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City Beat
Your city, your news
February 15, 2022
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Welcome to City Beat, a free weekly e-newsletter containing the latest news and information about the City of Bartlesville and related topics. Get yours delivered each week! http://bit.ly/2eaFETx
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Sales Tax Report
February tax collection highest on record
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February sales tax collections hit in excess of $2 million — the highest on record — which is up 13.2 percent over the same period last year, Chief Financial Officer and City Clerk Jason Muninger said Monday.
"Our February collection is our highest sales tax collection on record," Muninger said. "We received $2,023,893, which is up 13.2 percent from our prior February, which is around $236,000 over our previous year's collection."
Muninger said collections are up 13.8 percent for the fiscal year so far.
"Currently, we're up 13.8 percent higher than last year's collection through the first eight months of the fiscal year, and we are 14.2 above our budget year's anticipation, which is about $1.9 million over what we had anticipated."
The increase continues an upward trend for returns over the past year, and in particular the last eight months.
"We've had above-average returns for about the past year, consistently hitting $1.8 million to $1.9 million in collections each month," Muninger said. "I've looked at the data going back to 2015 and every month we've had this fiscal year has out-paced every month during that time."
He said the February report is the second of two that represent holiday sales.
"The January and February reports reflect holiday sales, which are typically our two largest months," he said. "With January up 15.7 percent over the previous year, these totals combined are proof that Bartlesville experienced a very productive shopping season."
Muninger said the increases are likely due to an influx of federal and tribal stimulus funds, inflation and more people shopping in Bartlesville.
"It really does make a difference," he said. "And it is certainly an indication of our strong and ever-growing retail presence."
Muninger said officials acknowledge the trend will have to end eventually.
"We know a correction will occur at some point — we just don't know when," he said, noting the increases will likely make budget projections for next year "one of the most challenging years yet."
"It would be nice to continue at this pace indefinitely, but we know that's not possible," he said. "So we will continue to show fiscal restraint in our projections for Fiscal Year 2022-23."
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Monday trash routes amended for holiday
City offices closed Monday in observance of President's Day
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City offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 21, and Monday trash routes will be amended to Wednesday, Feb. 23, next week due to the President's Day holiday.
"If your trash is normally picked up on Mondays, you will need to have it at the collection point by 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, for us to collect it next week," said Public Works Director Keith Henry.
Police and fire will continue with no interruptions. Offices will reopen and services will resume as normally scheduled on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
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Bartlesville earns 'Film Friendly' certification |
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The Oklahoma Film + Music Office, in conjunction with Visit Bartlesville, announced recently the city has achieved "film friendly" certification after completing the requirements for OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program.
“Since 2010, Visit Bartlesville has been proud to support everything from studio productions to independent films and television projects with the community welcoming everyone from Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio to ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’,” said Maria Gus, executive director of Visit Bartlesville and Film Liaison for the City of Bartlesville. “While it has been a privilege to represent Oklahoma in our efforts, the greater reward has been to help Oklahoma filmmakers, talent and crew develop more opportunities to work and do what they love in Oklahoma. This film friendly designation recognizes our important journey with OF+MO, and we are eager to work together to bring even more attention to the great people and places of Oklahoma.”
OF+MO officials say Bartlesville is an easy sell.
“We continually hear from filmmakers who’ve worked in the area how impressed they’ve been not only with the picturesque locations and landscapes, but how appreciative they are for the warm welcome and support they’ve received from the community of Bartlesville,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “Likewise, we applaud the hard work of Visit Bartlesville and their city leadership, and we are proud to officially certify Bartlesville as our latest film friendly community.”
Home to the OKM Music Festival, Bartlesville has been a supporter of the state’s film, television and music industries for over a decade, and has hosted or supported production on a number projects, including “To The Wonder,” “August: Osage County,” “American Gods,” “To The Stars,” “Joey & Ella” and, most recently, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the largest motion picture to be produced in state history.
“Bartlesville has been extremely fortunate to have hosted a number of productions over the years, and we’re pleased to have developed a great working relationship with the film industry,” said City Manager Mike Bailey. “The film industry is growing in the State of Oklahoma, and Bartlesville is excited to continue to be a part of it.”
For more information on OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community program, including a list of certified film friendly communities, visit okfilmmusic.org/filmfriendly.
Information courtesy of Visit Bartlesville and Oklahoma Film + Music Office.
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Employees of the Month
City Manager Mike Bailey congratulates Parks Department Equipment Operator Ed Lewis, left, and Police Officer Terry Woods, right, after they were named January and February Employees of the Month by the City's Employee Advisory Committee. Lewis was recognized for his role in assisting a grieving family during a service at White Rose Cemetery, while Woods was honored for his leadership and volunteerism with the police department's Explorer and Police Reserves programs. Lewis and Woods received $25 in Chamber Bucks, a $25 Hideaway gift certificate and eight hours of special vacation. To nominate a City of Bartlesville Employee of the Month, email information to [email protected].
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Jobs/open positions
The City of Bartlesville is currently accepting applications for the following positions:
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Board, Committee & Commission Openings
The City of Bartlesville has numerous boards, committees and commissions that are driven by citizen volunteers. All citizens are encouraged and welcome to apply.
Board applications are available online and in the city manager’s office, located on the second floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. Applications are kept on file for two years. To view a complete list, see Boards, Committees & Commissions.
The City currently has openings on the following committees/boards:
- Two openings on the White Rose Cemetery Board
- One opening on the Park Board
- Two openings on the Sewer System Improvements Oversight Committee
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Do you have questions you would like to see answered or addressed in City Beat? Let us know! Email [email protected], attn. City Beat.
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Kelli Williams, Editor
401 S. Johnstone Ave.
Bartlesville, OK 74003
918.338.4132
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