The Chandler Municipal Authority awarded a sewer line project worth $507,902 to Orr Construction at its regular meeting on June 9.
The project is part of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) expansion of theTurnerTurnpike and involves the relocation of sewer lines. This project and another that is to be awarded next month to relocate water lines near the interstate will be paid for fully by the OTA.
Robert Mullins from SRB Engineering gave an update to the CMA on the ongoing water treatment plant expansion, saying that there is construction going on at the site. Some major components are expected to ship in June, with others that were originally set to ship in November now looking to go out in the last week or two of October.
After, the CMA voted to approve a pay app from Orr Construction for the project in the amount of $323,924.25.
A public hearing was held on the CMA budget for the next fiscal year. The CMA approved the budget of $11,477,669.16. City Manager Jason Orr commented on why there is more spending from the CMA Cap Fund this year than next year.
“The money is there, we just don’t have projects lined up yet. As soon as we get past all of these current projects, we’ll start spending more money on the streets and cool stuff like that,” he said.
Orr added that just because they insert something into the budget next year doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to get to it.
“We’re going to continue to watch the cash, the amount of cash that we have, and the cash balance, and either move forward with stuff, or slow down if we need to,” he said. “We did get all the department head requests in there for this coming year. And I’m confident that we’ll be able to meet that goal because our sales tax numbers continue to increase.”
Other items approved by the CMA include the ratification of claims paid in May of $298,442.93 a pay app of $459,420.00 to W.L. McNatt and Company for the McClanahan Park Project, a pay app of $1,136,247.50 to Orr Construction for the wastewater treatment plant expansion to be paid by the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, a final invoice of $17,000.00 for the 66 Man Statute for Mc-Clanahan Park, an invoice of$8,675.00forthe66Man pole mount from GS Signs and an invoice to HCGC, LLC for $3,078.90 for the McClanahan Park Project.
TheChandlerCityCouncil, which convened immediately after the CMA, heard from Freedom Operating Company about possibly drilling four oil wells on city-owned property north of Chandler Lake. The Council voted to table the item until it could be further explored.
Mayor Kent McVey voiced his opposition to the proposal, saying the land the wells would go on is valuable and could potentially be used someday to expand the Chandler Municipal Golf Course. However, he felt it was in the best interests of the citizens of Chandler to at least look into it a bit more.
The Council approved the appointment of Diann Herrmann to the Planning Commission. Herrmann will replace Vivian Sage, who is stepping down. They also approved the release of a small portion of an easement located at 800 Tilghman Drive. Part of a building was accidentally built into the easement years ago.
Two public hearings on potentially dilapidated properties were tabled.
The City Council then held a public hearing on the operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27 of $8,034,923.15. Orr pointed out an increase in the budget for the golf course, explaining that the new superintendent was given a raise, while the old superintendent would be staying on part-time temporarily to help.TheCouncilapproved the budget.
A resolution on amending the fee schedule was tabled until next month, with City Attorney Larry Lenora asking that they re-evaluate some fines and costs that exceeded the maximum amount set by the state. There was also discussion on the fee for renting the pool when more than one lifeguard is needed.
In the consent agenda, the Council approved the renewal of an agreement with the Interpretative Center, an interlocal cooperative agreement with Circuit Engineering District #4 for sign shop services, the reappointment of Mike Pieper and Erik Frost on the Chandler Regional Airport Authority Board for four-year terms, a budget amendment of $19,221.33 for the library department and the reappointment of Dean Evans and Heather Ledford to the Chandler Economic Development Authority for three-year terms.