Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 06/01/2026
Title:
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Approval of and authorization to execute Resolution No. 1750, a resolution authorizing the appropriation of $12,000 to support the Early Settlement Center for Mediation Program and finding that the expenditure serves a valid public purpose
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Background:
The Early Settlement Center for Mediation is one of approximately 13 regional centers that comprise Oklahoma's statewide Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system. It was created under the Oklahoma Dispute Resolution Act (12 O.S. ?? 1801 et seq.) and administered by the Oklahoma Supreme Court's Administrative Office of the Courts, the program provides free, confidential, voluntary mediation services using trained, court-certified volunteer mediators.
The program helps parties resolve a wide variety of disputes outside of court, including small claims, civil matters, divorce and child custody issues, guardianship, neighbor disputes, landlord-tenant conflicts, parent-school disagreements, real estate matters, and other community or interpersonal conflicts. The goal is to deliver fair, effective, inexpensive, and expeditious resolutions that reduce court backlogs, lower litigation costs, and ease the emotional and financial burden on participants. The Tulsa-area center (which serves Broken Arrow residents) operates in Tulsa County, with additional eastern Oklahoma coverage through the Northeastern State University Early Settlement program. The attached six-page scanned materials appear to be the program's standard informational and funding-request packet.
Notably, the Early Settlement Center is open to all Oklahomans at no charge. This includes individuals, families, businesses, and organizations. Referrals may come from the parties themselves or from courts. It is especially beneficial for Broken Arrow residents, low-income parties, and anyone whose dispute would otherwise enter the municipal or district court system. All mediations are communi...
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