The OML Podcast

Oklahoma’s Municipal Finance Problem Nov 12, 2025

OML Executive Director Mike Fina discusses the unique challenge Oklahoma cities and towns face when it comes to funding their budgets and what an effort to reform the state’s system could look like in the months to come.

ARPA allocations to cities Dec 08, 2021

Mike Fina talks with Christian Rinehart, OML's associate general counsel, about the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds to cities and towns.

Bethany Mayor Nikki Lloyd Oct 04, 2021

Nikki Lloyd, the mayor of Bethany, visits with OML Executive Director Mike Fina about her first year in office, new developments in Bethany, and navigating the challenges faced by most Oklahoma mayors.

Christopher Bruehl, Director of Appointments at Office of Gov. Kevin Stitt Sep 27, 2021

OML executive director Mike Fina talks with Christopher Bruehl, Director of Appointments at Office of Gov. Kevin Stitt, about his job in the administration and how he goes about selecting appointment recommendations for the governor.

Coronavirus relief funds coming for cities and towns Aug 11, 2021

Billions of dollars in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds are coming to Oklahoma. We discuss when city leaders can expect this round of funding to be available, how they will go about ensuring their cut, and what the money can be spent on.

Federal infrastructure plan could be a boost for cities and towns Aug 03, 2021

Ben and Mike discuss the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, a $550 billion package that would be the largest investment in infrastructure in history, replacing lead water pipes in our schools, connecting more homes to high-speed internet and introducing additional communities to reliable passenger rail.

The women mayors of Oklahoma Jul 02, 2021

OML Executive Director Mike Fina spent part of this year's annual mayor's conference catching up with some of Oklahoma's female mayors to ask about their experiences and attempts to work together.

Kim Peterson, Mayor of Guymon Jun 07, 2021

Mike Fina talks with Kim Peterson, the mayor of Guymon and also the new president of OML.

American Rescue Plan is coming to municipalities Apr 26, 2021

Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities, talks with OML's Mike Fina about the American Rescue Plan and what municipal leaders should expect.

Kelly Williams, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Mar 08, 2021

Kelly Williams, director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, talks with Mike Fina about her role, the state's booming medical marijuana industry and its impact on cities and towns.

Brian Mauck, American Fidelity Feb 24, 2021

Mike Fina talks with Brian Mauck from American Fidelity, which has served as OML's consultant through Municipal Health Solutions.

Rich Hess of Health Care Highways Feb 24, 2021

Mike Fina visits with Rich Hess, vice president of business development for Health Care Highways, which is the network administrator for Municipal Health Solutions.

The need for public safety districts and Senate Bill 838 Feb 07, 2021

Mike Fina discusses the critical need for the Legislature to approve public safety districts and Senate Bill 838.

Reviewing municipal government's role in fighting COVID-19 Feb 01, 2021

Mike Fina welcomed Edmond city councilman Josh Moore to discuss how he and his city responded to COVID-19 over the past year and what challenges faced cities and towns across the state.

The challenges and opportunities in retail development Dec 28, 2020

OML Executive director Mike Fina talks with Aaron Farmer, president of The Retail Coach, about the impact COVID-19 has had on small businesses and what city leaders should expect in the months and years to come.

Fina and Farmer also discuss what is expected in the next round of federal relief funding and an expected surge in retail sales in 2021.

“We might be talking about one of the best retail years we’ve ever had,” Farmer said.

Vaccine distribution and what cities can expect Dec 21, 2020

In this episode, Mike Fina talks with Mendy Spohn, a regional director for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, about the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, which began earlier this month. Spohn talked about where city officials fall on the state’s vaccine priority list and the importance of protecting those working in water, sewer, and other municipal departments. Spohn also offered advice to city leaders on how to stay up to date on the vaccine distribution in the months to come.

How Municipal Health Solutions is helping cities with health coverage Dec 01, 2020

Oklahoma Municipal League Executive Director Mike Fina talks with Nancee Morris, OML Director of Operations and Municipal Health Solutions Plan Administrator, about how OML is helping cities and towns reduce health insurance costs.

The evolving policies of medical marijuana Nov 22, 2020

Just a few years since voters legalized medical marijuana, Oklahoma municipalities continue to adapt. OML Executive Director Mike Fina talks with Daniel McClure, OML's Deputy General Counsel, about how medical marijuana policy continues to evolve.

Recapping the 2020 election results with AJ Griffin Nov 05, 2020

AJ Griffin, a former Republican member of the Oklahoma State Senate and current director of government and community affairs at Paycom, joins OML executive director Mike Fina to discuss the 2020 election and the results in Oklahoma.

Julie Bisbee, executive director for TSET Oct 10, 2020

On this episode of the OML Podcast Mike Fina speaks with Julie Bisbee, executive director for the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), about the variety of programs the trust manages, its resources for cities and towns, and an upcoming state question that could impact TSET's funding.

Mark Thomas, Oklahoma Press Association Sep 28, 2020

On this week's episode, Oklahoma Municipal League Executive Director Mike Fina speaks with Mark Thomas of the Oklahoma Press Association about recent changes to open meeting laws that impact cities and towns across the state.

Norman Mayor Breea Clark Sep 18, 2020

Mike Fina, executive director of the OML, speaks with Norman Mayor Breea Clark about how her city handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike opens the episode with a review of major COVID-19 milestones over the last several months and its impact on Oklahoma cities and towns.

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