Public Works Committee Meeting — May 13, 2026

The Public Works Committee met to discuss two major agenda items: the proposed budget for the newly formed Tulsa Emergency Management Department (following the dissolution of the city-county TEMA), and a presentation from Healthy Minds Policy Initiative and Housing Solutions on the need for a coordinated system to address mental health and homelessness in Tulsa. The meeting included detailed questions from councilors and presentations from Commissioner Roberts (Public Safety) and Zach Stoikhoff (Healthy Minds) along with Mark Smith (Housing Solutions).

Discussion Items

• Proposed Emergency Operations Department Budget

  • Commissioner Roberts presented the FY27 budget request of $425,000, a $162,000 (61.6%) increase over the previous $263,000 allocation to the county TEMA. The new department will have three positions: a Director of Emergency Management, a Grants/Fiscal Compliance Assistant, and a Senior Administrative Assistant (already hired). Additional costs include a Ford F250 response vehicle, office supplies, training, and computer equipment.
  • The city and county formally dissolved TEMA on May 13, 2026, with assets split equitably based on historical contributions (city 53%, county 47%). The city retains the Emergency Operations Center in the police-courts building.
  • Commissioner Roberts explained that the split allows for direct accountability, tailored risk mitigation for urban needs, and faster decision-making. Previous concerns included a lack of clear oversight and the former director’s arrest, which opened discussions about independence.
  • Councilors expressed concerns about the timing (the dissolution was signed before budget approval), the return on investment, and whether a renegotiated contract could have achieved better outcomes. Councilor Decker noted that 85% of Tulsa County’s population is in the city and that many other municipalities already operate independently.
  • Councilor Lakin questioned the lack of choice, noting the city is now forced to fund the new department. Commissioner Roberts assured that the joint command structure will continue for regional disasters.
  • FY28 projections include an additional deputy director position ($113,000), bringing total staffing to four and total annual cost to approximately $465,000.

• Discussion with Healthy Minds Policy Initiative on Treatment Needs for Adults Experiencing Homelessness and Serious Mental Illness

  • Zach Stoikhoff presented a framework for a coordinated system spanning crisis response, treatment, housing supports, and outreach. He showed a color-coded chart: blue (strong, e.g., crisis diversion program), yellow (partial, e.g., street outreach), and red (missing, e.g., behavioral health medical respite, forensic ACT teams).
  • Key achievements: a 54% reduction in police responses to mental health calls, with 89% of such calls diverted to clinical alternatives, saving an estimated $488,000 annually.
  • A major gap: about 40% of mental health 911 calls go through EMSA (medical route) and are not yet covered by the diversion program. Scaling to full coverage would require an additional $1 million annually for Family & Children’s Services to add staff and mobile response teams.
  • Another critical need is a forensic assertive community treatment (FACT) team for individuals with serious mental illness, homelessness, and repeated criminal justice involvement. Such a team costs approximately $500,000 per team, with a 1.5x return on investment through reduced hospital and jail costs. A proposal has been developed but is not fully funded; partial city funding could leverage private dollars.
  • Mark Smith highlighted the housing continuum from shelter to permanent supportive housing, and noted that Safe Move Tulsa has achieved a 90% success rate moving people from encampments into housing, but those with severe co-occurring needs require more intensive interventions.
  • Councilors asked about the detailed cost breakdown, the structure of FACT teams, potential scaling plans, and the need for ROI analysis. Councilor Lakin requested information on the number of short-term crisis beds and partnerships for employment.
  • The presenters acknowledged that both upstream and acute interventions must be funded simultaneously, and that a multi-year scaling approach could be developed based on available city funding.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the discussions were informational in preparation for budget consideration.
• The committee heard the proposed emergency management budget and will consider it as part of the FY27 budget process.
• Councilors expressed interest in receiving a detailed ROI analysis and a phased scaling plan for the mental health and homelessness interventions, particularly regarding the COPS/EMSA integration and the FACT team proposal.
• The presentation from Healthy Minds and Housing Solutions will inform future budget decisions related to public safety and homelessness services.
• Commissioner Roberts will work with HR to post the emergency management director position after July 1, pending budget approval.