Official Roundup: City Budget Workshops and Transit Service Alerts

Public Notice: City Council Budget Workshop and Public Safety Meetings

The Oklahoma City Council is convening today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for a specialized Budget Workshop. Unlike the standard bi-weekly business meetings, this session is dedicated to reviewing departmental funding requests and the fiscal framework for the upcoming year. Parallel to these financial discussions, the Community Public Safety Advisory Board is also scheduled to meet today to deliberate on local law enforcement initiatives and community-based safety programs. These meetings represent a critical phase in the city's annual planning cycle, determining the allocation of resources for essential municipal services.

OKC Streetcar Service Interruption and Shuttle Plan

A significant public service announcement has been issued regarding the Oklahoma City Streetcar system. Starting tomorrow, Wednesday, February 18, and continuing through Sunday, February 22, regular streetcar service will be suspended to facilitate construction work associated with the New Arena project. To maintain connectivity for downtown commuters and visitors, EMBARK will implement the following temporary measures:

• A bus shuttle service will replace the streetcar, running every 25 minutes along the Downtown Loop during regular operating hours.
• Riders can board the shuttle at any of the 22 designated streetcar platforms.
• The Bricktown Loop will be entirely inactive during this suspension period; only the Downtown Loop will be serviced by shuttles.
• Streetcar and shuttle transit remain free to the public through July 5, 2026.

Upcoming Changes to Bulky Waste Collection

The Oklahoma City Utilities Department is reminding residents of a major adjustment to the bulky waste collection schedule set to begin on March 1, 2026. Approximately 64,000 households, primarily located in the city’s central corridor from South I-240 to 122nd Street, will see changes to their assigned collection day or week. These adjustments are part of a route optimization study aimed at managing the city’s continued growth. Residents who received official notification postcards in late January are encouraged to verify their new schedules through the city's online portal before the March rollout.

Health and Legislative Public Service Update

State and local health advocates are gathered today for the annual health policy session at the Capitol. While this involves state-level legislative discussion, the outcomes frequently impact local municipal health funding and Medicaid services. Additionally, the Oklahoma City-County Health Department continues to provide active monitoring of seasonal respiratory data. Residents are advised to maintain current immunizations and check weekly wellness scores provided by the health department to stay informed on local health trends during the remainder of the winter season.