City of Norman

What City of Norman does

The City of Norman is a municipal government entity serving a population of 128,026 (2020 census) in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, operating as the third most populous city in the state and the second-largest in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Founded during the Land Run of 1889 and formally incorporated in 1891, it operates under a Council-Manager form of government with eight ward representatives and a mayor. The city delivers a comprehensive suite of municipal services including water/wastewater utilities (via the Norman Utilities Authority), solid waste management, public safety (Norman Fire Department and Norman Police Department), parks and recreation across 65+ facilities, fare-free public transit via EMBARK Norman and Norman On-Demand microtransit, animal welfare through a dedicated 13,246 sq ft center, and development/permitting functions. Service delivery occurs across City Hall (201 W Gray St), departmental offices, online portals, and mobile applications serving residents, businesses, and visitors.

The city's technology stack is built on a hub-and-spoke digital architecture anchored by normanok.gov, with specialized sub-portals including the MyUtility Customer Portal (launched June 24, 2026 as the final phase of the multi-year Meter Infrastructure Program) and the Self-Service Portal for permits and business licenses (introduced November 2023). Underlying technologies include Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for modernized water metering, a Centracs-based centralized traffic signal management system controlling more than three-fourths of city traffic signals, 50+ miles of fiber optic cable, and an Esri ArcGIS-based GIS platform supporting interactive mapping, ward maps, construction maps, and open data access. The mobile ecosystem includes EMBARK Norman for real-time bus tracking and Flowbird for parking payments, with multilingual website support across eight languages.

Funding comes primarily from an 8.75% total sales tax (Oklahoma is the only state where cities depend almost entirely on sales tax for general operations), supplemented by subscription-based utility charges (tiered water rates of $3.46-$9.51 per 1,000 gallons plus a $10.90 base fee; flat-rate sewer at $2.70 per 1,000 gallons plus a $5.00 maintenance fee; $14.00 residential trash), transaction-based fees (permits, parking, transfer station), a dedicated 0.125% Public Transit Sales Tax approved by 70.4% of voters in 2019, and voter-approved capital programs (Norman Forward). Customer segments include residents (primary), businesses (primary), and visitors (secondary), addressed via a horizontal segmentation approach covering utility services, development services, recreational amenities, and community programs.

Name

City of Norman

Legal name

City of Norman

Website

https://normanok.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The City of Norman is a municipal government serving 128,026 residents in Oklahoma, delivering utility services, public safety, parks and recreation, fare-free transit, animal welfare, and permitting through digital portals and physical service centers under a Council-Manager governance model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Parking Lots and Garages (81293)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Sanitary Services (4950), Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF)

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Public utility services
• Waste management services
• Public transit operations
• Parks and recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

Norman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Sales Tax Revenue: Primary revenue source at 8.75% total rate. Distributed as: 4.5% to State of Oklahoma, 0.125% to Cleveland County Jail, 2.3% to City General Fund, 0.7% to Capital Improvements, 0.5% to Public Safety, 0.5% to Norman Forward projects, 0.125% to Public Transit. Oklahoma is the only state where cities depend almost entirely on sales tax for general operations.
2. Water Utility Services: Residential water rates include $10.90 base fee plus tiered consumption charges ($3.46-$9.51 per 1,000 gallons). Commercial rates at $4.69-$7.04 per 1,000 gallons. Additional fees include Capital Improvement Charge and high usage surcharges.
3. Sewer Services: $5.00 base rate plus $2.70 per 1,000 gallons plus $5.00 maintenance fee. Residential rates calculated yearly on winter average consumption; commercial calculated monthly at 80% of water consumption.
4. Trash and Sanitation: Residential trash service at $14.00 per unit, commercial at $19.64. Recycling at $3.00 per unit. Additional charges for Oklahoma Solid Waste Management Act.
5. Permits and Licenses: Revenue from building permits, garage sale permits ($10), special event permits, business licenses, and various development-related fees.
6. Transfer Station Fees: Transfer station accepts extra trash at $13 for up to 600 pounds for city residents with utility bill; non-residents pay $80. Bulky collection service available for $25.
7. Parking Fees: Metered parking revenue from on-street and city-owned parking lots. Pay stations accept coins, cards, and mobile payments via Flowbird app.
8. Transit Fares: City of Norman transit service operates fare-free. Norman Express commuter bus to OKC charges $3.00 per adult, $1.50 reduced rate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The City of Norman is a municipal government providing essential public services to residents, businesses, and visitors within its city limits. Core services include water and sewer utilities, solid waste and recycling collection, public safety (fire and police), parks and recreation across 65+ facilities, fare-free public transit (EMBARK Norman), animal welfare, development and permitting, and community programs. These services are delivered through in-person offices, online self-service portals, mobile applications, and physical infrastructure.

Product overview

The City of Norman operates as a municipal government providing digital and physical services through a unified website platform supplemented by specialized portals. The core digital offering is the official normanok.gov website, which serves as the primary access point for all city services. Key sub-portals include the MyUtility Customer Portal (for water utilities management) and the Self-Service Portal (for permits, licenses, and development services). The city's service portfolio spans utility management (water, sewer, sanitation), parks and recreation (65+ facilities), animal welfare, public transit (EMBARK Norman), online payments, GIS/mapping, and special event permitting. The product architecture follows a hub-and-spoke model where the main website aggregates access to department-specific services and specialized customer-facing portals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EMBARK Norman: Bus transit services operated by the City of Norman providing access to various destinations including shopping, businesses, neighborhoods, recreation, government services, and medical services.
• Norman On-Demand
• MyUtility Customer Portal
• Norman Animal Welfare
• Norman Forward
• AIM Norman

Products and services

• City of Norman Official Website (normanok.gov) Primary digital platform providing residents, businesses, and visitors access to city services, information, news, departments, online payments, permits, and utilities. Available in nine languages.
• MyUtility Customer Portal Online customer portal for Norman Utilities Authority customers providing secure 24/7 access to account information, advanced meter consumption data, bill payment, payment history, downloadable water usage analytics, and leak alert notifications. Part of the Norman Meter Infrastructure Program (MIP).
• Self-Service Portal Digital portal for permit applications, business licenses, project submittals, open records requests, special event applications, code complaints, and development services.
• Online Payments System Digital payment platform enabling residents and businesses to pay city utility bills, municipal court citations, and purchase permits and licenses online.
• Water Utility Services Residential and commercial water service with $10.90 base fee plus tiered consumption charges ($3.46-$9.51 per 1,000 gallons for residential; $4.69-$7.04 per 1,000 gallons for commercial). Includes Capital Improvement Charge, high usage surcharges, and low income assistance rate.
• Sewer Services Sewer service with $5.00 base rate plus $2.70 per 1,000 gallons plus $5.00 maintenance fee. Residential rates calculated yearly on winter average consumption; commercial calculated monthly at 80% of water consumption. Low income discount available on maintenance fee.
• Sanitation and Waste Management Services Curbside pickup of trash, yard waste, and recycling; bulky waste collection; seasonal city-wide cleanups; compost facility; transfer station; and household hazardous waste disposal. Residential trash $14.00 per unit, commercial $19.64; recycling $3.00 per unit. Three satellite recycling drop-off locations.
• EMBARK Norman Transit Services Public bus transit including fixed-route service, Norman On-Demand microtransit (via Via platform) for evenings and Sundays, and paratransit services. City routes are fare-free; Norman Express commuter bus to OKC is $3.00 adult / $1.50 reduced.
• Parking Services Metered on-street parking and city-owned parking lots. Pay stations accept coins, cards, and mobile payments via the Flowbird app.
• Parks and Recreation Services Operates over 65 parks and facilities including recreation centers, Young Family Athletic Center, Adult Wellness & Education Center, Westwood Golf Course, Westwood Family Aquatic Center, and Westwood Tennis. Offers programs for all ages including sports, fitness, and community events.
• Norman Animal Welfare Center 13,246 square foot facility providing animal sheltering, adoption services, spay/neuter programs, trap-neuter-return services, lost and found animal management, and foster programs. Serves nearly 2,000 animals annually with 90%+ live release rate.
• Development Services and Permitting Plan review, building permits, construction inspections, certificate of occupancy issuance, contractor licensing, and development services for residential and commercial projects within the city. Includes garage sale permits ($10) and special event permits.
• Special Events Permitting Permit system for festivals, parades, film productions, street closures, and large public gatherings, administered by the Community and Business Relations Division. Includes noise variance permits, vendor licensing, alcohol sales permits, and temporary structure (tents/stages) permits.
• Interactive GIS and Mapping Services GIS Services Division provides interactive mapping applications, city council ward maps, construction maps, open data portals, and downloadable GIS data for public use via ArcGIS platform.
• Sooner Theatre Historic performance venue managed by the Norman Parks and Recreation Department at 101 East Main Street, supporting performing arts programming and community events.
• Fire Department Services Fire protection and emergency services delivered by the Norman Fire Department, including Fire Prevention services.
• Police Department Services Law enforcement and public safety services delivered by the Norman Police Department, including non-emergency response (405-321-1444) and emergency 911 services.
• Municipal Court Services Municipal Court processing of city ordinance violations and citations, with online payment options through the Municipal Online Payments platform.
• Environmental Resilience and Sustainability Services Programs and services delivered by the Division of Environmental Resilience and Sustainability, including the Clean Neighborhood Project, pollinator protection initiatives with Oklahoma Monarch Society, and volunteer programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90+% animal welfare live release rate achieved through community engagement
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Oklahoma Monarch SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2026Norman and Oklahoma Monarch Society launched a pollinator protection initiative to promote pollinator conservation in the community. This partnership focuses on environmental conservation efforts within the city.
• EMBARK NormancoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBus transit services for Norman are operated by EMBARK Norman, providing access to shopping, businesses, neighborhoods, recreation, government services, and medical services throughout the city.
• EMBARK OKCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOperates Norman Express commuter bus (Route 024, formerly Sooner Express) connecting Norman to Oklahoma City. Single trip fare is $3.00 per adult.
• University of Oklahoma (CART)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity of Oklahoma offers Campus Area Rapid Transit (CART) shuttle services. City of Norman's bus routes include stops on Jenkins Ave and Elm Ave providing transition points for riders using both systems.
• Norman Arts CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Norman Arts Council for Sooner Theatre improvements and arts center feasibility study, promoting collaboration among nonprofit arts organizations.
• TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust)minorOthersAwarded $598,000 TSET Grant for new accessible playground, supporting health and wellness initiatives in Norman parks.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• City of Oklahoma City: State capital and largest OK city (~700K), operating OCWUT (water utilities) and MAPS-driven capital programs. Regional incumbent whose service standards and capital approaches influence peer benchmarks.
• City of Tulsa: Oklahoma's second-largest city (~410K) with a broader municipal portfolio including water/sewer, stormwater, and an in-house transit agency. Larger incumbent in the same state regulatory environment.

Direct peers

• City of Broken Arrow: Oklahoma's fourth-largest city (~115K residents) operating a comparable full-service municipal model including utilities, parks/recreation, and public safety. Strong comparability on budget structure and service breadth.
• City of Springfield: Mid-size Missouri city (~170K) operating City Utilities of Springfield, a municipally owned multi-utility (electric, water, gas, transit). Comparable scale and integrated utility operating model.
• City of Lawton: Oklahoma city of similar size (~90K) with full municipal utility operation (water, sewer, sanitation), parks, and transit. Direct comparable for utility rate design and CIP execution.
• City of Moore: Smaller OKC-metro suburb (~63K) but operates similar utilities, sanitation, and parks services under the same state tax framework. Useful smaller-scale peer for unit economics benchmarking.
• City of Denton: Texas university town (~150K) anchored by University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University, with municipally owned electric, water, and wastewater utilities. Highly comparable university-town operating model.
• City of Edmond: Adjacent Oklahoma city in the OKC metro with comparable population (~95K), similar Council-Manager governance, and overlapping municipal service portfolio (utilities, parks, transit). Closest structural peer for benchmarking service delivery.
• City of Midwest City: OKC-adjacent city (~58K) with municipal utilities, parks, and recreation services. Comparable service mix and similarly dependent on regional economic dynamics.
• City of Lawrence: Kansas university town (~95K) anchored by the University of Kansas, with comparable parks/recreation and municipal service profile. Useful peer for university-anchored municipal economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cityofnormanok
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/cityofnormanok
• Facebookfacebook.com/cityofnormanok
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecityofnorman

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City of Norman