeting 7-20-26 6:00pm
Published: Jul 20, 2026
City Council Approves Participation in OK Class Investment Program
The City Council discussed and approved Resolution No. 2026-8, which approves entering into an interlocal agreement to establish the Oklahoma Cooperative Liquid Assets Security System (OK Class). This system allows counties and cities to pool their investments, providing a higher yield on taxpayer funds compared to traditional methods like CDs. The program is designed to offer better returns and is supported by the state legislature and local treasurers. Claremore's analysis showed that participating in OK Class could have yielded approximately $8,000 more than a recent $3 million CD investment. While the city will maintain diverse investment strategies, OK Class provides an additional option to maximize returns. The agreement operates similarly to a bank account in terms of accessibility for fund transfers, with funds available by 2 PM on the same day. Most existing investments are expected to be moved into OK Class upon expiration due to its superior yield.
Claremore Police Department Achieves Re-Accreditation
The Claremore Police Department was recognized for its re-accreditation, maintaining its status as an accredited agency since 2004. This marks their 22nd year of compliance with the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, which demonstrates adherence to national best practices and standards. Out of nearly 600 law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma, only 21 are recognized as accredited large agencies, placing Claremore in an elite group. The accreditation process involves evaluating written policies, procedures, and operations to ensure they meet statutory requirements and best practices. This program is endorsed by CLET, OMAC, the OML, and the City Management Association of Oklahoma. Chief Steve Cox and Accreditation Manager Jamie Staring were specifically acknowledged for their roles. The department received an award of accreditation and commendations for professionalism, accountability, and transparency.
City Investment Policy Updated to Include OK Class Program
The City Council reviewed and updated the city's investment policy. The policy was revised to reflect current ordinances and to incorporate the new Oklahoma Class (OK Class) investment program, which was recently approved. The update involved removing references to outdated ordinances and formalizing the allowance for participation in OK Class. While the investment policy has not seen significant changes in the past 10-15 years, this update ensures it remains current and aligns with new financial opportunities. Minor changes were made throughout the document, including the removal of antiquated language like 'he'. The policy will likely be reviewed more frequently going forward.
CPWA Approves Financing Agreement for New Equipment
The Clan More Public Works Authority (CPWA) was authorized to enter into a financing agreement with Armstrong Bank for the purchase of new equipment. The agreement is a five-year lease-purchase totaling approximately $1.6 million, with annual payments of about $345,000 at an interest rate of 3.99%. This financing will cover the replacement of refuse trucks and a back truck used for underground work. The equipment is expected to have a lifespan of seven to ten years or more. This non-bank qualified revenue note does not affect the city's bond rating. Armstrong Bank was selected after shopping rates from multiple institutions, offering the best terms. The current refuse trucks and the VAC truck will be replaced, with the current VAC truck being retained for use by power and light, as well as water and sewer departments.
Fire Department Agrees to One-Year Collective Bargaining Agreement
The City Council approved a one-year collective bargaining agreement with the fire department. This agreement differs from previous multi-year contracts, as requested by the city manager to stagger agreements and manage cash flow, especially given recent significant raises for non-bargaining unit employees and the ongoing police agreement. The fire department leadership agreed to this one-year term, with the understanding that most personnel would not receive a raise this year. However, adjustments were made to the compensation for five specific positions: three battalion chiefs, the training officer, and the fire marshal. These adjustments aim to incentivize advancement into administrative roles, as current compensation levels were not sufficiently encouraging for these higher positions. Additionally, the maximum pay scale for the fire department was extended from 17 years to 21 years, allowing for incremental increases over a longer period. The overall impact of this year's agreement on the budget is estimated to be around $70,000. The city manager expressed gratitude for the fire department's cooperation and acknowledged the positive shift in culture and relationship with the bargaining unit.
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